"The Magnificent Seven" (2016) Review

Title: The Magnificent Seven

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua

Written by: Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk

Year: 2016


Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is an undisputed masterpiece, and very revolutionary when it came out in 1954. To this day, the film influences how modern action is filmed and executed in motion pictures. An American remake, directed by John Sturges was released in 1960 in the form of a western under the title of The Magnificent Seven. In my opinion, The Magnificent Seven is not only one of the best westerns ever made, but also a terrific film all around. Now we are faced with a remake of these classics. Is this some silly shoot-em-up, or a magnificent adventure?

When a small town is threatened by a wealthy businessman with plenty of men behind him, one of the townspeople seeks out the help of a bounty hunter to exterminate the threat. However, he cannot do it alone, and instead forms a team to help defend this small town.

Far and away, the greatest aspect of The Magnificent Seven (2016) is how the main actors play off of each other. The chemistry between these seven men is electric, with all of their personalities clashing in numerous ways, usually to comedic effect. The cast is what really makes the film, and all of these performers are giving it their best, and having fun while doing so.

The Magnificent Seven (2016) boasts a very impressive cast, with Denzel Washington leading the charge. Washington makes for a great central character, giving a grounded and firm performance. He receives the most screen time and is more than capable of heading this talented cast. Chris Pratt relies on his usual charisma and comedic timing, which normally would not fit a western, but it works for the tone here. Pratt once again proves to be an appealing and strong actor, and a consistently enjoyable member of the titular team.

Ethan Hawke is a man with a past in this iteration. His character took part in the Civil War and is characterized by his expert marksmanship. Hawke is excellent, balancing cocksure and acerbic with reserved and haunted. He is relatable to the Lee character from Sturges' film, both of them having a past that looms over them like a deep shadow. Lee Byung-hun adds a bit of flavor to the group as an assassin who heavily relies on knives. He does not say an awful lot, but Byung-hun is very entertaining to watch and has great chemistry with Hawke.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, playing the Mexican of the bunch, evokes the proper amount of machismo and continuously runs his foul mouth throughout the picture. Though he does not have much in the way of backstory, he remains a very enjoyable addition to the crew. Martin Sensmeier, though effectively mute for the majority of the film, sells his performance through his physicality and facial expressions, and does a very good job. Rounding out the team is Vincent D'Onofrio. He is a master at portraying over-the-top characters and D'Onofrio hits it out of the park once again. He plays a very imposing and frightful person, but the main hook of his performance is his oddly contrasting voice, which works to glorious effect.

Haley Bennet is the townsperson most focused on. Her character is the one who hires the seven men to protect Rose Creek. She is a good actress and brings a true sense of humanity to her strong character. Peter Sarsgaard is the villain of this piece, and he comes across as a genuine threat. He is despicable, conniving, and merciless. Though his intimidation is unfortunately diminished towards the end of the film, Sarsgaard succeeds at providing a memorable villain.

The premise is a very familiar one. A small group of men must defend a town from an army. Similar stories have been told and retold outside of Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven, but there is a reason for that; it is a very compelling tale. The concept of a small band of good-willed people fighting insurmountable odds immediately generates a connection between the audience and the film. You want the underdogs to succeed because you sympathize with their situation and admire their morality.

The story moves along at a brisk but comfortable pace. Every scene feels integral to either the plot or character development, with the film lacking any sort of padding. Most of the film is fast-paced, but it will slow down for the occasional character moment appropriately. However, one issue I had with the pacing was that the team was assembled far too quickly. The recruitment scenes play out rapidly, as if the picture is in a hurry to get to the bigger action set pieces.

Antoine Fuqua, at first glance, would not seem to be fitting for the western genre. But as it turns out, he does a marvelous job directing this film. Fuqua channels his inner Sergio Leone on several occasions, focusing on the build-up and the aftermath of violence more than the action itself. This is quickly established in the opening scene, where he is able to create suspense around a simple jar of dust. Also, later on, there is a big gunfight in the middle of the picture. But Fuqua almost endlessly builds up to it, an homage to the spaghetti westerns of old.

Speaking of that gunfight, Fuqua not only proves to be a master at build-up, but also at directing action sequences. There are two major action set-pieces and both are executed exceptionally well. The gunfight in the middle of the plot serves to establish how dangerous the protagonists are and how they work together as a team. However, the final battle is a spectacle all on its own. Not only is it meaty in length, but also in violence and thrills. The action is explosive and fun, but it never lacks purpose or craft.

The cinematography can be breathtaking at times. The scenery is beautiful and vibrant, showcasing the color of the old west. The cinematographer also makes great use of lighting and shadows to evoke mood and atmosphere. There are many standout shots, but one in particular is when Washington is sitting on his horse alone in a field, just before the climactic battle. In addition, the music is quite good. It is bombastic during the excitement, but underscores the quieter moments wonderfully. Throughout the score, there are hints to Elmer Berstein's original 1960 theme (one of the greatest movie themes ever composed), and when the full piece actually plays, it sounds just as glorious as ever.

The Magnificent Seven (2016) is an excellent modern take on a beloved story. This revamped western classic has a lot to offer that allows it to stand on its own. The core cast give spectacular performances; the film has a terrific pace; the action is worth the price of admission; Fuqua's direction is incredible; and the picture is so damned enjoyable. In terms of high quality entertainment, Captain America: Civil War, Deadpool, and The Magnificent Seven (2016) are this year's best. Though it lacks the poignancy and importance of its two predecessors, this latest version of the story is nothing short of magnificent.

Grade: A