I don't usually review films but I felt compelled to after watching this.
I should say that this from the perspective of someone who has read the Millennium books, and perhaps you would feel differently if you hadn't, but I doubt it because this film is a total mess.
The set pieces are boring, the plot is all over the place, the characters' motivations are unclear and it generally felt hugely pointless and unsatisfying.
When I read the Girl in the Spider's Web I felt it was okay but not up to Stieg Larsson's standards, that the plotting felt a little clunky, and certain characters felt off. This film makes the book look like the greatest work of literature of the past few hundred years.
** Spoilers follow **
Most adaptations excise a lot of side plots to condense a story down to two hours. I wasn't surprised to see everything about August's mother, a lot of Sapo and NSA stuff and much of the Millennium ownership go.
However, the introduction of a big standard "nuke the world" plot, Ed Needham becoming a stupid action hero with Plague as his sidekick, August not being mute...(I could go on) made it feel like the writers might as well have not bothered with the book.
Add to that, the main twist from the book, about lisbeth's sister is revealed immediately (it was in the trailer!)
But the very worst thing was that not one of the characters acted in a way that you would expect. Blomkvist was a spare part throughout and he decided not to publish! It would have been better to not have Erika in it at all given what she had to do. Gabriella Grane became a villain who died as soon as you realised she was and Ed the Ned was unrecognisable.
The idea of Lisbeth as a random vigilante who, throughout the film, even before the Balder saga, is Stockholm's most wanted, is particularly stupid.
** spoilers end **
Claire Foy is not bad, but is definitely less convincing as Lisbeth than Noomi Rapace or Rooney Mara. It's ridiculous that Mara says she wasn't even asked about reprising the role when she was the best thing in the last film and really committed to the role. Mara actually got piercings and shaved her head for the role, Foy by comparison looks like she can't wait to get back into her normal gear.
The other roles are so flimsy that it would be unfair to judge the actors, though I suppose Stephen Merchant did okay with limited material.
In summary, if you have read any of the books, please do not see this film. The Swedish adaptations of the original trilogy are infinitely better and even David Fincher's US remake of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a masterpiece compared with this. If you have not read any of the books, please still do not see this film. It is a totally mediocre thriller, with no stakes, no drama, confusing motivations and no payoff.
I should say that this from the perspective of someone who has read the Millennium books, and perhaps you would feel differently if you hadn't, but I doubt it because this film is a total mess.
The set pieces are boring, the plot is all over the place, the characters' motivations are unclear and it generally felt hugely pointless and unsatisfying.
When I read the Girl in the Spider's Web I felt it was okay but not up to Stieg Larsson's standards, that the plotting felt a little clunky, and certain characters felt off. This film makes the book look like the greatest work of literature of the past few hundred years.
** Spoilers follow **
Most adaptations excise a lot of side plots to condense a story down to two hours. I wasn't surprised to see everything about August's mother, a lot of Sapo and NSA stuff and much of the Millennium ownership go.
However, the introduction of a big standard "nuke the world" plot, Ed Needham becoming a stupid action hero with Plague as his sidekick, August not being mute...(I could go on) made it feel like the writers might as well have not bothered with the book.
Add to that, the main twist from the book, about lisbeth's sister is revealed immediately (it was in the trailer!)
But the very worst thing was that not one of the characters acted in a way that you would expect. Blomkvist was a spare part throughout and he decided not to publish! It would have been better to not have Erika in it at all given what she had to do. Gabriella Grane became a villain who died as soon as you realised she was and Ed the Ned was unrecognisable.
The idea of Lisbeth as a random vigilante who, throughout the film, even before the Balder saga, is Stockholm's most wanted, is particularly stupid.
** spoilers end **
Claire Foy is not bad, but is definitely less convincing as Lisbeth than Noomi Rapace or Rooney Mara. It's ridiculous that Mara says she wasn't even asked about reprising the role when she was the best thing in the last film and really committed to the role. Mara actually got piercings and shaved her head for the role, Foy by comparison looks like she can't wait to get back into her normal gear.
The other roles are so flimsy that it would be unfair to judge the actors, though I suppose Stephen Merchant did okay with limited material.
In summary, if you have read any of the books, please do not see this film. The Swedish adaptations of the original trilogy are infinitely better and even David Fincher's US remake of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a masterpiece compared with this. If you have not read any of the books, please still do not see this film. It is a totally mediocre thriller, with no stakes, no drama, confusing motivations and no payoff.