The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2010)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest has enough sting to be a satisfying conclusion. Better. Much better. Alfredson has dealt with all the violence and plot building from its predecessor, and now is able to focus on conspiracy theories and courtroom drama. Whilst it still lacks the intensity from the first film, this concluding chapter has adapted with its story and seamlessly shifts in genre. Whilst Salander is recovering in hospital, an illegal group within the Swedish Security Services conspire against her so that she is institutionalised again during the trial. Simultaneously, Blomkvist is unearthing the secrets of this group in an attempt to prove Salander's innocence. All the breadcrumbs from the previous films have been precariously positioned for this heated courtroom battle. Nearly every plot detail is utilised for the sake of justice. Even the hidden camera recording of "that" horrific ordeal from the first film is used in court, forcing you to simply shout "take that, Teleborian!". The narrative feels consistently involving, making you question the legitimacy of the "Section" and the accusations they deliver. The journalistic thrills as Blomkvist investigates the conspiracy theory is palpable, but more importantly realistically threatening. Hired gunmen attempting to murder him in broad daylight. Perhaps I've adjusted to Alfredson's style, but this certainly had more cinematic flair. It's a satisfying conclusion from a plot perspective, although there are some issues. Niedermann was an underused character and did not progress the story. You could remove his character and the film would remain the same. The intense chemistry between Nyqvist and Rapace, although still performing excellently, has now dissipated. Consequently this loses the enigmatic quality that Salander had, and my fascination for the character rapidly dwindles. Much appreciation for that mohawk though. Rapace pulls off the grungy attire well. Still, the closing chapter is an improvement over its predecessor with an engaging realistic plot that should satisfy most audiences.

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