This week, the big movie release is the remake of "The Magnificent Seven", based on the 1960 western film of the same name, which itself is a remake of the 1954 Japanese film, "Seven Samurai". The 60s western featured Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Eli Wallach and Horst Bucholz, and was directed by John Sturges. Today's version is directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), written by "True Detective's" Nic Pizzolatto, and stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, Haley Bennett and Peter Sarsgaard. While the new installment is very different than it's predecessor, it does a great job at putting together a diverse cast of quality actors and features updated looks and effects that make this shoot em up western thriller worth seeing.
When the Old West town of Rose Creek finds itself in the sights of money-hungry industrialist, Bartholomew Bogue (Sarsgaard), who is seeking gold, the townspeople look for a way to protect themselves by reaching out to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Washington). Chisolm recruits a gang of very different gunslinging men to defend the town and ultimately must face Bogue and his ruthless men.
Director Fuqua brings a more modern look at to a classic story of these seven heroic men. The basic plot is the same and the credits feature the theme song from the original that should please fans, but the names, races and occupations of characters have changed quite a bit. Instead of a primarily all white cast like the previous film, this version uses an assortment of characters which Fuqua believes better reflects the historical time period. This seven is made up of the gambler, Josh Faraday, war veteran, Goodnight Robicheaux, animal tracker, Jack Horne, knife-throwing Japanese cowboy, Billy Rocks, the outlaw, Vasquez, and a Comanche sharpshooter, Red Harvest.
Whether your a fan of the original films or not, "The Magnificent Seven" has a lot to offer and will hopefully help the western genre at the box office. Check it out this weekend at a theater near you.
"The Magnificent Seven" is rated PG-13 for extended and intense sequences of Western violence, and for historical smoking, some language and suggestive material. Running time is 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
A LOOK AHEAD AT WHAT MOVIES TO EXPECT NEXT
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children – When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the mystery and danger deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers. Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson and Judi Dench. Rated PG-13. Running time 127 min. Fantasy, Adventure.
Deepwater Horizon – A story set on the offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, which exploded during April 2010 and created the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Directed by Peter Berg. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Douglas M. Griffin, James DuMont. Rated PG-13. Running time 107 min. Action, Drama, Thriller.
Masterminds – A night guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history. Directed by Jared Hess. Starring Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Owen Wilson. Rated PG-13. Running time 94 min. Action, Comedy, Crime.
*American Honey – A teenage girl with nothing to lose joins a traveling magazine sales crew, and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard partying, law bending and young love as she criss-crosses the Midwest with a band of misfits. Directed by Andrea Arnold. Starring Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keough, McCaul Lombardi. Rated R. Running time 163 min. Drama.
*As a sneak peak, I've already had the chance to see "American Honey" and alls I can say is that I was blown away. It's an extreme indie style film that features first time actor Sasha Lane from Texas. This film is long and has quite a few slow, hit and miss moments, but it also has many strong scenes and involves solid acting from Lane and LaBeouf. It also is one of the wilder movies I've ever seen with a lot of graphic material.
See these films in theaters soon and look for our full reviews on Selig Film News.
