Never riotously funny, there's nevertheless a consistent strain of silliness throughout the movie that's reliably entertaining. Some of the humor toes a line in regards to racism, sexism, fat jokes, or other topics broached in an unnecessarily careless manner - though we also see these turned on their heads in mockery, after a fashion. And much more than that, the comedy is built on steadfast staples of sex jokes and innuendo, sight gags, exaggerated characters and situations, a touch of physical comedy, and an abundance of abject ridiculousness. Even with such a large cast through each of the segments (with some very recognizable names and faces), and so many writers contributing to the project, the feature still feels tight and sharp, with solid timing and a keen precision in the orchestration of every scene. My commendations to filmmaker Graham Stark and all others who worked on 'The magnificent seven deadly sins' - this is a good bit of fun!
From one to the next some segments may be more more engaging and enjoyable than others, with snappier acting, punchlines, and/or writing at large. It's also worth noting that some jokes are built on small facets of British culture that may pass right over the heads of viewers thusly unfamiliar. In general the picture maintains a marginally subdued tone, seemingly aiming to be dependable instead of sensational; it's debatable whether this is a good approach for a comedy, but I appreciate it nonetheless. With that said, everyone in the cast does a fine job of making the most of their part within the hearty if restrained spirit of each bit. And from a technical standpoint, and in considering rounding details and the work of crew behind the scenes, 'The magnificent seven deadly sins' is rather fantastic. The cinematography is crisp and vivid, as is the film editing. I quite like Roy Budd's joyfully irreverent music, and the production design and art direction across each sketch is simply swell. Truthfully, there's a whole lot to like here!
Each sketch feels distinctly different as they reflect their respective themes, and there's a fair variety in the type of comedy each imparts, too. With only so much time to introduce, develop, and resolve every small story, the focus is on brisk scene writing to enliven diminutive narratives, and dialogue is likewise characterized by quick quips over especial wordplay. All this is to say: this is a movie that's faithfully fleet-footed from beginning to end, and trustfully amusing as it earns some good laughs. Viewers seeking utmost hilarity and visceral shenanigans in their comedies may feel put out, yet anyone who appreciates the wide possibilities of the genre - and particularly those who admire British humor - will feel right at home. A little uneven, 'The magnificent seven deadly sins' holds up pretty well all the same, and is worth your while if you're looking for a simple, uncomplicated diversion.
