No classic, but a rollicking ride

Washington’s Training Day co-star Ethan Hawke (Goodnight Robicheaux) embraces his character’s Civil War-infused back story and Vincent D’Onofrio (Jack Horne) provides moments of levity.

Byung-hun Lee (Billy Rocks), Manuel GarciaRulfo (Vasquez) and Martin Sensmeier (Red Harvest) ensure diversity among the Seven and are blessed with unique skill-sets showcased to great aplomb by Fuqua’s camera work.

Sarsgaard’s antagonist is a force of nature carrying out diabolical deeds but the Black Mass star avoids going too over-the-top.

Wenk and Pizzolatto’s script pays tribute not only to the original movie, but the western genre in general and at times the overabundance of clichés becomes as distracting as they are predictable.

Fuqua films using traditional sandy landscapes and autumnal colour palettes and while there’s no doubt we’ve travelled back to the Old West, you can’t help but wish the director had been a little bolder in delivering a fresher visual playground for the new guntoting gang.

Speaking of guns, there are shoot-outs aplenty and even though the bullets fly and bodies fall – particularly during the climactic showdown – the film’s 12A certificate means a lack of blood and truly searing danger.

Not quite magnificent, then, but a long way off the disaster many predicted.

As remakes go, Fuqua’s rollicking ride saddles up on the right side of the quality scales, led by a charismatic cast you’d love to share a drink in a saloon with.