In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscar® winner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesied hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.
Seventh Son, directed by Sergei Bodrov, is the perfect action-fantasy-adventure to kickoff 2015. Ben Barnes did an excellent job as the “Seventh Son,” keeping a serious attitude about the mission ahead yet being light-hearted enough to humble himself for his mother’s sake, fall in love, and add quick quips of humor here and there.
It’s almost as if this love affair with Jeff Bridges was planned months ahead of time. Fresh off his two Super Bowl commercial sightings, he stars as Master Gregory, and has the task of prepping Tom (Ben Barnes) for the impending battle with Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore). The majority of the humor in the film comes from Bridges and it’s welcomed. A hero with a soft heart that’s been hardened by hardship and never leaves his flask behind. The presence of Alice (Alicia Vikander) was that of a witch, torn between following her kinds’ disposition for humans and her love for Tom. Did I mention Julianne Moore played an excellent bad guy? She should take on antagonistic roles more often, she made for a great witch in the film.
Seventh Son gets an 8 out of 10. This should definitely be viewed in IMAX 3D, and if IMAX isn’t available in your location then at the very least, 3D. This is worth seeing opening weekend and its 1hr 42 mins runtime makes for a good show anytime of the day. The storyline is solid and most importantly, everything is explained, from the origins of Tom’s mother and Master Gregory to Mother Malkin. This will be an exceptional opening weekend for fantasy adventures.
-Jon J.