The Girl Who Played with Fire Blu-ray Review

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" arrives on US Region-Free Blu-ray with a 1080p High Definition transfer in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio. This presentation, while proficient, falls short in several areas. Filmed in a different scope than its predecessor’s broader 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the visual quality mirrors that of a TV movie more than a theatrical release. The most notable issue is the pervasive and heavy grain that detracts from the viewing experience. Detail is reasonable but unremarkable, softened further by occasional edge enhancement. Low-light sequences suffer significantly from subpar shade differentiation and the oppressive grain structure, leaving shadow details underdeveloped and facial close-ups unimpressive.

Technical details such as the AVC codec at an average bitrate of 18Mbps help in some areas, ensuring color accuracy natural and unaltered in well-lit scenes, and maintaining a subtle film grain to avoid DNR artifacts. The black levels are accurate but lack depth and shadow delineation is weak, particularly in scenes dominated by orange and yellow lighting which fail to reveal intricacies caught under indirect light. The overblown highlights reveal a hot contrast that sometimes affects the overall image quality. Despite these shortcomings, fine object details in textured clothing and facial complexions appear well-defined, and there is no significant evidence of edge enhancement.

In summary, while this Blu-ray transfer does many things right, such as maintaining authentic color representation and some strong close-up details, it is significantly held back by its source material and grain-heavy presentation. This limits it from reaching the upper echelon of high-definition offerings and results in a viewing experience that feels more akin to a European TV show from the nineties rather than a recent theatrical release.

The auditory presentation of "The Girl Who Played with Fire" on Blu-ray mirrors its predecessor with the provision of only two standard Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks—one in the original Swedish and another as an English dub. Opting for the native Swedish track is highly recommended as the English dub fails to do justice to the original dialogue. The Swedish audio is equipped with coherent and logical subtitles, but the lack of a DTS-HD Master Audio mix is evident. While the absence of a high-definition audio option raises questions about a potential collector’s edition, the existing Dolby Digital 5.1 track showcases remarkable performance given the technical constraints. Dialogue mainly emanates from the frontal array, offering clarity and maintaining balance, though it is the score and effects that leave a notable impact.

The soundtrack's highlight lies within its vigorous, punchy score and dynamic sound effects. Notably, the bass response is exceptionally potent, sometimes requiring adjustment to avoid overpowering home theater setups. The car chase sequence is a particular standout, presenting an exhilarating soundscape that layers the rumble of shifting engines and the rush of cars to effectively heighten tension. Despite these strong points, some sequences reveal what could have been achieved with a lossless audio mix. The surround channels are surprisingly active during certain scenes, yet overall the presentation feels front-heavy, primarily distributing action between the left and right channels. The dynamic range remains clean and pleasant, though it lacks depth in both upper frequencies and low-end consistency.

In summary, while this audio presentation does not detract from the film's strengths, it falls short of achieving an immersive experience through all available channels. Vocal clarity and dialog balance are commendable, ensuring interactions remain intelligible even during quieter scenes. This Dolby Digital 5.1 track adequately supports the film’s narrative without delivering an exceptional auditory immersion that could have been realized with higher resolution audio.

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" Blu-ray extras are notably sparse, offering minimal additional content for avid fans. The disc includes short Cast and Crew Interviews, a superficial Featurette on the Niedermann vs. Roberto Fight Scene, and a Sneak Peak of "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest." Despite the high expectations set by the series' popularity, this release falls short, providing little beyond standard promotional material. This limited selection is disappointing for loyal followers who might anticipate a more comprehensive exploration of the film's production. The lack of extended versions or substantial behind-the-scenes content further underscores the thinness of this supplemental package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Cast and Crew Interviews: Brief insights from the production team.
• Featurette on Niedermann vs. Roberto Fight Scene: A superficial look at the fight choreography.
• Sneak Peak of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest: Teaser for the next installment.
• Theatrical Trailers: Trailers for all three films in the Millennium Trilogy.

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" functions as a solid, albeit slightly underwhelming follow-up to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Departing from the intricate and methodical investigation style of the first film, director Daniel Alfredson delivers a fast-paced thriller centered around Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace). Set one year after the events of the debut installment, the film puts Lisbeth in the crosshairs as a primary suspect in a double homicide. The escalating plot involves her murky past and an extensive investigation into a high-level sex trafficking ring, propelling an engaging yet frantic narrative. However, the split between Lisbeth and Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) for much of the runtime disrupts the chemistry built in the first movie, slightly regressing audience investment in their characters.

Technical direction remains commendable, with Alfredson maintaining a compelling, albeit breathless, atmosphere. The sequel's narrative pacing sometimes feels disjointed, jumping rapidly from one clue to another without allowing the audience adequate time to digest. This relentless momentum sacrifices some depth in plot development, glossing over critical story elements for expedience. Though the film's focus on Lisbeth’s backstory provides substantial character development, the mystery itself lacks the gripping complexity seen in its predecessor's Vanger case.

Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of Lisbeth Salander remains a significant highlight, captivating audiences with her dynamic and relentless performance. Despite some narrative shortcomings, Rapace's nuanced portrayal of a complex anti-heroine adds substantial depth to an otherwise straightforward plot. While "The Girl Who Played with Fire" may not achieve the perfection of its predecessor, it effectively expands on Lisbeth's character arc and sets up an intriguing premise for the concluding chapter of the trilogy. For enthusiasts of Swedish thrillers and those invested in Lisbeth’s journey, this film offers enough moments of intensity and intrigue to be worth the watch.

"The Girl Who Played with Fire," the second installment in the Millennium Trilogy, continues the adventures of the enigmatic and volatile Lisbeth Salander, portrayed impeccably by Noomi Rapace. While the storyline may not reach the high bar set by its predecessor, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” the film stands out as a compelling sequel driven by the strong performances of Rapace and Michael Nyqvist. Their portrayals elevate the narrative and solidify this trilogy as a modern classic in the mystery-thriller genre.

From a technical perspective, the US Region Free Blu-ray leaves much to be desired. The video presentation falls short, undermined by significant grain and a generally poor visual quality that highlights its TV origins. The audio track, while competent, being a standard Dolby Digital 5.1 offering, does not fulfill the potential of the film’s atmospheric score and intricate sound design. This release is notably sparse in terms of extras, contrasting starkly with the more robust, unabridged 3-hour versions available in Swedish releases.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release of "The Girl Who Played with Fire" feels hastily assembled and lacks the polish that fans of the trilogy would expect. Prospective buyers might be better served waiting for a more comprehensive Millennium Trilogy box-set, ideally featuring remastered visuals, seamless branching of Theatrical and Extended Cuts, and an array of high-quality extras. Such a package would do greater justice to this essential but currently unsatisfactory entry in the series.