The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A new look — and face — to this heroine
Something’s different about Lisbeth Salander. Could it be the hair?
To be sure, the titular protagonist of “The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story” has changed her look dramatically since 2011’s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” There, she sported an asymmetrical, homemade-looking punkrock mop and several scary facial piercings. Here, she looks like a medieval monk who time-traveled to the West Village: hip, but just this side of severe.
One other thing: The character in the new film is played by Claire Foy. The other one was played by Rooney Mara.
And yet there are more changes than meet the eye in this second American film based on the endearingly damaged, avengingcomputer-hacker character created by the late Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. Skipping books 2 and 3 of Larsson’s best-selling trilogy, which have not yet been made into Hollywood films, and possibly never will be, “Spider’s Web” has jumped ahead, taking its inspiration from a fourth Lisbeth Salander novel that was written by David Lagercrantz after Larsson’s death.
Judging only by these two films, the Lisbeth of “Tattoo” — at once feral, brilliant, angry, ethically challenged and, in all likelihood, somewhere on the spectrum — has morphed into a kind of elite ninja warrior and international cybercriminal: an emotionally distant Jane Bond with a bad attitude and a black belt in Krav Maga.
In some respects, this Lisbeth doesn’t feel like the same person, even taking into consideration her character’s evolution in the intervening books (which did get made into Swedish movies starring Noomi Rapace). The Lisbeth of “Spider’s Web” is still, as she is variously described in the new movie, a “hacker with a history of aggravated assault,” “the girl who rights wrongs,” “the girl who hurts men who hurts women” and a “freak.” But there’s a level of professionalism and polish to what she does that is slightly offputting.
In many respects, the fault lies not with Lisbeth but with the overly conventional story she’s caught up in, like a — sorry — spider’s web. After the Stockholm-based Lisbeth is hired to steal software from the National Security Agency — a program that would enable any user to access the military arsenals of any country — she has second thoughts about handing it over, even to the guy who created it (Stephen Merchant).
Foy makes for a magnetic, if poker-faced, heroine, even if her partner, journalist Mikael Blomqvist, is a washout this time. Replacing “Tattoo’s” Daniel Craig, Swedish actor Sverrir Gudnason has a much smaller role here as Lisbeth’s sidekick — and a much more forgettable screen presence.
“Spider’s Web” may have its flaws, including a bit of villainous motivation so oversimplified it makes Dr. Evil’s thought processes look like Einstein’s. And yet despite Lisbeth’s makeover, there’s still something cool, complicated and compelling about this “Girl.” Lisbeth may be stuck in a silly movie, but she’s nobody’s victim.