If you know me, you know I am not a big fan of remakes. Most of the time remakes are just awful. I especially don’t like a remade film being completely changed plot wise. Is it so hard to come up with new characters for your new updated plot on classic stories???
Now with that being said, I don’t dislike all remakes. Some are done quite well, quite well. Some are done very tastefully and paying homage to the original. Bringing you a story you know and love, and making it more, making it better, giving you a brand new experience. As if you were seeing it for the first time.

I am in awe of director Antoine Fuqua and his crew on their remake of The Magnificent Seven. So much so, I sat and watched the movie several times, watched ALL of the extras several times, then watch the movie a couple more times. They did an amazing job on this film. Building their own town to film in, the stunt horses, the stunt men, the real gunslinger, I mean they really went all out on this movie. And on top of all that, they got the very best cast possible. A cast that would be a dream to work with. Men who worked so well together, you could see the friendships beaming through the screen.

The cast includes Denzel Washington as Sam Chisolm, Chris Pratt as Josh Farraday, Ethan Hawke as Goodnight RobIcheaux, Lee Byung-hun as Billy Rocks, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Vasquez, Vincent D’Onofrio as Jack Horne, and Martin Sensmeier as Red Harvest, as our magnificent seven. With Peter Sarsgaard as bad guy Bartholomew Bogue, Haley Bennett as Emma Cullen, a woman who will do anything to save her town, and Luke Grimes as Teddy Q, Emma’s friend. This is just naming a handful of this kickass cast. (PS It was really good seeing Denzel, Ethan, and Antoine together again.)

The town of Rose Creek has been taken under control by Bartholomew Bogue and his lackeys. They’ve taken over everything, including the gold mine.

After her husband and several other townspeople are killed in the middle of the street by Bogue and his men, Emma Cullen decides to take matters into her own hands. She and friend, Teddy, set out on a mission to hire guns to protect and regain their town. She runs into warrant officer Sam Chisolm, who at first turns her down, but after hearing who she’s dealing with, agrees to help.

(Now before Emma and Sam run into each other, the audience is given a pretty damn awesome “gunslinging” sequence. It really wasn’t much of a fight lol, but Sam gets his point across to everyone. He is a force you don’t really want to mess with.)

Along the way back to Rose Creek, Chisolm picks up some of the very best and most deadly men out there. I really don’t want to give too much detail in how each was gathered into this group. I really couldn’t do justice. Each encounter with each new man was really unique and impressive. It’s something you really need to see to really enjoy. Immediately though, the director shows you why each man was chosen, in a series of crazy situations. For me, it’s a toss-up between Jack Horne and Billy Rocks on the best first meetings.

Once everyone is gathered, the crew heads for Rose Creek. This is where (pardon my language) shit goes down. The taking back of Rose Creek was probably one of the best action sequences I’ve seen in a while. I say that because it’s real. Yes, there are stunt men and stunt horses, and the guns are loaded with blanks, but it’s not computer generated. We got real people falling and jumping and getting run over by horses. And to me, that just makes the scene all that more awesome. What made it even better was knowing these actors had worked with these guns for months, off-screen, so all the twirling quick draws, everything, is done by them, themselves. Talk about impressive.

Now you don’t just take back a town and not have consequences. These men must now prepare these townsfolk for the fight of their life. That’s not going to be an easy task as none of these men are fighters. They’re all hard-working farmers just trying to make a life. But they’re not just going to give up everything they’ve worked for without a fight.

The final showdown, I don’t even know how to explain it. It was magnificent. It had my heart racing, tears in my eyes, and me cheering along. I watched a movie where seven men, seven, fought for people, for a town, that they had no claim on. They knew their lives, as well as all the townspeople, were in danger and they still stood tall and took on everything in their way. I watched a movie that though it’s just for entertainment, could teach us a little something about standing up for what’s right. I watched a movie that touched me, in ways I didn’t expect it to.

Each actor put his own spin on his character. And they did so marvelously. I enjoyed each and every person. I was thoroughly impressed, especially with Mr. Hawke’s portrayal of Goodnight. These men are jewels in the entertainment world.

Now this must be said, I’ve seen Manuel Garcia-Rulfo on From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and was really excited to see him in this movie. Manuel blew it away! I can’t even lie, he made this woman right here melt. (Are ya single Manuel?? kidding kidding) But I would love to interview this man!!
Sooooo….Manuel….should I have my people call your people??? 😉 😉 😉

I highly recommend this film. I highly recommend watching ALL of the extras.

Pick up your copy of Magnificent Seven anywhere dvds/blu rays are sold!!! Like now! Don’t wait around!

Have you seen Magnificent Seven? What were your thoughts on it? Let me know.

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