A Little TLC(w): Seven Warriors (1989)

Okay, so I still haven’t seen the original version of this story (Seven Samurai) or the most famous reimagining of it (the classic Magnificent Seven,) but I have seen a remake of that reimagining, and now, with Seven Warriors, a different reimagining of the tale.  Maybe it helps that I don’t have the classics to compare it with, but I enjoyed this version, transplanting the story to the early 20^th century.

In China’s Warlord Era of the 1920s, groups of down-on-their-luck soldiers have turned to banditry in desperation.  One village pools its money to hire warriors to protect them from the bandits, and a representative is sent to the city with the money to find the fighters they need.

Personally, I think this is pretty well-done.  Ensemble pieces about war time can be tricky, because it’s sometimes hard to tell a bunch of uniformed men apart.  But here, even though six of the seven warriors are also soldiers who’ve fallen on hard times and often wear their uniforms, it didn’t take me long to be able to differentiate between them.  There’s enough visual distinction in wardrobe/appearance with each warrior, and they all have very individual personalities.  I also like the level of history between them.  Most of these guys were in the same unit together, and the actors sell that closeness in the easy familiarity they foster and in the deep devotion the characters have to each other.

Tony Leung Chiu-wai plays Wong Way-wu, the seventh warrior.  The only one who isn’t a soldier, Way-wu is instead a peasant who fancies himself both an intellectual and a fighter but isn’t quite either.  What he lacks in skill and knowledge, he makes up in heaps of enthusiasm and self-confidence.  This can put him at odds with the actual soldiers, some of whom see him as a liability.  Way-wu is desperate for their approval, and in his eagerness to earn their respect, he can sometimes get ahead of himself.

He’s a good character to include; he brings a different dynamic to the group, and since his energetic self-assurance often outmatches his abilities, he adds a lot of humor to the proceedings.  In fact, there are times when the humor jars a little with the tone of the film – it’s pretty broad, with at least one of Way-wu’s fights bordering on slapstick – but he’s not the movie’s only source of broad comedy.  And although he’s often fumbling, Way-wu is wholehearted in everything he does and just as dedicated to the cause as anyone else there.

The only other actor I recognize from this film is Jacky Cheung (As Tears Go By, Bullet in the Head,) but there are a lot of good actors here.  I particularly enjoy Adam Cheng, Ben Lam, and Fui-on Shing.

Recommend?

In General – I would.  It’s a pretty good film, and it’s interesting to check out a different take on the Seven Samurai / Magnificent Seven story.

Tony Leung Chiu-wai – I think so.  Way-wu isn’t the most complex character out there, but he’s fun, and I enjoy it when Leung plays characters who think they have a lot more game than they really do.

Warnings

War violence (including attempted rape,) sexual references, drinking/smoking, a little gross-out humor, and thematic elements.