The last time there was this much testosterone in one place
is when the Russian women’s track team were in town. With all the dead bodies
the magnificent seven shot they used every bit of their hormone. As gruesome as
this sounds the movie is uplifting and enjoyable. The bad guy, played by Peter Sarsgaad,
is murdering the locals and pillaging the town for its gold. The good guy,
Denzel Washington, who ironically is all dressed in black riding a black horse
is hired by a widow seeking revenge for the death of her husband.
The movie harkens back to the old western films. The town is
a bunch of rickety wooden buildings. There are sweeping landscapes with red rock
formations shaped like castles. There were the usual western outposts: the general
stores, and the undertaker looking for business. There are saloon women of
questionable reputations. These “ladies” looked a hell of a lot better than the
original 1960 movie (but what did I know I was 11 at the time).
The cast is
wonderful. Their comradery was a work in progress jelling together at the
critical moment; they are sympatico. All seven play important roles, but Denzel
Washington, Chris Platt and Ethan Hawke have air time. Denzel is a steely eyed
gun slinger who leads the seven. Chris Pratt delivers comic banter, but he is a
dead shot also. Ethan Hawke is a former confederate soldier haunted by past
battles. Peter Sarsgaad interpretation
of evil is sublime. With his pinched sweaty face and beady eyes, he kills without
compunction. The body count in the movie
is impress but without gore. The bitter taste of revenge is palatable
.
What was impressive about the movie was the minor characters
contributed to movie with their own back stories and heroic deeds. The widow,
played by Haley Bennett, held her own in the gun fights. She was the spirit of
the resistance and a natural leader
.
Honorable mention goes to Denzel Washington’s body double.
His trick riding was quite impressive. No way did Denzel do that ridding. Oh,
do I assume too much? I am sure Denzel and I acquired our equestrian skills at
the same place, the Merry-Go-Round at Coney Island.
Homage must be paid to Akera Kurasawa’s film the Seven
Samari which inspired both versions of the Magnificent Seven. Domo Agrigato.
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