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This is truly the case where a movie is better than the novel on which it is based. Stieg Larsson's novel is complex, wanders, has whole lines of drama that don't add to the story (Erika taking a job at another publication is a prime example). It is still a fine work, but pretty tough to read in places (I sometimes skipped whole scenes involving the unraveling of the conspiracy by the small unit that ended up overseeing Zalachenko).
In the movie, the story line about the governmental unit that ended up protecting and working with Zalachenko is much cleaner. So, too, the powerful trial scene. In the book, the trial scene is long, Salander's attorney appears to me to be given way too much latitude, Teleborian's testimony seems interminable. The movie tightens this up considerably--without compromising the power as the scene concludes in the novel.
In short, a satisfying conclusion to a powerful trilogy of movies (originally conceived as a TV series). Noomi Rapace continues her extraordinary run as Lisbeth Salander. She even smiles broadly! Of course, in character, it is when she learns that her father, Zalachenko, has been killed. Kind of chilling as you watch the scene play out. She also features a handful of "crooked smiles," as Larsson describes them in the novels. The team at Millennium, led by Erika Berger and Mickael Blomkvist, work to exonerate Salander and speak to the misuse of government power used to throw her into a mental institution when she was 12.
Her final confrontation with her half brother is very much in keeping with the novel and quite satisfying, including how she takes care of the motorcycle gang while using them for her purposes of vengeance. Well done indeed! Other highlights: Salander's use of her handheld to access the Internet while in the hospital, Plague's taking on a more central role (a rather unlikely "hero"), Salander's neo-Rocky sequence in which she exercises while in prison, her play acting in the trial as she Goths out (or whatever the term is), her final meeting with Blomkvist as the movie closes (I think the novel's ending was superior). Other pluses: Blomkvist's sister's role as Salander's defense attorney; Teleborian's demise; the more complete picture of Erika's and Mikael's relationship.
The movie is long, coming in at about 2 1/2 hours, but it doesn't seem to drag. There is not always a lot of action, but the story line seems to move ahead quite nicely. This movie, also, suffers less than the first two for not providing key information (How would one know that Palmgren, in "The Girl Who Played with Fire," was her former guardian before the evil Bjurman?).
At any rate a most convincing conclusion to the Millennium trilogy. And, alas, unless the partially written fourth novel by Larsson as he died before completion can be filled out and made to work, this is the last we shall see of Salander and Blomkvist and the full cast of characters.
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Reviews with images
Good Swedish binge order in some meat balls and enjoy.
Spell binding crime drama. A must see.
Top reviews from other countries
John Whelan
A great movie at a great price! ****
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2020