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“The Girl in the Spider’s Web” (R)

Lisbeth Salander is back on the big screen after a seven-year absence in “The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A new Dragon Tattoo Story,” a sequel of sorts to the critically acclaimed but financially disappointing “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

Despite the star power of Rooney Mara (who earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination) as Lisbeth and Daniel Craig as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, the David Fincher-helmed crime thriller clearly didn’t excite Sony Pictures enough to move forward and adapt the final two books in late Swedish author Steig Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy; yet the studio found a way to revive the franchise with completely new faces in front of an behind the camera. As a result, movie fans are getting a soft reboot with “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” based on the 2015 novel by David Lagercrantz that continues Lisbeth’s story where Larsson left off.

With “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” “The Crown” star Claire Foy assumes the mantle of Lisbeth Salander, who remains haunted by the abusive father and the sister held captive by him after she managed to escape from their massive estate. A survivor of sexual abuse herself (which she exacted revenge for in “The Girl in the Dragon Tattoo”), Lisbeth continues to be a vigilante for women who have suffered a similar fate, as well as continues to use her brilliant mind to hack into a government computer to recover nuclear launch codes that could mean the end of the world if they fall into the wrong.

Yes, “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” has the gritty feel and the twists and intrigue of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” but ultimately, with its hyperkinetic action and high-tech ambitions, it feels more like a James Bond adventure … without Daniel Craig. Perhaps that’s why they couldn’t lure Craig back to the franchise, because it’s too much like a James Bond film, and a faded version of 2011’s “Dragon Tattoo” that couldn’t quite find enough steam to launch a lucrative movie series.

Lammometer: 6 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.

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‘First Man’ (PG-13)

Ryan Gosling plays legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong in “First Man,” a detailed chronicle of not only the first man to set foot on the moon, but a look at the highs and lows of the NASA space program and the tragedies Armstrong endured during the space race with the Soviets in the 1960s.

Appropriately timed with the 60th birthday of NASA Oct. 1, “First Man” gives a fascinating look at the early years of NASA leading up to the Apollo 11 moon mission, including the tragedies to befall many of his colleagues as the organization worked toward its goal of beating the Russians to the moon.

Technically, “First Man” is incredible as is recreates pivotal moments in the NASA’s history, yet, the acting feels a bit flat at times, especially by Gosling. It could be Gosling was playing it low-key because that’s the way Armstrong was in real-life (he was largely known as a “reluctant hero”), and certainly the personal tragedy that haunted him throughout his career at NASA no doubt drove him even deeper into his shell. At the same time, it’s that family tragedy that gave him the resolve to stay on course and go through the dangerous training missions and the eventual mission to the moon, so, it’s hard to criticize an Gosling’s portrayal of Armstrong, even when you expect something more out of the actor.

On the flip side, Corey Stoll gives a lively performance as Buzz Aldrin, while Claire Foy delivers as expected as Armstrong’s wife, Janet, who grapples the best she can with the astronaut’s stoic demeanor. Jason Clarke — one of the most underrated actors in the business — is great as usual as Ed White, one of the pivotal figures in NASA along with Gus Grissom (Shea Whigham) and Roger Caffee (Cory Michael Smith) who are involved in a tragic accident as the agency tries to get its bearings. All told, “First Man” is a brutally realistic look at an agency that has endured massive setbacks on its way to exploring the space above us.

Lammometer: 7 (out of 10)

Original Interviews, Reviews & More By Tim Lammers

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Tag Archives: Claire Foy

Movie review: ‘Girl in the Spider’s Web’ spins in wrong direction

Movie review: Despite flaws, ‘First Man’ completes mission

Original Interviews, Reviews & More By Tim Lammers