The Magnificent Seven rides (figuratively) again.in a languid way

Rating: Null/10 (22 February 2014)

The main event truly starts about 20 minutes into the movie, after the establishing scenes that include a sequence not unlike the recruiting of the "Magnificent Seven". The time is July 1944 and the stage is Normandy, one month after D-day, Operation Overlord. Whether it's Sword, Juno, Omaha, Gold or Utah doesn't really matter, as you see our protagonists going ashore from a landing craft. While the venue reminds you of scenes you have seen from "The longest day", "Saving Private Ryan" or and half dozen other movies, the mood is entirely different. Although it is just one month after the gut-spilling (literally, graphically, if you still remember Mr. Spielberg's haunting rendition) struggle for a toe-hold on the beachhead, we now see our protagonist sauntering along the almost deserted beach as if they were on a Sunday outing in the park.
The mission of the artists and men of various other talents is to rescue a staggering number (from hindsight) of artwork that the Nazis, and Hitler in particular, tried to steal (or rob, whatever you call it) for their own collection. The process, however, is not what the trailers might have you believe. This is not "Dirty Dozen" by any stretch of imagination. As intimated in my summary line, our heroes go about their noble task, sometimes singly, sometimes collectively, sometimes in pair, in a manner that can almost be styled as "languid". All over Europe, they ask questions, they follow leads, and yes, they engage in some combats which are often casually narrated. It can almost pass for an archaeological team going on various digs.
Those who have more than they bargained for in the action department from Hollywood will like the often pensive mood of this movie. There are also lighter moments although in that score the script does not rise above the standard one-liners and customary stabs. The cast assembled impresses but could be put to even better use. Still, the likes of George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett rarely disappoint even if they are not at their most brilliant moments.