Friday, January 6, 2017

Magnificent 7

Actors: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, Peter Sarsgaard
Rating: 8 out of 10, I guess this is the year for remaking iconic movies from my youth. They do much better job here than certain biblical chariot race movies earlier in the year. Of course the movie has to be updated for millennials as six white and one Mexican heroes simply wouldn’t do for millennials. So we have Asian, indigenous, Latino, and an African-American included in the seven this time out. They also moved the conflict out of Mexico because we all know they can solve their own criminal problems without Caucasian help. I really liked this movie because we all know Denzel can do anything and he carries this movie with ease as the leader of the seven. I think they erred when they made this more of a revenge flick than a rescue of an oppressed village. The lofty ideals of the original were sacrificed on the altar of required body counts. Still, the action is extremely well choreographed and the exterior shots impressive. The final battle is long and full of unrelenting action. All of the seven got their piece of the pie. Sarsgaard as the main villain was okay, but he’s no Eli Wallach. I finally got what was missing most when the end credits rolled and original theme started playing – amazing what movie music can do.

MVP: Washington as Sam Chisholm, leader of the seven

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