The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Making the most of a weekend in Edinburgh, we went up to see that rare beast ‘an intellectual cockney’ the hilariously funny stand-up comedian Micky Flanagan. (If you get the opportunity to see ‘The Out Out Tour’ take it, you won’t see a funnier man http://www.mickyflanagan.com/mickyflanagantour.html). Where was I? Oh yes making the most of my weekend by seizing a chance to see the latest instalment of Stieg Larsson Millennium Trilogy The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009). Lets get the negativity out of the way first, my only criticism is that to get full enjoyment from this second part of the trilogy it really helps if you have seen the first film or read the book.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) was a massive success in Europe and one of the most successful non-English language films. The reason for this, I believe, is the appeal of the main protagonist Lisbeth Salander, so well drawn by Stieg Larsson and swiftly becoming one of my favourite all time characters. Its interesting to see what Noomi Rapace, who plays the part of Lisbeth so well, has to say about her character “Lisbeth is a human being who’s suffered a lot. She needed to create her own world, her own set of rules, as the ones that exist haven’t helped her. She’s always been completely alone in her world; outside it she’s been vulnerable. Lisbeth has locked away her emotions, her heart, to protect herself. Everything inside her is deeply rooted, and once she’s let someone in she’d incredibly faithful and loyal. She will fight to the death for what she believes in.” Salander has a photographic memory, a penchant for punk clothing, body piecing and tattoo’s, she’s bi-sexual with a genius for hacking into other peoples computers, an ace researcher who’s not afraid of using violence when absolutely necessary. The new film takes us even deeper into this complex young lady.

A researcher and a Millennium journalist who are about to expose the truth about sex trafficking in Sweden are brutally murdered and Salander is accused of the killings. Her history of unpredictability, vengeful behavior and her prints on the murder weapon make her the ideal suspect! Mikael Blomkvist does not believe her capable of these crimes and does every thing in his power to prove Lisbeth's innocence. During his investigations he unearths some facts about Salander’s murky past life.

Can’t wait to see this again at the RBC Film Theatre in October and for those of you that missed the Dragon Tattoo the first time around there's a double bill showing both films on Saturday 2nd October. The final part of the trilogy is due for release in November.