This Lord of the Rings knockoff is superior to any of Peter Jackson’s Tolkein adaptations in that it’s over in less than two hours; otherwise it’s a loud, joyless mess. In a mythical land, an aging witch hunter (Jeff Bridges) trains a new apprentice to help him battle a powerful demon (Julianne Moore) who wants to rule the world. Moore has never looked so uncomfortable onscreen, though no one else in the impressive cast—which features Olivia Williams, Djimon Hounsou, and Alicia Vikander (A Royal Affair)—fares much better. Director Sergey Bodrov never establishes a clear tone; the dramatic scenes carry little emotional charge, and the attempts at comic relief fall flat.
Seventh Son
PG-13 • 1 hour 42 min • 2015
