Film review: The Magnificent Seven – rip-roaring remake stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt

Antoine Fuqua's racially diverse update of classic plays to the traditions of the western genre – and also keeps faith with the Japanese inspiration for the original film.

Although it doesn’t have the emotional pull of the 1960 John Sturges classic, this modernisation of The Magnificent Seven is still a rip-roaring action western. Director Antoine Fuqua has done his research, and with the exception of a more racially inclusive approach to casting, the film plays to the traditions of the genre.

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When an industrialist violently takes over a small town, the inhabitants call on the aid of gruff gunslinger Chisolm (Denzel Washington) to help them out. Chisolm assembles a motley crew of seven hired hands, including a cocky young gun (Chris Pratt), a former Confederate sharpshooter (Ethan Hawke) and an Asian knife-thrower (Lee Byung-hun). While the Seven are initially motivated by payment, they end up defending the town in the name of truth, justice and the American way.