The Magnificent Seven (2016) • The Next Reel

"I’ll say a prayer for you. A little prayer."

Antoine Fuqua has talked about how much a fan he is of both westerns and of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai. Knowing that, it’s frustrating to see that his retelling of Kurosawa’s film transplanted to the old west doesn’t stand as strong as Kurosawa’s film or even as strong as John Sturges’ own 1960 version, the original The Magnificent Seven. Still, it has a great cast playing some colorful characters and while largely forgettable is still enjoyable enough. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Seven Samurai Family series with Fuqua’s 2016 remake The Magnificent Seven. 

We talk about the thread of DNA starting with Seven Samurai and where it leaves this current iteration, knowing that the writers were largely pulling from Sturges’ remake while Fuqua and actor Denzel Washington were finding more inspiration from Kurosawa’s original film. We chat about Fuqua and the writers, wondering what they were each bringing to the table and why it didn’t feel as strong as it should have. We discuss the cast, how nice it is to see more diversity and how frustrating it is that those diverse elements don’t get as much to do. And we look at the locations, contemplating the movie magic they must’ve employed to create the old west in Louisiana where it was filmed primarily. 

It’s a faulted re-telling of this story, though we both acknowledge that people coming to this film without knowing its DNA roots may find it completely enjoyable. As frustrating as it may be for us, we still find it enjoyable to discuss. So check out the movie then tune in!

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