lost-in-limbo Review of Return of the Seven

Return of the Seven (1966)

"We got to stand along side of 'em so that someday they can stand alone".

[4/10 · 19 December 2010]

The original film was a childhood favourite, but it's easy-going follow-up "The Return" is nothing more than a disappointing excuse to cash on the original's success. It wasn't a rushed production; as it came out quite a few years later but this time around the story and performances were nothing short than thin and lacklustre. Director Burt Kennedy does his best with some professionally well mounted set-pieces and striking visual details (with the beautifully spacious cinematography making a mark), but cult filmmaker Larry Cohen's screenplay is a generically unengaged rehash (where again sacrifice and hardship comes to the forefront) but it simply lacks the charm and killer punch. At times too talky and sluggishly paced without really making the characters emotionally attachable, that when it comes down to the nitty, gritty it feels mechanically laboured and short-lived. There was more effort in throwing around coin bags, than in its action. Yul Brynner returns, decked in black bringing back that tight-lipped, hardened illustration, but it's just wasn't enough to carry it along. The hired help is mostly an unmemorable one-note bunch (Claude Atkins, Elisa Montés) other than Warren Oates' verbose, womanising character. Robert Fuller scarcely takes over the character that Steve McQueen portrayed. As for the villains, they are even less interesting and imposing. Also Fernando Rey shows up as a priest. Composer Elmer Bernstein contributes once more with his excellently rousing music score. Technically its soundly made, but direly uninspired writing and performances sink it.