Seventh Son Blu-ray Review
I’m officially burnt out. These fantasies, book adaptations, glorified, CGI messes need to stop. I can only stand so much world building in a year. I already have to keep up with Marvel’s world, DC’s world, HUNGER GAMES, and all these other worlds. It’s bad enough that SEVENTH SON tries to introduce another one that vaguely tries to tell a story. SEVENTH SON is certainly not the last of these kinds of movies, but it’d be nice to believe that maybe someone will read this and seek pity on American audiences and, most importantly, me.
SEVENTH SON’s saving grace is the pace at which it moves. It’s very fast, but it’s also very ostentatious during its brief time. It doesn’t so much see plot as a necessity to its story, but more of something that gets in the way of trying to wow you. Why is Mother Malkin (Moore) imprisoned? Who cares? She’s now going to be a dragon. Be amazed by the shimmering scales presented to you through the use of computer graphics. What would make this cooler? Breaking out of her confinement and eating people. How did a mortal like John Gregory (Bridges) capture her if she’s so powerful? Who cares? He’s a cool aged warrior, mixing Jack Burton and Gandalf together. He’s ready to imprison the dragon lady again.
That’s about as detailed as our opening moments are. If there’s anything I can complement SEVENTH SON on, it’s Moore and Bridges’ acting and how much scenery they end up chewing when they have to. Even when it seems like they’re not trying, they’re certainly bringing a high level of energy. Maybe acting just comes naturally at this point in one’s storied career. As for everyone else, I can’t really give the same glowing endorsement to them.
Since John is a scruffy old man by the time Mother Malkin escapes, he has an apprentice hanging around, eating up every bit of information he says. As if Kit Harrington wasn’t a good enough actor for the role, his character is killed in an attempt to capture Mother Malkin. Now we follow John as he scours the land for his next trainee, or victim, depending on how you look at his training methods. Since John is apparently a seer, or because someone forgot to clearly write how he knows, he already knows where to find his next follower.
Tom Ward (Barnes) is the answer, but it’s a not an answer that will be clear as of yet. SEVENTH SON tells us up front that it’s because he’s the seventh son of a seventh son, which I guess means he’s of supernatural abilities. We’ll eventually find out why he’s special, but it doesn’t quite explain the whole seventh son of a seventh son ‘phenomenon’. That phrase just ends up reminding me of the band, Iron Maiden, so it really holds nothing spiritual or mysterious for me.
SEVENTH SON has a grand vision, but no way of executing it. Its visual spectacle is supposedly there to replace the lack of plot. At times it’s difficult to follow because of how swiftly it moves through plot points and skips over scenes that should be filled with exposition. By the time the explosive third act takes place, it’s a bit of a yawn since there’s no viewer empathy for what’s happening. While Bridges and Moore definitely bring an enjoyable presence to an otherwise dull movie, it’d be much more fun to see them in a BIG LEBOWSKI reunion.
BLU-RAY REVIEW
Video: (1080p Widescreen 2:39:1) If only the script was as well polished as the movie. The presentation on this blu-ray is crystal clear.
Audio: (English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1) The mixing on this movie is very well-balanced. Despite the roar of a dragon and the crumbling of structures, it’s balances blissfully with dialogue.
Alternate Ending (1:16): This is a fraction different from the original ending, but not enough to notice if you watch the features weeks after the movie.
Deleted/Altered Scenes (26:41): If you’re looking at any evidence that this may have been a real narrative mess to piece together and film, look no further than this feature. There are 15 different scenes that you can play altogether or separately. One scene in particular has two different alterations from the last one. The most bizarre removal is the first deleted scene, the Prison Escape, which offers a decent exposition which could have drastically helped.
The Making of SEVENTH SON (25:03): This feature is broken down into the three parts, Defenders of Good, Resurrecting the Wicked, and Forging a Medieval Realm. Focus heavily on characters, designs, props, and creating the world around our characters.
Legend and Lore of the Seventh Son (3:33): A short feature that doesn’t necessarily specify if it’s based on real life lore or lore within the confines of the movie’s backstory. I can only assume it’s real. It’s one of the most interesting features, but at three minutes, feels lacking.
Visual Effects Galley: Half a minute to minute long videos highlighting the visual effects creations for four scenes. Visually tells you how they created some of the scenes, but too short to be interesting.