Seven assorted losers / misfits / warriors are brought together to defend a lost cause against overwhelming attacking forces. However, the setting here is Rochester Castle, and our defenders are opposing the forces of villainous King John, who is seeking to tear up Magna Carta.
Yes, it is essentially the Magnificent Seven again, but everything is cold and wet and miserable and grey and covered in mud.
Paul Giamatti is King John. He is an actor I usually like: here he is demonstrating the I Shout A Lot With An English Accent School of Acting.
Brian Cox is Quirky Baron With Anachronistic Turn Of Phrase Who Utters Pithy Defiance While Having Limbs Hacked Off.
Derek Jacobi plays Dignified Aged Castle Owner With Trophy Wife Who Resents Being Put In This Position Then Commits Suicide For No Apparent Reason.
James Purefoy is Miseryguts But Valiant Knight Templar Who Allows Himself To Be Seduced By Trophy Wife But Then The Film Doesn't Make Anything Of It.
Kate Mara plays Trophy Wife Who Remains Incredibly Clean While Everyone Else Is Covered In Filth. I keep waiting for Kate Mara to have a break out film - she is both talented and photogenic - but I don't think this will be it.
Mackenzie Crook plays Legolas Only Not So Clean Or Good Looking Or Immortal.
There are lots of fights. Lots of Blood. Much hacking and chopping and graphic violence. The battle scenes would have been well served with some action blur: unfortunately, like much digital action, what results is a kind of pixillated stop-motion rather than blur.
Don't expect the film to explain its title.
This film was OK, but no better.
Yes, it is essentially the Magnificent Seven again, but everything is cold and wet and miserable and grey and covered in mud.
Paul Giamatti is King John. He is an actor I usually like: here he is demonstrating the I Shout A Lot With An English Accent School of Acting.
Brian Cox is Quirky Baron With Anachronistic Turn Of Phrase Who Utters Pithy Defiance While Having Limbs Hacked Off.
Derek Jacobi plays Dignified Aged Castle Owner With Trophy Wife Who Resents Being Put In This Position Then Commits Suicide For No Apparent Reason.
James Purefoy is Miseryguts But Valiant Knight Templar Who Allows Himself To Be Seduced By Trophy Wife But Then The Film Doesn't Make Anything Of It.
Kate Mara plays Trophy Wife Who Remains Incredibly Clean While Everyone Else Is Covered In Filth. I keep waiting for Kate Mara to have a break out film - she is both talented and photogenic - but I don't think this will be it.
Mackenzie Crook plays Legolas Only Not So Clean Or Good Looking Or Immortal.
There are lots of fights. Lots of Blood. Much hacking and chopping and graphic violence. The battle scenes would have been well served with some action blur: unfortunately, like much digital action, what results is a kind of pixillated stop-motion rather than blur.
Don't expect the film to explain its title.
This film was OK, but no better.