Movie Review: Seventh Son

I took this movie in with high expectations - the preview looks amazing, and I was hoping the movie would be as good as the trailer.

And it was....sort of. =-)

Upsides
I'll start with the positives.

The Cast
Julianne Moore is a great villain! Well done! I really wasn't sure what to think of her being cast in a role as an evil witch, but she did a tremendous job and deserves applause for pulling it off. You are amazing!

Ben Barnes, you play the unknowing yet willing apprentice well. Excellent choice, and kudos to you! he more I see you performing in, the more I am liking your skill. Keep going! Looking forward to your next project!

Jeff Bridges, it takes a while to get used to you with a strange, heavy accent, but I like the gruff, sometimes tough-love mentor, who at his core is a softy, but has learned to do what is necessary to win, and survive.

Olivia Williams, I think I love every role I have ever seen you in, and this is no different. I just think you rock! Love you girl!

I need to mention names of several other cast that I was happy to see in this film, and I think they all performed wonderfully!

Jason Scott Lee, Antje Traue, Kit Harington, Djimon Hounsou, and Kandyse McClure...thank you for putting your all into your respective roles. Bravo! Looking forward to seeing more of each of you in films to come!

Visual & Special FX and Animation
Holy crap, yes! There is no fault here at all. Honestly, I don't think I have ever seen a Ghast and other spectres as fantastically done as in Seventh Son! Shape changing was seamless. Magical effects were done with precision. Very, very, very well done. I'd like to add a few more very's on there.

Costuming, Art
Excellently done all around. Sets, props, wardrobe, excellent work from all of you! Your talent here made it easy to believe the world was real if taken solely from this perspective. Take a bow, you deserve it!

Downsides

Story
And here is where the movie falls down - the script. This movie had so much potential! I am not sure if it is the writers, director, or simply rushing the plot along to try and capitalize on action to tell the story. Maybe all three.

You get dropped into a world of fantasy, but no one is there to explain the rules of the world or of magic, or of anything else that is happening. You don't know the politics, the history of the local land or any characters, nothing. It would be like jumping into Game of Thrones for the first time mid-way through Season 3 - you don't have enough of the history to truly understand and appreciate what is happening, and you'll likely spend a lot of time asking your friends what's going on and why.

This could have been handled by adding in a total of about 10 minutes of film time, dispersed through the entire feature. For example, at the beginning start with some text and a voice over (think the opening to The Highlander here), describing the land, describing what setting we're in, what world it is, and basically setting the stage. Doing that would have allowed the audience a chance to settle in, get comfortable with this realm, and enjoy the story.

Instead nothing is explained to start, and the explanations that do come along are one-sentence attempts with no background. It is difficult at best to feel like you are part of the story, rather then simply watching it on a screen.

Again, this movie had tremendous potential, but someone dropped the ball. I can't fault any of the actors, from the A-listers down to every extra. They did their best with what they were told and with what they had available to them. The full burden of responsibility here falls to direction and writing, I believe.

Opportunities
The opportunity for moments of romance, comedy, and dramatic effect were completely lost in this film. Each scene was telegraphed before it happened. So flat. Entertaining? Yes, but could have been enchanting as well.

The worst of these is the final epic battle. Literally in one moment there is a war going, and the next it's over. I will state again: so many missed opportunities in this film. Video games like the Mass Effect series, Dragon Age, and Skyrim have done a better job at building dramatic tension and releasing it for the audience to feel the amazement of the conclusion. Director, writers, what were you thinking?

Overall rating
I usually don't give a rating, but this time I will. 6.5 out of 10 - and that is all solidly because of (lack of) Direction and poor script choices.

Should you see the film? I would still say yes, as it does have its moments and is still entertaining. My advice is to go in with no expectations, or you will automatically be disappointed. Just see it for the great efforts by cast and crew, and you will enjoy it.