Antoine Fuqua’s remake of the 2016 Western thriller The Magnificent Seven received a mixed bag of reviews despite sporting one of the highest opening weekend surges at the box office. It was praised for its star-studded cast, spearheaded by Denzel Washington; it was often criticized for its lack of originality. That’s a strange criticism to have about a remake.
The original 1960 western is itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Washington’s film was applauded for its individual performances and action sequences, but critics thought it missed the mark on the themes of the original and failed to add anything fresh. In the years since the film’s release, those critiques have become the strength of The Magnificent Seven.
Denzel Washington Leads the Way in This Western Remake
Wearing a black hat and black shirt, Denzel Washington points at someone in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)Image via Scott Garfield / Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
The Western seems to make a comeback at the box office on a cycle. Every decade seems to bring a handful of attempts to revive it, and only a few truly capture what made it great. What sets The Magnificent Seven apart is its balance of old and new. For his first official Western performance, Denzel Washington steals the show.
Washington’s performance as bounty hunter Sam Chisholm is a reminder of his vast range as a leading man. Washington plays Chisholm with strict patience, a dangerous man who takes time to study his surroundings before reaching for his gun. He’s calculated in his actions, which contrasts perfectly with the rest of the cast. His authority comes across in his demeanor.
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Washington’s Chisholm differs significantly from his 1960 counterpart in the original The Magnificent Seven. In the original, the leader of the seven, Chris Adams, portrayed by Yul Brynner, is an outlaw gunslinger who takes on the job strictly for financial gain. While this is the initial lure for Chisholm, he has his own secret score to settle with the villain.
The script doesn’t spell out Chisholm’s hidden motives until the end, but it’s clear to the audience and other characters that there is something unspoken beneath the surface. His personal conflict with mining tycoon Bartholomew Bogue, portrayed by actor Peter Sarsgaard, is one of the reasons the film hits harder on a rewatch. It adds more depth to Washington’s character.
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Chisholm is a bounty hunter, but Washington doesn’t lean into the swagger often associated with that role. Instead, he approaches him like someone who has seen enough violence to understand its cost. He’s lost his family to tragedy, and that follows him. It’s the nuance that Washington brings to the character that makes Chisolm stand out among other Western heroes.
There’s a sliver of darkness in the character that keeps him grounded and from jumping into the fantasy lane. The balance between his stern calmness and internal turmoil gives the character life that keeps Chisolm from becoming too one-dimensional. This makes it easier for the audience to understand and relate to his motivations when his history is revealed.
Denzel Washington Is Supported by an All-Star Cast in The Magnificent Seven
Joshua holds a gun on someone in a saloon in The Magnificent Seven (2016)Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
One of the most praised aspects of The Magnificent Seven is the star-studded ensemble cast surrounding Denzel Washington. The actors live alongside each other, and not one performance outshines the other. The other characters bring distinct and varied personalities to the table, making them memorable in their own way and giving the group real texture.
Each character fills a specific void and niche, and the chemistry between them is what gives The Magnificent Seven its soul. The first major addition to Chisholm’s crew is Josh Faraday, played by Chris Pratt with his usual comedic charm. Pratt gives Faraday a loose, unpredictable streak that immediately shifts the energy and helps set the tone for the team.
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The Black Phone star Ethan Hawke plays Cajun sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux, a man who is legendary for his sniping skills, but is clearly carrying trauma from his past alongside him. He’s hesitant to join the shootout when the seven ride into town, and Faraday takes notice. Robicheaux’s past is fleshed out enough to keep the audience guessing, leaving just enough mystery.
Robicheaux is aided by his friend and secret bodyguard Billy Rocks, portrayed by Byung-hun Lee, a knife-fighting master. Robicheaux has trouble killing, and Billy has become his traveling companion and muscle. Billy steps in whenever Robicheaux hesitates. It’s clear to the audience that their partnership is built on trust and loyalty, relying on each other to stay alive.
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Full Metal Jacket alumnus Vincent D’Onofrio is one of the last men to join The Magnificent Seven. His character, Jack Horne, is seasoned and tough, but D’Onofrio infuses him with eccentric humor. Jack Horne’s oddball delivery and unexpected gentleness make him stand out, giving the group another layer of personality. Horne is worn down and religious, but still very dangerous.
The rest of the seven is filled out wonderfully by Manuel Garcia-Ruflo as the Mexican outlaw Vasquez and Martin Sensmeier as Red Harvest, a Comanche warrior. Both actors give the group its final spark of personality. Vasquez brings sharp wit and quick reflexes, while Red Harvest adds a calm, steady presence that balances the louder members of the team.
Despite Critiques, The Magnificent Seven Works as a Modern Western
Ethan Hawke smoking in The Magnificent SevenImage via Sony Pictures
When The Magnificent Seven was released, it faced a fair share of criticism. Some called it formulaic, and a few questioned whether Hollywood needed yet another remake of a classic. Almost a decade later, much of that criticism feels outdated. In many ways, what critics saw as shortcomings are the elements that make the film work as a modern Western.
The Magnificent Seven thrives because of its straightforward entertainment value, which was viewed as a hindrance initially by reviewers. The casting choices and action-oriented plot have made it age gracefully despite the negative outlook. Director Antoine Fuqua structures the film like a typical popcorn Western, and that’s exactly what the majority of viewers want, even today.
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The simplicity of the plot, a small town under siege that is saved by a band of unlikely heroes, is exactly what makes it thrive. The villain is not morally ambiguous, but clearly defined. Fuqua doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel and instead lets the Western excel at what it does best, delivering suspense, action and satisfying character moments throughout.
The over-the-top action sequences were a topic of contention, but as can be seen by the overwhelming success of Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, viewers crave that in a Western. The action scenes are crafted in a way to pay homage to classic Westerns without treading into the realm of parody. The shootouts unfold in a fun manner to keep the viewer engaged.
The cast itself wasn’t necessarily overlooked by reviewers, but they may have underestimated the importance of having a leading man such as Washington taking the helm. A quality lead can elevate the material beyond its initial scope, and Washington and company do just that. What critics claimed to be formulaic, audiences have proven to be straightforward and entertaining.
Denzel Washington’s Western Remake Has Aged Well
The cast of the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven.Image via Sony
Denzel Washington’s The Magnificent Seven has earned its place among the most beloved modern Westerns in the hearts of fans. It may not have received praise from critics, but its strengths have endured and bubbled to the surface over time. It pays respect to its predecessors while fitting comfortably within the modern space of the genre.
The film trusts the audience to enjoy what it is. It doesn’t critique the genre or lean heavily into the gritty realism seen in some of its contemporaries. It focuses on delivering clear storytelling, engaging characters and exciting action sequences. The Magnificent Seven allows viewers to immerse themselves in the Western experience without distraction or overcomplication.
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There’s no doubt that Denzel Washington is the heartbeat of the movie’s success, but the supporting characters provide the personality that makes the group dynamic compelling. There’s a mixture of tension and humor that makes the experience of watching The Magnificent Seven both entertaining and exciting, building off the unique energy of each character that keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.
There’s no dense story and mythology to follow and catch up on. Theoretically, a viewer could jump into the middle of the story, follow along and still enjoy the ride. This could be interpreted as a simple story, but it just allows its characters and action to take center stage. It will reward the audience’s attention without demanding it.
Director Antoine Fuqua and the excellent cast don’t bite off more than they can chew with The Magnificent Seven. In many ways, it is a standard remake. However, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Audiences revisit it not because it reinvents the Western genre, but because it embraces what Westerns do best and executes it with skill.
Release Date
September 23, 2016
Runtime
132 minutes
Writers
Richard Wenk, Nic Pizzolatto
Producers
Roger Birnbaum
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Denzel Washington
Sam Chisolm
