The lackluster film ‘Seventh Son’ seems to exemplify the disappointing start to a new movie season that often follows the holidays. It's in unfortunate company with other weak releases like the science fiction film ‘Jupiter Ascending’ and the uninspired melodrama ‘The Boy Next Door,’ all vying for attention on screens at the same time. What’s particularly jarring about ‘Seventh Son’ is seeing established actors, including Oscar winner Jeff Bridges (‘Crazy Heart’) and current Oscar nominee Julianne Moore (for 2014's ‘Still Alice’), appearing in director Sergei Bodrov’s (‘Mongol’) strange combination of a period piece and science fiction. It feels like Bridges’s character, an aging spook who fights evil, and Moore’s wicked witch might warrant having their professional credentials reconsidered after audiences experience this flawed fantasy filled with magical nonsense. ‘Seventh Son’ quickly establishes a familiar, predictable story centered on a mentor-student relationship between the weary spook Gregory (Bridges) and his young apprentice Thomas Ward (Ben Barnes), who is learning to combat the forces of evil. Surprisingly, old Gregory is ridiculed for believing in these supernatural threats, even as he consistently warns about them. His warnings become quite serious when the malicious witch Mother Malkin (Moore) escapes confinement with a plan for revenge against Gregory and world domination. Resembling ‘Maleficent’s’ gaudy sister in terms of costume design, Mother Malkin is determined and poses a significant threat that requires Gregory to enlist Thomas' help. Thomas has a unique and somewhat confusing backstory that explains why Gregory pays him so much attention. It turns out he is the ‘seventh son’ from a lineage of seventh sons, granting him a special ability to fight effectively and serve as a valuable asset in restoring order to a society unprepared for Mother Malkin’s reign. The film then shows Thomas' training process and the philosophical lessons that accompany his journey between good and evil. As with many action heroes, Thomas finds motivation through a romantic connection with Alice (Alicia Vikander), a half-witch who may have secrets of her own that become important later on. Director Bodrov’s stiff direction, along with screenwriters Charles Leavitt (‘Blood Diamonds’) and Steven Knight (‘Eastern Promises’), results in an amateurish script that does the film no favors. The dialogue is dull, the plot feels disjointed, the acting is over-the-top, the fight scenes are boring, the 3-D effects look unoriginal, the magic and swordplay seem cliché, and the dragons and other creatures appear unintentionally comical. It all comes across as if the film was pieced together haphazardly after a night of heavy drinking. In this disappointing movie, both Bridges and Moore seem strangely cast in this awkward costume drama, raising questions about why such experienced performers would agree to participate. Barnes’s performance is unremarkable, reminiscent of a watered-down Luke Skywalker from ‘Star Wars.’ Even the presence of Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (‘Blood Diamonds’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘In America’) cannot elevate the film as he portrays Radu, a warlock with multiple arms and stylish chain accessories. Only Alicia Vikander’s enchanting portrayal of Alice and Olivia Williams' depiction of Thomas’ mother, Mam Ward, stand out enough to be vaguely memorable. ‘Seventh Son’ is based on the Joseph Delaney books, which have a dedicated readership. However, this adaptation fails to capture the essence of those stories. A ‘Twilight’-like phenomenon seems unlikely for ‘Seventh Son,’ and if that proves incorrect, perhaps the film needs a serious overhaul. Seventh Son (2015) Universal Pictures 2 hrs. Starring: Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Ben Barnes, Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Vikander and Olivia Williams Directed by: Sergei Bodrov Genre: Science Fiction and Fantasy/Medieval Melodrama/Supernatural Fable/Sorcery and Swords Saga Critic’s rating: * star (out of 4 stars)

Source on TMDB