The Magnificent Seven

Movie 🎥 Review: “The Magnificent Seven". Critics gave it a 63% the users an 72%. Rated: PG 13 with a running time of 2hrs & 13min and an IMDb of 6.9/10. Cast: Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier).

Looking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue seizes control of the Old West town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.

The film is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which in turn is a reimagining of the 1954 film “Seven Samurai”. Principal photography began on May 18, 2015, in the north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Magnificent Seven premiered on September 8, 2016, at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, and was released in the United States on September 23, 2016. The film received mixed reviews from critics, although the cast and action sequences were praised, and grossed $162 million worldwide.

The film is an exciting western with shootouts that are big, flashy, and all very exciting. The strength of the movie though comes from it's characters. They are wonderfully acted and likable in their own ways.

I have to admit that most of the attention does go to Denzel and Pratt, but director Antoine Fuqua makes sure the rest of the talented people onscreen don't go by unnoticed. Each member of the seven has their presence felt throughout. The camaraderie between the cast adds a little heart to the experience and gives the battles more weight.

Bottom line - for me I loved the movie. I’m into westerns and as a young child saw the original version back in the 60’s. I was totally entertained and if you’re a fan watch this movie, you’ll be glad you did.