What's In The Box? Am I Right People?

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2014)

"Se7en" is an exceptional thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker, and directed by the always more than impressive David Fincher. The lack of creative freedom he had with "Alien3" (1992) turned him off the idea of creating anymore, but the script they sent him managed to garner his enthusiasm. Unfortunately they also sent him the script with the original ending they wasn't going to use, leading to Fincher and Brad Pitt fighting for the script. It's a fascinating story I bring up because the film has rumours of many alternate endings, I implore you to do a little research on what might have been.
I suppose I should also say if you're a fan of "CSI" (2000-present), then you must have seen "Se7en". The newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt) and the retiring William Somerset (Freeman), are homicide detectives who become deeply involved in the case of a sadistic serial killer, whose meticulously planned murders correspond to the seven deadly sins. From the uniquely disturbing title sequence, to the overall shocking scenarios and finale. After watching this movie so many times now, I'm stunned at how engaging and refreshed I am to watch it all again and still find little things in the corners of each frame and shot composition. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt's chemistry and banter together is still as engaging, and how they haven't appeared in a film together since is beyond me. It was also the time rising star Kevin Spacey was on the scene, and even with the little screen time he has his presence is so memorable it's crazy.
Other than that, the brutal crime scenes still have the power to shock and make people feel faint. To me David Fincher's work has this kind of style that began with "Se7en", and over the years he's made it distinctly his own. Nowhere is this more prominent than in the long bleak shots of the city in both night and heavy downpour, and for some reason part of me hearkens back to the urban street life painted in "Taxi Driver" (1976). The performances are solid, the set pieces are vivid and the script work and pacing is impeccable. If you haven't already seen it, stop what you're doing and definitely make it you're next viewing experience because it really is one of the 1990's absolute best.
Final Verdict: Often mimicked, yet never trumped. In a current wave of never ending shoddy horror movies, "Se7en" is one of those rare cinematic experiences that will keep you enthralled all the way towards the credits. 10/10.