Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Se7en, is a film that scares the pants off its audience, and leaves a lasting impression. On the surface Se7en may just seem to many like your usual serial killer movie with all your usual components such as the veteran cop partnered with the young enthusiastic new comer and the intelligent killer always a step ahead till the end; however, Se7en goes much deeper than this. With numerous "cover up your eyes with whatever you can find" moments, Se7en is an interesting, absorbing journey that gives an audience a horrifying depiction of some sickening aspects of life. But unlike similar films in the genre, it is not as explicit in its conveyance of violence, but more in the aftermath of violence.

-- Plot Summary --

Detective John Somerset (Morgan Freeman), hasn't got long left until his long awaited retirement. He has been in the business for as long as anyone can remember but is now ready to hand over to the new cop on the block, David Mills (Brad Pitt), who has just transferred to New York with wife Tracy (Gweneth Paltrow).

The new partners, don't get off to the best off starts with there different attitudes and approaches but soon need to work together as they are called to investigate the brutal killing of a man drowned in a bowl of soup at his kitchen table, strapped to his chair with barbed wire. Soon enough, a second murder takes place, and it is now that the detectives discover the killer is leading them through a succession of murders surrounding the seven deadly sins of gluttony, sloth, greed, pride, envy, lust and Wrath.

What evolves from here is a deadly game of cat and mouse with chills and thrills for those action lovers, with a complex brain rattling story for the thinkers. What se7en conveys well and what a lot of similar films fail to realise is that good does not always triumph over evil and another thing Se7en does well is bring foward themes of brutality within humanity and still has an unrivalled level of sophistication.

-- Character Performances --

Brad Pitt is excellent as the young, hard-edged cop. At the start of the film he is arrogant and thinks he knows exactly how it will pan out, until he starts to realise he is not as mentally prepared for such a mission as he thought he might be. Pitt handles this decline extremely well from a young confident rookie to a horrified, paranoid individual who has suddenly seen it all.

Morgan Freeman produces another fantastic performance in this movie. He lends a sense of gravity, a realism, to events that would push the bounds of believability. He starts of as this tired old cop on the brink of retirement who doesn't want to have to participate in a case that may drag on. But soon he realises he is the only one capable of catching the killer and becomes invigorated with a new sense of hope, portrayed to the audience brilliantly.

Gweneth Paltrow plays a nice, understated role as David Mills wife, and she adds whatever little happiness there is to the film, important in such a dark and in many ways depressing film.

Kevin Spacey plays John Doe, the killer. He is a sheer genius I this movie, delivering a chilling performance that is up there with Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, as a deranged serial killer where the audience is able to experience his sheer brutality as well as an emotional unstable man.

-- The Director --

David Fincher cemented himself firmly into the world of top-notch visionary directors with this assignment. He tells this brutal story exceedingly well. His first feature film, Alien 3 was a disaster and failure at the box office. He thought he may not get the chance to direct a feature film again and begun to settle back down into music when the opportunity to direct Se7en arrived and he wasn't going to let anyone down with this film.
The basic structure of the story is your standard, serial killer movie, however Fincher delivers some shocking scenes, but with a lot of psychological and spiritual exploration and an amazing attention to detail.

Fincher creates a very dark environment, so if you haven't already seen it don’t expect to leave your lounge room feeling full of joy by any means. In a world where all the 'good' has been sifted out, Fincher utilizes a number of visual and audio influences that create just the right environment to make it completely believable.

-- Summary --

If you haven't seen this movie already, do so! It was now made surprisingly 10 years ago, but is a modern day classic. A brilliant exploration with a great cast, fantastic directing and brilliant screenplay. It is a movie that stays with you for a long time, for one reason or another.


-- DVD Extras --

If the main movie isnt enough for you the two-disc, special edition DVD of Se7en comes with two discs packed with loads of extras including:
- commentary from actors, director, screenwriter, sound engineer, and a feast of others
- deleted and extended scenes
- alternate ending (interesting)
- production designs
-promo material
- filmographies
- still photographs
- and alot more

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age