If you’re tired of
remakes and reboots, your cry would be heard loud and clear. Every other day it
seems like another rehash is on the horizon, though some properties are still
worth dusting off. As most know, this remake was adapted from the 1960 western The
Magnificent Seven of the same name, which was previously remade from the
original Seven Samurai film in 1954. The word of mouth from these
two films couldn’t be any more positive, as they’re both respected as classics.
So when this next incarnation was announced, it wasn’t greeted with disgust and
disdain. It was welcomed due to the great cast, remarkable story, and the man
running the show in the director’s chair, Antione Fuqua (Training Day).
Having not seen the two
films that came before this one, my expectations were set at a neutral level.
Although everything appeared to be fruitful on the surface, there was still a
chance this would be a giant mess. Early on, the warm opening credits set the
stage. It was simple and focused, and you’re teased with each cast member’s
name as it flashed on the screen. It’s like you were about to embark on a
journey everyone else was raving about and this is your first time witnessing
it for yourself. Shortly thereafter the atmosphere revved up fairly quick.
Disaster struck in the most menacing ways imaginable, and you knew who the
devil was pulling all the strings. It was an interesting casting choice that
worked to sell the antagonist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard). He
was a sniveling little weasel and was the perfect baddie with insecurity issues
that any sane human would want to demolish.
Luckily there’s plenty
enough screen time spent on other lovable characters such as Chisolm (Denzel
Washington). Washington is great in every role he plays, but to be honest, in
a lot of his roles he plays the same character; which is himself. He did the
same thing here in a cowboy outfit, but it was still great to see him on the
big screen. Chris Pratt playing Josh Faraday was a little different than
most may be accustomed to. Pratt is usually the comic relief in whatever part
he plays, but this time he took on more of a serious role, which was
surprising. The biggest surprise is that of Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio).
He had the best transformation of all the characters on screen. He is a true
talent and literally becomes a different person every time the word “action” is
said. It was difficult to tell who the real man was solely based off his great
performance. It’s clear he practiced hard and told himself he would give
everything he had for this role.
All the characters
that were part of The Magnificent Seven were great, but that’s also
where the main problem of the film lies. It’s great seeing a team come together,
and in this film it’s a lot of fun. However, a film also has to be realistic about
how humans naturally act around each other. Here, how the team comes together
is so convenient it’s disturbing. None of the characters have anything to do
except show off their respected skill exactly when the captain shows up for
recruitment. At times, without saying more than two sentences, they’re on board
and ready to defend a city and people they’ve never heard of before. If it was
a personal vendetta they wanted to pay back it would be more understanding, but
here it’s rather convenient.
That doesn’t mean when
they come together it isn’t a ton of fun that has you towards the edge of your
seat at times. The action within this film is top notch, and if you’re not
usually into westerns it may convert you over to that genre. All of the gun
play and camera angles flowed smoothly to where you almost knew where every
bullet landed. Seeing all the jumps, bullets, and arrows, was all you’d ask for
in an action film. The stakes were high, and you couldn’t predict the outcome.
And the film flowed so smoothly, making you laugh here and there. It’s the
perfect movie to just sit back and enjoy. Whether released in the summer season
or the fall, it’s nearly impossible not to find some value in it. It may not
master the original, but for the newer generation it’ll get the job done.
8/10
Release Date: September 23, 2016
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Akira Kurosawa (based on), Shinobu
Hashimoto (based on), Hideo Oguni, (based on), Richard Wenk, Nic Pizzolatto
Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan
Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier,
Haley Bennett, Peter Sarsgaard, Luke Grimes, Matt Bomer, Jonathan Joss, Cam
Gigandet, Emil Beheshti, Mark Ashworth, Billy Slaughter, Dodge Prince, Matthew
Posey
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 132 minutes
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Columbia
Pictures, LStar Capital, Village Roadshow Pictures, Pin High Productions,
Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures
Genre: Action, Western
Language: English
Country: USA
Budget: $95,000,000 (estimated)
Read more reviews by Brandon Keith Avery at Just My Opinion.net.