Today’s quick review: Seventh Son. After the witch Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) escapes her prison, Sir Gregory (Jeff Bridges), a knight tasked with fighting darkness, sets out to replace the apprentice she killed. To fill the job, he finds Tom Ward (Ben Barnes), a young swineherd with brief glimpses of the future. With the Blood Moon approaching, Gregory has only days to train his new apprentice before Malkin reaches the height of her power.
Seventh Son is a fantasy action movie based on a novel by Joseph Delaney. Seventh Son uses modern special effects to bring to life a fantasy world of witches, demons, and all manner of beasts. Between its fairly capable leads, its reasonably high produdction values, and its assortment of action, Seventh Son clears the bar for a watchable fantasy flick. However, weaknesses in its world-building and characterization strip it of much of its potential.
Seventh Son suffers from a peculiar problem with its writing. The basics of its characters and setting are fine, but the way they are presented is almost backwards. Characteres who only just met act as if they know each other well. The plot spins out new developments before they are properly explained. The parts of the world that are most unique are barely explored while the simplest and least satisfying are front and center.
The result is a competent movie that fails to resonate. Beyond the film’s writing, its leads are a mixed bag. Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges lend the movie some star power, although their roles do not make full use of their talents. Ben Barnes is somewhat lacking as a protagonist, but not enough so to derail the movie. The action is not particularly creative, but there’s plenty of it and the special effects are enough to get the job done.
None of its issues stop Seventh Son from being a serviceable entry into its genre. Give it a shot when you have a hankering for fantasy action with a youth fiction vibe. Give it a pass if you’re looking for something groundbreaking or exceptional. For a darker fantasy action film, check out Solomon Kane or Season of the Witch. For a fantasy action movie of lower quality and greater charm, check out In the Name of the King.
5.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for fine action and a decent fantasy world let down by issues with its characters and writing.