The Magnificent Seven (2016) Review – The Magnificent Seven is an American movie released in 2016. This is a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name which in turn was based on Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese film Seven Samurai released in 1954. A corrupt industrialist Bogue besieges a village and slaughters people standing against him. People in the village recruit gunmen to help them fight against Bogue and his men.

I had seen Seven Samurai and couldn’t keep comparing this to the original. The new edition has a lot more changes than the original movie. If reveal the details I would be spoiling the fun for the viewers so I would rather stick to reviewing the movie. Times have changed but still

Times have changed but still there is the charm for the cowboy tales and see their standoffs on the big screen. The Magnificent Seven covers this well in the first half. It treats the audience with intense, suspenseful and also funny standoffs in the first half. The introduction of each of the seven characters have been taken very well and for me was one of the high points of the movie. Denzel Washington has performed the lead role of Sam Chisolm very well. He is very convincing as a skillful warrant officer and the leader of the pack. Including a Comanche warrior as part of the seven was an interesting take.  Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Byung-hun Lee, Vincent D’Onofrio and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo have been convincing as well.

The movie then plunges into a high voltage gunfight sequence in the last twenty minutes. The starting of the fight sequence as the row of horses galloping towards the Village  is a visual treat on an IMAX screen. There is never a dull moment in the movie.

Although it has been engaging throughout I felt there is some soul missing in the movie compared to Seven Samurai. The details of which I would let you interpret for yourself. If you see this movie in isolation you would enjoy it.

High Points: Cowboy standoffs, Introduction scenes of the team of Seven, the visuals of the gunfight sequence, the casting of the characters.

Low Points: Lack of emotional elements as compared to Seven Samurai

Overall the magnificent seven is an evergreen tale retold. It brings back the lovely memories of watching cowboy adventures on screen. If you are able to not compare it with Seven Samurai you would enjoy it better.

Worth a Watch