Seven | | Cast : | Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey | | Director : | David Fincher | | Studio : | New Line Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Box set, Dolby | | Released Date : | September 22, 1995 | | DVD Released Date : | December 19, 2000 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | A Lesson of the Arts | Content
 | There are just too many things needed to be said about Se7en. It's one of my favorite movies of all time and will most likely remain there for a long, long time. All the actors do marvelous jobs. All the camera angles and lighting are fantastic, and bring an element of Film Noir (if you don't know what that film term is, then I suggest you look it up) to a film from 1995. The originality and creativity displayed here is really what takes a hold of me personally. For those who do not know what this movie is about I will sum it up with this: Se7en is about two Police Officers (Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt) who probe the murders of a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who chooses his victims based on the seven deadly sins. There isn't a single flaw in this movie that I have noticed and believe me; I've watched this plenty of times. There are no plot holes, no annoying things, no bad acting, and no rip-offs, nothing that brings this movie down.
People complain about the ending in that it is a bit of a downer. I thought that too the first time I watched it, but afterwards I found myself drawn to the play button on my remote again and again. Several people complain that this movie is too gruesome or of bad taste. These people are ignorant and are clearly in denial of the darks spots of society that exist every day. When you see this movie you realize that things like this happen, maybe not as intense as this, but they happen. Bad things happen to good people. We have Richard "The Night Stalker" Ramirez, Rape, Aids, Arson, Police Brutality, Cults, the Jonestown Massacre, etc. Listen, if you thought that this movie was too gory, then you seriously need to toughen up your stomach and sense of reality. If anything this movie is not gory enough (it leaves a lot of it to your imagination, and you never actually see anybody killed).
There are gorehounds who complain that this movie wasn't gory enough. If you want to complain about "sick people" then why don't you go and attack the film makers that bring us the great horror classics like "the Evil Dead" or "the Halloween movies or why not go so far as to attack "Dead Alive" (The Goriest Movie ever made, oddley enough it's a dark comedy directed by Peter Jackson). Labeling Se7en as a sick movie only supports the idea that it is sick because you don't like it and choose to look away. It is that very idea that the killer John Doe tried to point out that "we see a deadly sin on every street corner and we tolerate it, because it is common." I'm not sure if I have that quote exactly but it's the same overall message. I could go further but I feel I have made my point.
This movie is disgustingly beautiful. It's crude, but effective and there are just so many things about it that scream perfection. Everything including the incredible opening credits scene with the disturbing Nine Inch Nails music (the song is called Closer (Precursor Remix)) is done to such a degree of perfection, that it is impossible to ignore. The DVD box artwork is really cool to look at and on the second disc with the bonus features, we are shown that this one guy actually wrote out every single one of John Doe's journals and handmade it himself. That is something you will not find happening behind the sets of most movies, rarely is that mush effort put into one. And of course let's not forget the acting. It's fabulous; Morgan Freeman only enforces his brilliance and his title as my favorite actor. A movie like this only comes along once in a while, so therefore you must see this movie and if you like it, then go ahead and buy it. It's understandable that this film is not for everyone, but hopefully it will open your eyes or pry them open. Open way or another it may change you in some way, even if it's the smallest degree. Well, hoped you found this review helpful and that you will enjoy this movie if you haven't already.
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| Rating | | | Date | July 29, 2005 | | Summary | Unlucky Seven | Content
| SEVEN is probably the film that artistically brought "non-traditional" film making into the realm of successfully commercial. To young avant garde filmmakers, it is a beacon of genius. For cinema purists, its MTV meets COPS. Well as long as the two never marry, life will go on. The storyline involves 2 detectives, one young (BRAD PITT) and one on the brink of retirement (MORGAN FREEMAN). At its barest storyline, SEVEN is only as clever as the average mystery thriller. But, it is its visual and visceral approach that puts it in another, more admired realm. Filmed in what looks like only natural lighting, the film is often dark, grainy and relying heavily on shadow. Occasional gory visuals intentionally shatter the level of good taste. The film ends on a down note, which is becoming more and more common now, but at the time of release, was not always the case. The loaded DVD is excellent and well prepared. But, the film is not for everyone... 7 minutes in hell. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 18, 2005 | | Summary | "Perfect" doesn't even begin to describe it... | Content
| This movie is not for everyone. But for those willing to take the leap, it affects you in ways you cannot imagine. The portrayal of characters in this movie, and the events that occur are so real that it's scary. Right from the opening credits, you know there's something special about this movie. First, I'll give a short description of the amazing storyline that is Se7en.
The movie is set in New York City. Detective Somerset, a man who has been in service for a long time, feels that he has seen too much violence and hatred in the world. He is about to retire. His last case however, intrigues him. He believes that it is a start of a serial murder. Detective Mills, who was just assigned to the department, is a young and eager detective. He helps Somerset with the investigation. The first murder was in fact, the start of a serial murder. The murderer is committing the murders based on the 7 deadly sins; namely gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride and lust. It is then a cat and mouse game between the detectives and the murderer, known simply as John Doe. The movie spirals to dizzying heights and ends with a stunning albeit demented plot twist.
This movie is special in so many ways, its context transcends time. It actually speaks to you. The difference between the 2 detectives alone, speak volumes. It's not just a pairing of young and old, white and black. They are very different men, having experienced different things in life. One is an optimist, and the other a pessimist. The interesting thing that separates them is their opinions and views on life, and on everyday crimes. The place, New York City is shown as a dark and decaying city. It rains everyday, the future seems bleak. And the act of murders is supposedly sermons from the man behind it. It is not random, it is planned. He wants it to be studied and analyzed, for the meaning of his act to reach people. Many things said in this movie really made me think. I found the dialogue between characters fascinating and creepy at the same time. At one point, the murderer says "We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial. We tolerate it morning, noon, and night. Well, not anymore." In some aspects, he was right. We read the newspapers everyday. Reports of murder, robbery and abuse. Crimes that are committed by men, people die everyday not of natural causes but by us. Do we even think twice about it? We just move on to the next story. It is sad that humanity has come to this. And that is what I mean, the movie touches your soul, questions the harsh reality of life. You realize the world is not as wonderful as you've imagined.
Rarely does a movie like this come to be made without a group of talented people behind it, and watching the movie, every one of them should be complimented. It takes guts to make a movie like this, it is definitely not mainstream, nor will it make anyone leaving the theater feeling good about themselves. But we need this kind of movies once a while to remind us, that movies can be great, it can affect people and make a difference rather than just entertain us. The writer does a tremendous job with the script. It is so profound and disturbingly real. Directing from David Fincher, a man I have huge respect for, is also flawless. And the acting from every one of the characters couldn't be better. Morgan Freeman is dead-on as Detective Somerset, as is Brad Pitt as Detective Mills. They both deliver what I believe the best performances of their career. And the murderer...aahh, the murderer who is left uncredited practically adds the finishing touch to an already great movie. He is so convincing, every word he mutters sends a chill down your spine. And the scary thing is, I was actually nodding to certain things he was saying. "Wanting people to listen, you can't just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you'll notice you've got their strict attention." To me, everything in this movie came together so well, it is so much more than "just a thriller", and the 5-star rating I give it is definitely justified.
So, if you want to be surprised, if you want to break out from the usual trash Hollywood dumps on us, if you're willing to take a risk...watch this movie. Yes, it is surreal and it does contain graphic images. But my goodness, this movie is so much more; it reflects our life and questions your conscience. One of my all-time favorites. Highly recommended! |
| Rating | | | Date | July 13, 2005 | | Summary | One of the original best | Content
| Seven is in the top 5 of my favorite movies of all time. It started a movement in film that has spawned many other great movies and unfortunately a lot of rip offs. This is the original horror/thriller movie. The roles are so well casted that you don't see Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman but rather Dectives Somerset and Mills. The detailed plot with no holes is such a breath of fresh air. The mystery and complexity of this movie is almost indescribable. I can not say enough good things about this movie. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 01, 2005 | | Summary | A Chilling and Thought Provoking Crime Drama. A Cut Above the Rest | Content
| If you ask ten movie fans what their favorite David Fincer movie is, eight are probably going to say 'Fight Club.' I am one of the minority. Seven is not only my favorite Fincher movie, but it is one of my favorite movies ever. It is so much more than a crime drama. It is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Seven follows two detectives, the calm, wise, and soon to retire Somerset (Freeman) and the young, gifted hotshot Mills (Pitt). These two, opposite personalities arrive at the scene of a particularly grisly murder of a morbidly obese man. I will not disclose details, but the killings are reminiscent of the style shown in "Silence of the Lambs" and years later, "Saw". During a second inspection of the crime scene, prompted by plastic shavings found in the stomach of the dead man, "gluttony" is found carved into the wall behind the refrigerator. Soon after, a lawyer turns up dead in another bizzare murder, and "greed" is spelled out in his own blood on the carpet. The killer chooses victims who embody the Seven Deadly Sins. Somerset and Mills take the case. They pick up on the pattern and know that the killer will strike agian and follow his trail. It becomes evident early on that this is no ordinary killer, though. He has every move plotted well in advance, and his killings make a stark commentary on the flaws of society today. He uses each victim's sin as the central instrument in his elaborate, almost artistic executions. He offers an alternate and thought provoking viewpoint on justice. It makes the viewer think more than any standard fare thriller ever would. The ending is superb as well. Don't listen to any of the other reviews, it comes as a complete shock. I really want to go more in depth on the plot, but it would be doing this movie an injustice to give away too much. Just know that different than the rest of the crime movies you have ever seen, and so chilling and thought provoking. It is scary not because it is overly gory, nor is it scary due to cheesy special effects. Seven is frightening because the events in the world represented in the film could all too easily be real, and that is an entirely different type of fear.
The Final Word - An absolutely amazing movie that will floor you with it's originality and intelligence. Nihlistic and frightening, it is mainstream cinema at its absolute best. It suceeds in every way imaginable. A must have for any true movie fan.
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