By Cynthia Bujnicki

“Young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt government officials.” —IMDB

Lisbeth Salander has returned in a new film with none other than Claire Foy, a formidable actress who takes this role and makes it her own. Foy is a remarkable actress and the way she brought to life the attitude, strength, and indifference of the character is memorable. The cast had the strength and the chemistry to make the film work, but it was the story that didn’t offer anything new to the audiences.

The story is very formulaic. Yes, the formula works, but after a time it becomes tedious and boring. No one wants to see the same thing again and again; it gets boring. What made the Swedish films so good was the fact that each film was something different. The first film deals with a cold case, the second with Lisbeth being framed, and the third are about proving her innocence and bringing down her fathers’ cartel. This film functions much the same way as the second film. It’s a story that has been done before. Sure, the film has an interesting villain bringing in Lisbeth’s twin sister who was only ever mentioned in the books, making for an interesting plot line and tension, but it’s very similar to the relationship and plot line that had her deal with her father.

Now, that’s not to say that the film is bad because it’s not, not by any means, but the film doesn’t offer anything new to audiences and fans of Lisbeth Salander. It’s great to see this heroine back on the big screen, and it has plenty of action and thought-provoking arc that lends itself to strong characters, but there isn’t anything new for old fans, and too much history for new fans to grasp onto. The acting may be phenomenal all around, but the story, it’s lacking. (★★☆☆ | C+)

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—Film Credits—

Directed by Fede Álvarez

Screenplay by    Jay Basu, Fede Álvarez & Steven Knight

Based on The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz | Characters by Stieg Larsson

Starring: Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason, LaKeith Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks & Stephen Merchant

Rating | Length | Genre: R | 1h 57min | Action, Crime, Drama

Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing