The Magnificent Seven (2016) is a downloadable Western film directed by Antoine Fuqua, best known for his work on films like Training Day and The Equalizer series. It is a remake of the film The Magnificent Seven from 1960, which is, in turn, a remake of the classic 1954 Japanese film, The Seven Samurai.
It’s as classic as a Western tale gets, with plenty of gunslinging action. Solid performances from a standout cast make this an oddly compelling cowboy tale. At it’s worst, it’s slow and basic in nature, but The Magnificent Seven ends up being a surprisingly enjoyable film.
How to Stream or Download The Magnificent Seven
To stream or to download the full movie click on the link below the review. The film can be streamed or it can be downloaded in HD or watched in 4K if you have Apple TV 4K. If you like Western movies, then perhaps you would also like to download and check out a Western game. A great choice is Red Dead Redemption 2.
The Film Review
The story of The Magnificent Seven is very cookie-cutter when it comes to the Western genre. That’s not exactly a bad thing, as the straightforward narrative gives us extra time to get familiar with the many characters.
The Plot
The film centers around the small town of Rose Creek in the late 1800s, where dozens of civilians are forced into labor by the villainous businessman Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard). Bogue forces the townsfolk to work at his nearby gold mine, and his cold and unfeeling violence makes the town a constant place of danger.
Desperate to save their town and get rid of Bogue, two townsfolk go searching for bounty hunters to help them.
The pair run into Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), a warrant officer searching for criminals to bring in. After convincing him to join their cause, Sam ventures out to recruit six more able-bodied men.
For the most part, the beginning of the film sees our titular seven gunslingers meeting up. Early on, Sam recruits the help of Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), a wise-cracking gambler with a mean shot. Along with the two Rose Creek citizens, the two end up meeting a slew of interesting characters.
The Magnificent Seven Characters
Despite the film’s basic story, the narrative manages to succeed thanks to a great cast of characters and excellent cinematography. Of the seven gunslingers that attempt to save Rose Creek, each of them are different and unique.
Besides Chisolm and Faraday, some standout characters include the high-pitched speaking and murderous Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), the knife wielding Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), and the timid war veteran Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke).
Not every character gets the same amount of backstory and development, but they are all serviceable and likable characters.
Watching the characters interact and mingle is usually interesting, but there can be a few lulls towards the middle of the film. However, a constant string of action, gunfights, and suspense keep things refreshing.
The Action
Director Antoine Fuqua’s history with the action genre serves him well here, as each action scene is fun and exciting to watch. This goes doubly true for the lengthy climactic standoff in Rose Creek, which hits all the marks for a great wild West shootout.
The entire film is beautifully shot, juxtaposed by a visual layer of dirt and grime that covers every character and location. Not only is the movie impressive on the eyes, but it also feels authentic in tone and atmosphere.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a fan of the Western genre, The Magnificent Seven is an excellent choice. It might not break new ground, but the action and storytelling are well worth the time. Occasionally the movie slows down a bit and things can get dull, but this never stays the case for long. For the majority of its two hours and twelve minute run time, The Magnificent Seven is an absolute treat.
