I’m surprised I seem to be the first person to review the film Se7en (Seven) here on Ciao, and also that it’s classed as a ‘horror’. Sure, the film features some pretty horrific stuff, but personally I’d have called it more of a crime thriller, albeit an 18-rated one with disturbing themes…
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Advantages: Great film, with good acting and nice criminal masterplan Disadvantages: Possibly scary/gruesome
...person to review the film Se7en (Seven) here on Ciao, and also that it’s classed as a ‘horror’. Sure, the film features some pretty horrific stuff, but personally I’d have called it more of a crime thriller, albeit an 18-rated one with disturbing themes…
The film came out in 1995 and was directed by David Fincher. It’s rated #55 in IMDB’s top 250 films (at time of writing – 8.3/10 viewer rating) and features a number of star names: .../>
Brad Pitt – Detective David Mills
Kevin Spacey – John Doe
Gwyneth Paltrow – Tracy Mills
The plot essentially concerns a series of homicides carried out according to the ‘seven deadly sins’ (bet those who’ve written about them in the Ciao café are scared now!) The case is taken by Detectives Somerset and Mills – the former an old hand, due to be retiring in a week, the latter the cocky young rookie who thinks he knows ... more
I’m surprised I seem to be the first person to review the film Se7en (Seven) here on Ciao, and also that it’s classed as a ‘horror’. Sure, the film features some pretty horrific stuff, but personally I’d have called it more of a crime thriller, albeit an 18-rated one with disturbing themes…
The film came out in 1995 and was directed by David Fincher. It’s rated #55 in IMDB’s top 250 films (at time of writing – 8.3/10 viewer rating) and features a number of star names:
Morgan Freeman – Detective Lt William Somerset Brad Pitt – Detective David Mills Kevin Spacey – John Doe Gwyneth Paltrow – Tracy Mills
The plot essentially concerns a series of homicides carried out according to the ‘seven deadly sins’ (bet those who’ve written about them in the Ciao café are scared now!) The case is taken by Detectives Somerset and Mills – the former an old hand, due to be retiring in a week, the latter the cocky young rookie who thinks he knows everything. Naturally you have all the clichés you’d expect – Somerset trying to give (slightly cynical) advice based on his experience, and Mills thinking he knows best.
The characterisation of these two I felt was very good, despite the clichés. There are lots of little touches that show the differences between them – for example, where we see the two of them getting dressed, and Somerset does his tie properly, while Mills makes the loop then puts it over his head. Somerset realises what’s going on, and starts researching the sins (from Chaucer, Dante, Aquinas, etc) – and when he tries to tip Mills off, we see Mills is actually relying on Cliff Notes to understand the books!
I did think that Somerset seemed a little cold in his approach though – as fascinating as his exploration of the killer’s modus operandi and motives was, I think it could’ve been saved for after the killer had been caught. In real life, I’d have expected him to concentrate on catching the killer – otherwise you almost had the feeling he’d let the sequence reach its conclusion just to see how it was completed…
I don’t want to give away the plot (so I’ll try not to), but the way the killer works is methodical – he picks victims guilty of sin, and punishes them for their crimes (e.g. a fat man is made to eat until he bursts – gluttony). The plan (and the way he leads the cops on) is, of course, completely sick, evil and twisted; yet at the same time one can’t helping admiring the criminal mastermind for the way he carries it out – particularly the last two sins (and pride too). I did feel that it wasn’t quite perfect though – sometimes the wrong people seem to die (both at the end, and maybe lust). (See: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0114369/board/nest/1576587 - but beware, spoilers if you haven’t already seen the film)
(And for those who don’t know their Bible too well, the sins are: Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy, Wrath, Pride and Lust)
The performances in the film I thought were generally very believable, with my only real doubt being Pitt at the end – but then that was very difficult to portray. I’m not entirely sure about the believability of the script on the other hand – I’ve already expressed some doubt about Somerset’s approach, and I’m not sure the film stays faithful to police procedure. Then again, I don’t mind suspending disbelief – it’s not a film constrained by realism, but portrays how things should be, in the name of entertainment.
The plot’s a basic premise is easy, but there is a twist at the end in the way the seven murders are completed. I don’t think it’s too taxing to follow, but it probably will require you attention. It’s something you can watch again and again too – I’m not a big one for seeing most films many times over, but I’ve certainly enjoyed this several times (all the more since I couldn’t quite remember how the ending resolved itself). I think if you liked something like Fight Club, then you’ll also enjoy this film. Personally I found it a very good film.
Not being religious myself, I don’t really know if anyone would be offended by the religious themes (I’d say only if easily offended). The film does contain violence, some strong language and gruesome murder scenes (particularly sloth) though, so deserves its 18 rating – not one for family viewing (although as I said earlier, I wouldn’t really call it horror).
(Oh, they get extra credit for playing Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Closer’ during the opening credits, even if it isn’t on the soundtrack CD!) Duration: 127 minutes http://us.imdb.com/Title?0114369
Advantages: A successfully shocking piece of work. Very cleverly backed up with a lot of literary references Disadvantages: Not for the faint at heart
I've been meaning to watch this for years, but finally got around to watching it yesterday. The premise is that Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is due to retire. Before he does so, he is to train up his successor, Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) in seven days to take over his job. Both characters are clearly defined. Somerset is a lone creature who has just had enough of dealing with homicide and Mills is a young cop transferred from the middle of ... ...fact that his wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow) hates the move they have made. On their first day together, Mills and Somerset are called to the scene of a suspicious death. There is a huge man who has died with his face in a plate of spaghetti. That doesn't sound too bad when written, but seeing it is enough to make you feel sick. When I say huge, I mean grotesquely large. His veins are all standing out - which leads Somerset to wonder if he was poisoned. ...
abrokenstarr 08.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Se7en
Advantages: Great cast, amazing attention to detail, some shocking scenes with in-depth psychological exploration Disadvantages: Maybe a little dark for some
...lasting impression. On the surface Se7en may just seem to many like your usual serial killer movie with all your usual components such as the veteran cop partnered with the young enthusiastic new comer with the intelligent killer always a step ahead till the end; however, Se7en goes much deeper than this. With numerous ‘cover up your eyes with waterever you can find’ moments, Se7en is an interesting, absorbing journey that gives an audience a horrifying ... ...over evil and another thing Se7en does well is address themes of brutality within humanity and still holds a unrivalled level of sophistication.
-- Character Performances --
Brad Pitt is excellent as the young, hard-edged cop. At the start of the film he is arrogant and thinks he knows exactly how it will pan out, until he starts to realise he is not as mentally prepared for such a mission as he thought he might be. Pitt handles this decline extremely ...
gunda96 27.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Se7en
Advantages: Gruesome, horrible, sick - I like it! Disadvantages: Squeamish? Don't watch (but do!)
I’ve watched Se7en before, many times, but I enjoy it every time I see it, if not more each time. The acting in this film, contrary to some other films they’ve been in (Morgan and Pitt), was very convincing and Spacey as John Doe was typically brilliant.
INTRODUCTION
The film begins with Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) preparing for his retirement and Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) trying to make a name for himself. Somerset finds ... ...believes amateurish investigators deserve. Somerset, you see, is a perfectionist and prides himself on being a super sleuth whereas Mills’ attitude is a little more laid back shall we say. Soon though, they find that they must put their differences aside if they are to stop psycho serial killer John Doe (Kevin Spacey) torturing his unwitting victims.
THE PLOT
The fundamental point of the film (which is often ironically missed) is that society overlooks ...
hodge_tim 11.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Se7en
Advantages: Storyline, acting, everything!! Disadvantages: Not for the squeemish!
I saw this film a few years ago and it instantly became one of my favourites. Anyone who has yet to see it should be ashamed. But wil be forgiven if they go get it straight after reading this review.
The film is centred around a murderer, John Doe, who is killing people based on the seven deadly sins. The sins being -
Gluttony, Envy, Pride, Greed, Wrath, Lust and Sloth. Each murder more gruesome than the last, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are two ... ...Gweneth Paltrow plays the wife of Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey stars as the murderer. Dont worry - i havent given anything away by telling you that.
The acting in the film is really good and unlike many murder films has an original script. By the end you are totally engrossed with the characters due to the way the film draws you in. The soundtrack adds suspense with cleverly placed music to help create the tention that is needed for these type of ...
bec55 27.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Se7en
Advantages: Horror, suspense everything you want for an edge of your seat thriller. Disadvantages: None
...psychopathic killer John Doe.
Se7en is directed by David Fincher who also did Fight Club with Brad Pitt, and so if you like that you will love this!
The DVD is a 2 disk DVD and contains heaps of bonus material including deleted scenes, extended takes and an alternate ending (worth watching!) as well as promotional material. ...
peewee2081 01.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Se7en
Advantages: Good performances, a dark, engaging detective story Disadvantages: Too slow for some, Peter Stormare is in the wrong film
Director: Joel Schumacher
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, Catherine Keener, Amy Morton, Peter Stormare, James Gandolfini
Story: Surveillance specialist Tom Welles (Cage) is asked by a widower to investigate a
film containing what appears to be the brutal murder of a young woman named
Mary Ann Matthews. As Tom plunges deeper into the investigation and sleazy underworld of pornography, he begins to lose his grip on his own mental state.
Certificate: 18
Running time: 123 minutes approx.
Seeing as the screenplay was penned by Se7en scribe Andrew Kevin Walker, comparisons between 8MM and his previous work have already been made. However while sharing the same look and feel, 8MM has it's own agenda, that being the origins of snuff films and the myths about their existence. The subject of snuff has been covered in ...
Crib79 08.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 8MM (DVD)
Advantages: Great directing, camerawork, mood, characters...just about everything really Disadvantages: Not for those who like happy endings or have an optimistic disposition
Clint Eastwood's In the Line of Fire.
This isn't a glamour film that will make you glow & smile when you leave the theatre. This film wants to crush you with the sordid reality of what is actually happening to us all out there - a film that tells it as it is, and not as Hollywood wants us to view the world from their glittering perspective.
Se7en is a film where other detective films should be judged. It's unforgiving & relentless but a visual masterpiece for all that...and as for the ending....well.....tails you win, heads you lose!!! ...
dreamstar70 04.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Seven (DVD)
Advantages: amazing story with no dissapointment Disadvantages: very few... 1 or 2 slow scenes...
Gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, lust, Pride and WRATH! the capital vices of this day and age. se7en (seven) is an amazing story which follows 2 cops in an old city as they attempt to track a killer who makes his point by following the seven deadly sins.
do you really think you could figure this out? seven is an excelent film which has the viewers sitting on the edge of their seats for most of the film. by far one of the best detective films out there.
Morgan freeman and brad pitt star in the intense thriller/horror/crime giving an amazing proformance with a really great depth their roles.
watch as the plot unfolds to the greatest twist...
a must see movie for all the crime and horror fans. ...
god4269 07.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Seven (DVD)
Horror - Director: Takashi Shimizu - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Yui Ichikawa, Misa Uehara, Misaki Ito, Megumi Okina
