What is the Magnificent Seven remake worth?

Here is our review of the western worn by Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D’Onofrio…

In September 2016, Antoine Fuqa presented his version of Seven Mercenaries at the opening of TIFF. The director of Training Day and Equalizer then found Denzel Washington for this project, which also features Chris Pratt, Vincent D’Onofrio Or Ethan Hawke.

France 3 benefits from the theatrical releaseEqualizer 3 to rebroadcast this western inspired by a great classic of American cinema (which was itself adapted from a Japanese film). Is this new version worth it? Here is our verdict.

Why Denzel Washington is forever

Does this re-remake live up to the classics ofAkira Kurosawa and of John Sturges ? Not quite, but it is nevertheless entertaining:

“In the American Old West, seven gunslingers join forces to help villagers deal with their attackers. Akira Kurosawa’s 7 Samurai has gone beyond its status as an adventure film matrix to become an original myth: a folk standard playing with eras and fashions through reinterpretations. We draw from it parodies (Three Amigos), cartoons (1001 Pattes) and somewhat dull remakes of remakes, like this Seven Mercenaries resuming – the joy and the “extraordinary going less” – the refrain of John Sturges’ film shot in 1960. Modernity obliges, the work of adaptation consists of instilling a desire for revenge and psychological motivations in the characters. They are not gunslingers left to their own devices driven by a sense of honor and camaraderie, but depressed cowboys (and an Indian) seeking to cure their inner ailments. Suffice to say that we’re not having much fun…

With the exception of Denzel Washington and Vincent D’Onofrio, the actors gesticulate (Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke are appalling) and the “theme” chosen in place of Leonard Bernstein’s euphoric fanfare gives the drone. Luckily, Fuqua approaches the job as a mercenary and, as usual, pulls off a visual flash or two (Denzel at dusk on his horse). After an American summer filled with sketchy films and unfinished special effects, The Magnificent Seven offers significant therapy: a well-lit and well-framed western.
Benjamin Rozovas

Trailer :

Denzel Washington in Seven Secret Boots