User:Darkwarriorblake/Seven (1995 film)

Retrospective assessments edit

In the years since its release, Seven's initial critical acclaim has endured.[1][2][3] Richard Dyer featured Seven in the British Film Institute's (BFI) Film Classics series in 1999.[3][4]

In the 2010s both the BFI and Indiewire identified it as a landmark in the serial killer film genre.[2][5] In 2011, as part of his The Great Movies series, Ebert upgraded his original score for the film from three-and-a-half stars stars to a full four stars, lauding it as one of the darkest and most ruthless Hollywood productions, anchored by the stellar performances of Freeman and Spacey. Ebert concluded that while Seven may not delve into profundity or depth, its rich mythology and symbolism elevate its impact.[6][7][1] Discussing Seven in 2013, critics David Edelstein and Bilge Ebiri acknowledged the film's shortcomings in dialogue and plot predictability, yet praised its compelling portrayal of the city's grim atmosphere and Doe's macabre murders. Edelstein particularly highlighted the shootout scene between the detectives and Doe as one of the most chilling he had witnessed, attributing its impact to the vivid visual imagery and innovative camera angles.[8] A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals by The Hollywood Reporter ranked Seven the eighty-fifth-best film of all time.[9] In 2015, writer Scott Beggs said Seven remained and would continue to be a powerful viewing experience that is further elevated by its unforgettable conclusion. According to Beggs, Seven's enduring appeal was because it is not solely reliant on its twist or revealing the killer's identity, but the detailed world in which it takes place.[10] That same year, Walker expressed his enduring pride in Seven, despite facing criticism from certain audiences.[11]

Reviewing Seven on its 25th anniversary in 2020, The Film Magazine wrote that it remained relevant and significant as a viewing experience, in part because of the core cast, horror elements, and its tasking of audiences to introspect on their sins.[12] Another anniversary retrospective by The Independent said that Seven remains celebrated for its twist ending, which is among the most well-known twists in cinema, and remained both influential on filmmaking and popular with audiences due to its storytelling, cast, and innovative use of psychological manipulation.[13][14] Writer Drew Dietsch described Seven as a landmark for film horror, citing its noir, decaying cityscape and philosophical contemplation on evil and justice. Dietsch wrote that Seven was as important to the genre and cinema of the 1990s as The Silence of the Lambs. He tempered his opinion, however, by noting that the sexual misconduct allegations made against Spacey in the intervening years had tainted the viewing experience and made some people hesitant to revisit Seven.[15]

In the early 2020s, MovieWeb and Stuff called Seven one of the most memorable and "quintessential" crime thrillers of the 1990s, representing a high point of the genre and filmmaking for the decade.[14][16] Assessments by NME and Collider wrote that Seven had an enduring appeal distinct from its contemporaries. This distinction is attributed to its bleak and seldom matched ending, as well as its stylized reality devoid of popular culture references or technological emphasis, ensuring it does not reflect any particular time or place.[17][18][19][10] Retrospectives in years since have continued to discuss Seven as iconic and one of the bleakest and best detective films in modern history, acclaimed for its harrowing visuals, deft blend of thriller and horror genres, and its ending.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]

Filmmakers and critics have spoken of their appreciation for Seven including: Mark Burg,[27] Babak Anvari,[28] Rüdiger Suchsland [de],[29] Richard Kelly,[30], Jorge Ignacio Castillo,[31] Jacob Stolworthy,[32] Lars Ole Kristiansen,[33] and film curation organization, the T A P E Collective.[34]

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes offers a RT data approval rating from the aggregated reviews of RT data critics, with an average score of RT data. The website's critical consensus says: "A brutal, relentlessly grimy shocker with taut performances, slick gore effects, and a haunting finale".[35] The film has a score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 22 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[36] In audience-voted polls, Seven has been listed at number 15, 30, and 37 on lists of the greatest films conducted by the publications Total Film and Empire.[37][38][39] Empire's 2008 poll of readers, Hollywood actors, and key film critics ranked Seven at number 134 on its list of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time,[40] while Time Out's 2023 staff poll ranked it number 87.[41] Seven is also included in the film reference book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die based on contributions from more than 70 critics.[42]

Re-write edit

In the years since its release, Seven's initial critical acclaim has endured.[1][2][3] Assessments from publications such as NME and Collider wrote that Seven retained a distinct appeal compared to its contemporaries. This distinction is attributed to its bleak and seldom matched ending, as well as its stylized reality devoid of popular culture references or technological emphasis, ensuring it remains untethered to any particular time or place.[17][18][19] Writer Scott Beggs said Seven would continue to be a powerful viewing experience that is further elevated by its unforgettable conclusion. According to Beggs, Seven's enduring appeal was because it is not solely reliant on its twist or revealing the killer's identity, but the detailed world in which it takes place.[10] In a 2011 retrospective by Roger Ebert, as part of his The Great Movies series, he upgraded his original score for Seven from three-and-a-half stars stars to a full four stars. He lauded it as one of the darkest and most ruthless Hollywood productions, anchored by the stellar performances of Freeman and Spacey. Ebert concluded that while Seven may not delve into profundity or depth, its rich mythology and symbolism elevate its impact.[6][7][1]



That same year, Walker expressed his enduring pride in Seven, despite facing criticism from certain audiences.[11]



Richard Dyer featured Seven in the British Film Institute's (BFI) Film Classics series in 1999.[3][4]

In the 2010s both the BFI and Indiewire identified it as a landmark in the serial killer film genre.[2][5] Discussing Seven in 2013, critics David Edelstein and Bilge Ebiri acknowledged the film's shortcomings in dialogue and plot predictability, yet praised its compelling portrayal of the city's grim atmosphere and Doe's macabre murders. Edelstein particularly highlighted the shootout scene between the detectives and Doe as one of the most chilling he had witnessed, attributing its impact to the vivid visual imagery and innovative camera angles.[8] A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals by The Hollywood Reporter ranked Seven the eighty-fifth-best film of all time.[9]

Reviewing Seven on its 25th anniversary in 2020, The Film Magazine wrote that it remained relevant and significant as a viewing experience, in part because of the core cast, horror elements, and its tasking of audiences to introspect on their sins.[12] Another anniversary retrospective by The Independent said that Seven remains celebrated for its twist ending, which is among the most well-known twists in cinema, and remained both influential on filmmaking and popular with audiences due to its storytelling, cast, and innovative use of psychological manipulation.[13][14] Writer Drew Dietsch described Seven as a landmark for film horror, citing its noir, decaying cityscape and philosophical contemplation on evil and justice. Dietsch wrote that Seven was as important to the genre and cinema of the 1990s as The Silence of the Lambs. He tempered his opinion, however, by noting that the sexual misconduct allegations made against Spacey in the intervening years had tainted the viewing experience and made some people hesitant to revisit Seven.[15]

In the early 2020s, MovieWeb and Stuff called Seven one of the most memorable and "quintessential" crime thrillers of the 1990s, representing a high point of the genre and filmmaking for the decade.[14][16] Retrospectives in years since have continued to discuss Seven as iconic and one of the bleakest and best detective films in modern history, acclaimed for its harrowing visuals, deft blend of thriller and horror genres, and its ending.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]

Filmmakers and critics have spoken of their appreciation for Seven including: Mark Burg,[27] Babak Anvari,[28] Rüdiger Suchsland [de],[29] Richard Kelly,[30], Jorge Ignacio Castillo,[31] Jacob Stolworthy,[32] Lars Ole Kristiansen,[33] and film curation organization, the T A P E Collective.[34]

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes offers a RT data approval rating from the aggregated reviews of RT data critics, with an average score of RT data. The website's critical consensus says: "A brutal, relentlessly grimy shocker with taut performances, slick gore effects, and a haunting finale".[35] The film has a score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 22 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[36] In audience-voted polls, Seven has been listed at number 15, 30, and 37 on lists of the greatest films conducted by the publications Total Film and Empire.[37][38][39] Empire's 2008 poll of readers, Hollywood actors, and key film critics ranked Seven at number 134 on its list of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time,[40] while Time Out's 2023 staff poll ranked it number 87.[41] Seven is also included in the film reference book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die based on contributions from more than 70 critics.[42]

https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/fight-club-20th-anniversary-appreciation-david-fincher-896690/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/classic-movies/8451540/Why-I-Love...-David-Fincher.html https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/g45723241/david-fincher-movies-ranked/ https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/david-fincher-movies-ranked-including-the-killer/ https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/22/seven-platinum-edition https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/5/22/15660296/alien-3-david-fincher-defense https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/david-fincher-fight-club-opening-credits/ https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/revisiting-david-finchers-seven/ https://deadline.com/2022/12/david-fincher-set-for-honorary-cesar-award-global-briefs-1235200876/ https://cinephiliabeyond.org/se7en-rain-drenched-somber-gut-wrenching-thriller-restored-david-finchers-faith-filmmaking/ https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3766266/se7en-4k-remaster-david-fincher-confirms-its-in-the-works/ http://outtakemag.co.uk/features/2020/09/23/seven-david-fincher-brad-pitt/ https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/28/david-fincher-favorite-best-movies-killer-netflix https://www.theringer.com/2020/9/25/21455771/david-fincher-tv-streaming-house-of-cards-legacy https://parade.com/1048720/maramovies/best-directors/

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Dhruv Bose, Swapnil (September 15, 2020). "The Legacy Of Moral Panic: Revisiting David Fincher's Neo-noir Film Se7en". Far Out. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d O'Callaghan, Paul (November 25, 2016). "Five Films That Paved The Way For David Fincher's Se7en". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Nayman, Adam (November 15, 2021). "What's in the Box?: The Terrifying Truth of Se7en". The Ringer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Dyer 1999.
  5. ^ a b "The Films Of David Fincher: A Retrospective". IndieWire. October 1, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-seven-1995. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ a b https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/seven-1995. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ a b https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/25-best-horror-movies-since-the-shining.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films". The Hollywood Reporter. June 25, 2014. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c https://filmschoolrejects.com/worth-fighting-for-why-se7en-still-works-20-years-later-bf5572a5c7a7/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ a b Burns, Ashley; Schildhause, Chloe. "Seven Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker Looks Back At What's Inside The Box, 20 Years Later". Uproxx. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  12. ^ a b https://www.thefilmagazine.com/se7en-25thanniversary-movie-review-davidfincher/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ a b https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/movies-twists-best-foreshadowing-clues-b2297967.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ a b c d Friedman, Max (January 19, 2023). "Se7en: A Look Back at the Quintessential '90s Crime Thriller". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  15. ^ a b https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3618545/se7en-remains-shocking-supremely-sophisticated-high-watermark-horror-love-90s-horror/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ a b Croot, James (November 16, 2021). "Se7en: Still Disturbing, David Fincher's Searing, Shocking Thriller Hits Netflix". Stuff. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Bradshaw, Paul (September 23, 2020). "Blood, Bodies And The Box: How Seven Changed Film And TV Forever". NME. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Lambie, Ryan (September 22, 2019). "Seven: The Brilliance Of David Fincher's Chase Scene". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Goldberg, Matt (September 22, 2020). "Se7en Revisited: The Films Of David Fincher". Collider. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  20. ^ a b https://collider.com/seven-movie-denzel-washington/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ a b https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/seven-brad-pitt-morgan-freeman-david-fincher-2760106. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ a b https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/david-fincher-hollywood-strikes-1235581040/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ a b "But Seriously, What's in the Box?". The Ringer. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  24. ^ a b https://www.thewrap.com/david-fincher-cesar-awards-lifetime-achievement/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ a b https://movieweb.com/david-fincher-will-not-watched-fight-club-for-20-years/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ a b https://collider.com/denzel-washington-seven-michael-clayton/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ a b https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-05-13/spiral-book-of-saw-chris-rock. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/babak-anvari. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/rudiger-suchsland. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/richard-kelly. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/jorge-ignacio-castillo. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/jacob-stolworthy. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ a b [*https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/lars-ole-kristiansen *https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/lars-ole-kristiansen]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ^ a b https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/t-a-p-e-collective. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ^ a b "Seven (Se7en) (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Seven". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Total Film Presents The Top 100 Movies Of All Time". Total Film. October 17, 2006. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  38. ^ a b "The 100 Greatest Movies". Empire. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  39. ^ a b "The 100 Best Movies Of All Time". Empire. January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Empire Magazine's 500 Greatest Movies Ever Made". Empire. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  41. ^ a b De Semlyen, Phil; Rothkopf, Joshua (September 20, 2022). "The 100 Best Movies Of All Time". Time Out. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  42. ^ a b Schneider 2013.