'Magnificent Seven' isn't a game-changer, but it delivers the goods

Critics will likely say -- and perhaps already are -- that the new Magnificent Seven doesn't need to exist. It adds next to nothing new to the classic original (itself a re-imagining of The Seven Samurai) other than welcome multicultural casting, a lot more deadly shootings/stabbings and a more throbbing soundtrack.

They may have a point. Director Antoine Fuqua has never been known for his subtlety and he hits virtually every western cliche right on the head. And despite being stylishly made and well-acted, it's not really "about" anything.

And yet -- I really enjoyed it. Denzel Washington is at his badass best, showing more flashes of humor and warmth than he has in some of his disappointing recent work (like The Equalizer, also directed by Fuqua). Chris Pratt does a great star turn opposite him. And the rest of the cast is charming too, although some characters get more developed backstories than others.

It is a throwback western, very traditionalist and a little less fun than the original -- SPOILER ALERT -- they only break out the classic, rousing theme score in the closing credits. But that's only because the movie doesn't depart in any significant way from its source material.

It very violent -- in a way, westerns can get away with massive carnage like this, not so much because its cartoonish but because it's far enough removed from our reality that we can watch it with a bit of detachment. And it also maintains the original's semi-realistic streak -- SPOILER ALERT -- for instance, not every hero survives until the end.

Probably the most striking thing about the film though is the image of a town of mostly white people rescued by a multiracial crew of heroes led by the one-and-only Denzel. This is a major movie star role for a man that has earned every inch of his close-ups. Playing the hero fits him like a glove.

He is a little more portly now, and his once intimidating good looks have weathered. But, in his early 60s now, he is still a remarkable presence, and he always elevates the material and keeps it interesting.

There are missteps. Does the female lead have to wear cleavage baring tops throughout almost the entire film? A subplot involving Ethan Hawke is never fully justified or resolved sufficiently -- although it's nice to see him in one-on-one scenes with Denzel again, bringing back memories of their first pairing in 2001's Training Day (also directed by Fuqua). I liked Peter Sarsgaard's performance as a particularly sniveling villain -- but I do think the movie would have been better served by a more truly intimidating bad guy.

But this is rousing, audience pleasing entertainment featuring likable actors doing what they do best. Although this film is not a masterpiece, I am not sure that it could have been