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The Girl Who Played With Fire

The Girl Who Played With Fire

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The sequel to the fantastic The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, based on the second novel of Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson’s best-selling trilogy.

Lisbeth Salander (again played by Noomi Rapace) is a wanted woman. Two Millennium magazine journalists about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and Salander's prints are on the weapon. She returns to Sweden, after a year abroad, with the authorities after her. Meanwhile, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), editor-in-chief of Millennium, will not believe what he hears on the news. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before the police, and before she is cornered.

Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Jörgen Berthage, Tanja Lorentzon, Sofia Ledarp

Directed by Daniel Alfredson ('Varg')

Written by Jonas Frykberg (based on the novel by Stieg Larsson)

World Cinema, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Adaptation | 2hr 9mins | Rated (R16) | contains violence, sexual violence, offensive language and content that may disturb | Origin: Sweden, Germany, Denmark | Language: Swedish, Italian, French with English subtitles

Flicks review

  • There are few cinematic heroines who can claim to possess such raw edge and fragile spirit as Lisbeth Salander. But not even the revengeful protagonist of Stieg Larsson's second novel can stand wearing as much war paint as star Noomi Rapace. When torturing her remorseless criminal victims, she paints her face joker-style. Not long after her donning a blonde wig in the opening scenes, it feels a bit silly. There's a Hollywood remake in the works but it might not be necessary, judging by some of this film's familiar conventions. One of the baddies can't feel pain – if that's not an excuse to make a human monster on screen, what is?

    That's not to say this fiery flick isn't worth seeing. There's still that sense of edge-of-seat, perpectual action, the graphic scenes of violence are more graphic and the poignant little girl lost Salander showed in the first film is ramped up thanks to an intense performance by Rapace, despite her cartoonish make-up. The film just doesn't quite live up to the excitement and surprise value of the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

    Part of the reason could be the new director at the helm, Daniel Alfredson, who originally shot this for TV. Although he mostly stays true to the feel of the first film, the story here is much more disjointed – episodic if you like – as journalist Michael Nyqvist (Mikael Blomkvist) and Salander operate as estranged, barely connected individuals. That's a shame because their unlikely chemistry was a pleasure to watch in the first film.

    By Rebecca Barry, Flicks.co.nz

 Our Rating       3

The Peoples voice

  • Loved it!

     5

    I loved this movie. The casting is brilliant as these actors really play their parts well. The cinematography is fantastic. The story is just amazing. I think Hollywood has a lot to learn from these movies.

    By ordel

  • Disappointing

     2

    There seems to be two camps in the voting those who read the book and are disappointed and those who haven't and like this movie. I read the book, the movie is a poor adaptation and skips over vital details. It's like they knew they would be onto a winner after the first movie and didn't try very hard. Shame, I won't go to the 3rd sequel.

    By Steve

  • Great film, enjoyed it just as much if not more than the first

     5

    Haven't read the books, but I will now. Edge of seat stuff. Brilliant. Come on Flicks, its worth at least 4 stars surely?

    By David

  • must see

     5

    I haven't read the books so my eyes are fresh. Great movie that treats the viewer as if they have intelligence. Surprising & suspenseful. Highly recommended.

    By adam

  • Made for TV

     2

    This film was so disappointing, both in relation to the first film and the book. Great story but it doesn't come across in the film as there is too much going on too fast.

    By filmjam

  • zzz

     1

    If you loved the books, by rights you ought to hate this. What a wishy-washy nothing of an adapatation (the made for TV line in the flicks.co.nz review makes total sense having seen it!). It's not a patch on the first movie, it feels like a rush job to cash in on the first movie as soon as possible (is it?)
    The biggest waste of my movie going time this year, and I've seen both Predicament AND StreetDance!

    I can't wait for the next one, I think it's called "The Girl with the Convoluted Premise"

    By Rob

  • Such a great thriller! Edge of your seat stuff

     5

    Loved this one, can't wait for the next installment, get out there and see it, does hollywood better than they do it!!

    By olivia

  • This is a trilogy!

     5

    I have read all three books and seen all three movies and as an avid reader of this genre, found the films to be as exciting and nail biting, and as true to the story as the books. if you read the books you will know that this one is slightly disjointed as is the movie, but just as on the edge of your seat stuff. The third just melds it all together. I'm going to see this one again today on the big screen.

    By KIM

  • Waste of Time - boring

     1

    Tattoo was great and I eagerly anticipated the second installment. Spent time and money to see Fire. What a load of crock. The story ran like a TV serial not suited for a full length movie. Nothing much happens but lots more talking just to explain the 'mystic' of the main character. Don't waste your time with this wait for the DVD if you have to.

    By Jacks

  • Not to be missed, especially if you saw Tattoo.

     4

    Agree with the Flicks review, except think they are a bit stingy with their 3 stars.

    By brian

  • Superb!

     5

    Just as edge of your seat as the first installment, can't wait for the third, anyone know when its coming? If you loved the books you will love it!

    By blackie

 Collective Voice    0000000000004.00

Your review has been posted, you have spoken, and for that we thank you. – Ed.

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Press Reviews

  • Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

    The Girl Who Played With Fire is very good, but a step down from “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” if only because that film and its casting were so fresh and unexpected.
    Click to read the full review

  • Christchurch Press (Margaret Agnew)

    2 2 out of 5 stars

    A lot happens in two hours but we're left wondering what the point of it all is, especially for those who haven't read the books; there's nothing to hang on to here. With a confusing plot full of holes and only cardboard characters to watch, there's no intrigue, no suspense and certainly no love lost. The girl may play with fire, but she has sadly lost her spark.
    Click to read the full review

  • Hollywood Reporter

    Noir never has been this dark.
    Click to read the full review

  • Los Angeles Times

    Though the thriller is in the hands of a different filmmaking team this time led by Swedish director Daniel Alfredson and screenwriter Jonas Frykberg, they've kept the searing intelligence and ruthless bent.
    Click to read the full review

  • New York Times

    Ms. Rapace, tiny and agile, her steely rage showing now and then the tiniest crack of vulnerability, belongs to another dimension altogether. She makes this movie good enough, but also makes you wish it were much better.
    Click to read the full review

  • Rolling Stone (USA)

    Relentless suspense allows The Girl Who Played With Fire to hold you in a viselike grip. But it’s the performances of Nyqvist and especially Rapace that keep you coming back for more.
    Click to read the full review

  • TVNZ (Darren Bevan)

    While The Girl Who Played With Fire is pacier and more of a blockbuster than The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you may end up feeling that the best is yet to come in the third and final outing.
    Click to read the full review

  • Variety (USA)

    This subpar Nordic crimer, leaves ample room for improvement for the inevitable U.S. remake.
    Click to read the full review

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