Is it a masterpiece? No. But does it entertain you as a film should? Definitely. The acting is all great, but of course it is with so many fantastic actors. Chris Pratt once again is the stand out star in my opinion. He's his usual hilarious, charming and cool self. They did a great job with the fight scenes, special effects/practical effects and the writing is also really well done. An all around good movie. The only thing I can really fault it for is not having more speaking roles for actresses. Only one susbstantial female role in the whole movie. Other than that is was really good.

Possibly inspired by the successful remakes, or better said, retakes on the classic westerns "True Grit" and "3:10 to Yuma," director Antoine Fuqua's "The Magnificent Seven" is an appealing take on the 1960 classic, which starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, Robert Vaughn, and James Coburn. Fuqua's version cannot compete with the John Sturges original in star power; Denzel Washington is the only cast member in the same league with Brynner, McQueen, Bronson, and Coburn. However, the film boasts a few fine supporting players like Peter Sarsgaard as the slimey Bartholomew Bogue, who is out to ruthlessly grab land from under a town of peaceful God-fearing homesteaders; Sarsgaard is only missing a black mustache to twirl as the personification of the Bad Guy. Vincent D'Onofrio is colorful as Jack Horne, whose girth nearly qualifies the film to be "The Magnificent Seven and a Half," and Ethan Hawke is fine as Goodnight Robicheaux, a gambler with issues and a Chinese sidekick. Led by an African-American law officer, Fuqua's seven are an almost comically diverse group of strays that reflect today's America far more than the earlier cast. Denzel Washington is Chisholm, who is enlisted by the beleaguered townspeople, headed by a strong-willed widow, Emma Cullen, played by Haley Bennett. Reluctantly accepting the challenge to rid the town of Bogue, Chisholm assembles a motley crew that includes a Comanche Indian with a Mohawk haircut, the Chinese sidekick, an overweight senior citizen, the aforementioned widow, a Mexican, a Confederate veteran, and a hunky white guy played by Chris Pratt. These magnificent seven are about as politically correct as any central casting could conceive.Inspired by Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai," the story is simple, straightforward, and familiar. Penned by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk, the film arguably lingers too long on the introductory sequences for each character. However, the threads pull together and lead to an effective action-packed climax, which is fun, but as implausible as is the assembly of such a diverse group of gun people on the late-19th-century frontier. The film features a fine score by the late James Horner, but the iconic Elmer Bernstein theme is missed, although heard briefly over the closing credits. With Washington as a solid lead, "The Magnificent Seven" is an above-average western remake that just misses the high marks hit by "True Grit" and "3:10 to Yuma," but remains entertaining nevertheless.

Movie Review: "The Magnificent Seven" (2016)Director Antoine Fuqua, on a high tide in Hollywood with two hits in 2014 "The Equalizer" and "South Paw" in 2015 respectively, takes on a remake of a remake, based on "Seven Samurai" directed by Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), utilizing the established classic western setting from John Sturges's Hollywood remake in season 1959/1960.The ensemble cast is magnificent. All up front leading actor Denzel Washington as the character Chisolm, who shares screen-time with side-kick humour-integrating actor Chris Pratt as Faraday. Together they assemble the Seven to protect villagers against ruthless playing antagonist Bartholomew Bogue, portrayed by actor Peter Sarsgaard. Screenwriter Nic Pizzolatto, known for preparing the outstanding TV-series "True Detective" (2014-2018), turns all twisting corners in order to make the 2016 upgrade of the original worthwhile; a great entertainment to encounter at any time. Supporting actor Ethan Hawke, performing as Goodnight Ribecheaux, lets us feel the struggle of showing one of the newly created characters for the picture as a sharp-shooter, finding his target point again, through the on-going exciting storyline.The secret ingredients of a pure out for entertainment screenplay has been further creatively adapted from the original from 1954, where seven samurai in feudalistic Japan were the defenders of the villagers, and the 1960 also star-spangled western remake with actors Steve McQueen & Yul Brynner (1920-1985) leading ahead in order to make a action-drive with push-pull dynamics in cinematography by Mauro Fiore, and surprising turning points that are not already given away upfront when the spectre knows the predecessor's picture inside out as just happened with this month's "Murder On The Orient Express" (2017) directed and starred by Kenneth Branagh.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

A remake of a great film that is a remake of an even greater film (Akira Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai'), there are worse remakes out there than 2016's 'The Magnificent Seven'. Primarily 'Psycho', 'The Wicker Man', 'Rollerball', 'Ghostbusters' and 'Stepford Wives'.'The Magnificent Seven' has its strengths but fails to live up to its title and one does question the point of it. It is well made visually, with an atmospherically gritty look and an evocative setting. Some of the action excites and the direction has a dark grit that is typical of Antoine Fuqua. While it is nowhere near as unforgettable or as iconic as one of film's all time great scores, James Horner's score here is demonstrative of what a great talent he was and how his tragic far too early death is still a sad loss.Casting is very variable, some of the acting is very good, some of it doesn't work. The best performances come from Denzel Washington, charismatic as ever, Ethan Hawke excelling in an atypical role and Haley Bennett mixing toughness and vulnerability adeptly. The most interesting character relationship is between Washington and Hawke and gives the film the few glimpses of realism and substance. Lee Byung-hun is also good fun.Others don't fare so well, not helped by that most of the characters are not that interesting and sketchily developed. Didn't think either Chris Pratt or Vincent D'Onofrio, both decent and more in other things, fitted particularly well, Pratt especially jarred and his humorous lines lack wit and don't gel. Faring the worst is Peter Sarsgaard, who just isn't sinister or intense enough, even in a severely underwritten role he looks like he's sleepwalking.While there's a lot of blood and violence, there is little soul or heart underneath and some of it is gratuitous. The dialogue is awkward, particularly the humour which falls flat and often feels misplaced. The story suffers from an overlong length, a sluggish pace, a lack of tension or suspense and heavy-handed and pointless political elements. Won't carp about the political correctness like some have but it doesn't add anything. The illogical and anaemic ending underwhelms drastically as well.In summary, has its strengths but not so magnificent and one does question the point of it. 5/10 Bethany Cox