JUSTICE HAS A NUMBER.

When a small town is harassed by a robber baron (Peter Sarsgaard), the local townsfolk hire a band of men to defend them.

A remake of the 1960 classic that looks just like we expect from Antoine Fuqua. Gone is the charm, light touch and (almost literally) color from the original in favor of more cruelty. It’s a testament to his skill and the cast that they make it work nonetheless.

Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Chris Pratt and Sarsgaard are more than serviceable in their roles, adding spark to a story that ends with an operatic assault on the town that might’ve pleased Sam Peckinpah.

2016-U.S. 132 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Screenplay: Nic Pizzolatto, Richard Wenk. Music: James Horner, Simon Franglen. Cast: Denzel Washington (Sam Chisholm), Chris Pratt (Joshua Faraday), Ethan Hawke (Goodnight Robicheaux), Peter Sarsgaard, Haley Bennett, Vincent D’Onofrio, Matt Bomer. 

Trivia: Jason Momoa was considered for a role; at an earlier stage, Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner and Matt Damon were considered for roles, and John Lee Hancock as director. Horner’s last film; Franglen completed the score after his death.