Claire Foy capably takes over the part of Lisbeth Salander from Noomi Rapace who gave a powerful screen life to the abused vary capable young woman.
We learn in this adventure that Lisbeth and her sister Camilla are on the verge of being abused by their father. Lisbeth refuses his advances and escapes by jumping from a balcony, Camilla sides with her father and spends 16 years as his consort who replaces him in his criminal endeavors when he is gone.
The opening scene shows Lisbeth crushing an abusive husband giving his money to the abused wife and making it clear that the husband better never harm his wife or child again. What we see is the power, strength, and determination which was displayed in the original film by Lisbeth. That is what we expect, a young woman who never looses and is far smatter than all the evil ones (mostly men) who she comes across. Quite often her ability to use electronic equipment is way over the top, but it gives her a significant advantage over everyone who opposes her.
The thrust of this caper involves a stolen file which Edwin Needham (Lakeith Stanfield) an American National Security Agent is bound to recapture even when he is not welcome in Sweden by the security forces in that country. When we learn the codes are difficult to figure out we also learn that August Balder (Christopher Convery) the young son of Frans Balder (Stephen Merchant) is quick enough to figure out the formula in his head. Early on he shows his skill when he beats Lisbeth at chess in a few moves.
The plot moves back and forward as Lisbeth is captured and gets away and then is captured again and as we expect eventually escapes. The same faith awaits the young son of Frans Balder. All that capturing and releasing is framed through a series of chase scenes, some of which are exciting to watch. A little humor fills the screen when Lisbeth is about to steal a car and young August Balder decides he wants her to take the most expensive sports car for their escape.
We eventually learn the true identity of the blond in the red dress and the script reveals much of Lisbeth’s dark past, it has been a tough life.
The chasing on snow filled roads is exciting as bullets fly between various vehicles. The most impressive car scene takes place on a bridge which Lisbeth escapes from by lifting the center of the bridge while those who are attempting to catch her are on that section of the bridge which ends up twenty-five feet in the air.
With an acceptable script and a decent performance by Claire Foy The Girl In The Spider’s Web is entertaining but it falls short of the power and tension of the original films which were brilliant to watch.