9/22/16

The Magnificent Seven

Ready for a remake of a remake? Let's see.... Akira Kurosawa filmed "Seven Samurai" with ToshirĂ´ Mifune, followed by John Sturgis' "The Magnificent Seven" with Yul Brynner (I'm not counting the TV series). Now Antoine Fuqua saddles up with Kurosawa's original script tweaked for today's audience. This 132-minute testosterone-laden actioner boasts a terrific multi-cultural cast; just wait until you see who is in it!

The story? In a nutshell, a small farming community is being terrorized by a businessman who owns some gold mines in the area. He employs a huge number of gunmen to enforce his policies.

Part of that cast;
  • Denzel Washington ("Flight") Chisolm answers to no one. He has a job to do and he does it. I liked that he moved his horse out of harm's way when things heated up.
  • Chris Pratt ("Jurassic World") Josh enjoys everything, but particularly magic tricks and blowing things up.
  • Ethan Hawke ("In a Valley of Violence") Since the war, Goodnight Robicheaux has been at loose ends. He travels with Billy Rocks.
  • Byung-hun Lee ("RED 2") Billy Rocks is a wizard with blades. If you don't believe me, just watch!
  • Manuel Garcia-Rulfo ("Bless Me, Ultima") Vasquez believes in Chisolm and doesn't have anything better to do...
  • Vincent D'Onofrio ("Jurassic World") Jack had me buffaloed. I couldn't understand a word he said, but his actions spoke louder than words.
  • Martin Sensmeier ("Lilin's Brood") Red Harvest doesn't fit in with his tribe, so he might as well join Chisolm. Watch this guy ride bareback!
  • Peter Sarsgaard ("Black Mass") Bartholomew Bogue is the dirty rotten scoundrel we love to hate. This wealthy crook is a heartless boss and a vicious bully.
  • Matt Bomer ("The Nice Guys") Local farmer Matthew may look ill-prepared to confront the bad guys, but Bomer absolutely SHINES in this role!
  • Haley Bennett ("The Girl on the Train") Emma is really, really mad. She wants to take back their town, so she sets out to find gunmen who can help the townspeople. She can't allow herself any doubts or second thoughts.
This is rated PG-13, so expect LOTS (and lots and lots) of gunfire, blood and fisticuffs, a smattering of profanity and some well-placed blowie uppie stuff, but no sex (this is, after all, rated PG-13...smile...). There is plenty of humor, particularly during the training phase for those frightened, inept townspeople.

Our screening audience exited the theater energized and satisfied.
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Check out this preview;
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