TheLittleSongbird 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is truly excellent, one would be hard pressed to find a Swedish thriller better. It wasn't flawless, but it comes close.It was followed by two follow ups and the David Fincher film, all worth a look but the original 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is the real deal. It is hard to say which is better or worse overall between 'The Girl who Played with Fire' or 'The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest', in terms of atmosphere the former is weaker but in terms of more consistency in the storytelling the former also fares stronger. Both are flawed but very decent films, could have been better but for less cinematic sequels/follow-ups they are really not too bad.Of the three, 'The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' fares the weakest of the three. After being so gripped by the first book, the source material for this film didn't fare as strongly. There is a lot of extraneous filler in the book, and that the film trimmed the fat was not a problem. However, whereas 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' was faithful in detail and spirit and one of not many book-to-film adaptations to treat the source material with respect, even with the not-so-problematic trimming of filler/fat what also made the book still intriguing, especially the latter chapters, doesn't quite make it in translation in the film. The conflict/tension between Section and the alliance was really powerful in the book, but barely explored here and it was shame.What is always important though is to always judge films/TV adaptations as standalones. On its own, 'The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' has a lot of good things as well as noticeable flaws. It does get bogged down by too much tying of loose ends, meaning that the film does feel a little bloated and both pedestrian and rushed due to cramming in a lot in a running time that contrary to some opinions could have benefited from being 20 minutes or so longer. Some of the stuff with Niedermann (played with the menace and charisma of a frozen pizza this time round) is disjointed and pointless, and while the restaurant shoot-out is exciting and suspenseful the very end is far too anti-climactic and wrapped up too conveniently.However, while not as cinematic as 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', it does look good and makes a welcome return to the bleak atmosphere missing in 'The Girl who Played with Fire'. Daniel Alfredson's direction generally is much more confident and atmospheric, again not as chilling or as shocking as 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' but unlike in 'The Girl who Played with Fire' attempts at replicating those are made. The script while lacking polish and flow in places is still thought-provoking.Storytelling may not be flawless, but there is a sense of doom and claustrophobia and there is tension and suspense (like in the courtroom scenes that help make Lisbeth want to succeed) that could have been more if the conflict between Section and the alliance was explored much more. The acting is very good, Michael Nyqvist is suitably determined but in a quietly dignified sense but even with much less to do Noomi Rapace nails it once again, bringing nuances and subtle command even when not speaking or even moving all that much.All in all, disappointing but good conclusion. Could have gone out with a bang, and while with some great things it doesn't quite make it. 7/10 Bethany Cox

andrednz It took me almost a year to finish the book. They almost doubled the number of characters but, although the names are barely mentioned here, even the most interesting become flat characters. Figuerola is nothing. The thrilling situation involving Erika Berger being stalked in her new job becomes a mere footnote. The passionate debate between Teleborian and Annika Giannini is short and tedious in the movie. Not to mention the Tom and Jerry like chase made out of the fight between Salander and Niederman... Daniel Alfredson and two screenwriters managed to turn a necessary sequel into something really hard to watch. It took me 3 nights to watch this movie. Good pick for insomniacs.

grantss I thought the original The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was great, and The Girl Who Played With Fire was OK. This, the third in the trilogy, is less good. As long as the other two, it is less intriguing, and has less substance. Drags and drifts along, with a few moments of interest. Even Noomi Rapace can't get this one across the line. She actually has very little to do in this movie, mostly silently lying in hospital or sitting in court. Michael Nyqvist does have lines, but he might as well be silent, he is so expressionless. A fairly unsatisfactory ending to what started out to be a good series, but was already running out of steam by the second movie.

coolbarbie2004 The actors did an amazing job. The movie was good but it lacked some substance. Michael's never ending persistence. His ending up with Ferguelo. The press hounding Lisbeth and publishing nasty articles about S&m,etc. Also I was expecting a better trial for Lisbeth. Its so riveting in the book. I wanted to see something similar. Lisbeth's quirk, Giannani's effective arguments about Lisbeth's alcohol, sex life and tattoos. Lisbeth's old guardian. Teleborian's disgusting egotistical evaluation. Lisbeth's assertiveness to get a conviction the same day and not wanting to swayback in the country for evaluations after the trial. The judge asserting the logic of being legally competent. But in the movie it was very laid back and slow. Disappointing.