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Review #126: Legend
A demonic creature known only as 'Darkness', rules his kingdom with an iron fist. When he senses the presence of two Unicorns, he makes it his mission to kill them and take their power so he can turn the Universe into a world of darkness and evil forever... and by kidnapping Princess Lili and forcing her into marriage, he will become King of all that he surveys.
Standing in his way though, is a young forest dweller, friend of the Princess and reluctant Hero called 'Jack o'the green'.
With help of some mystical creatures and a few disparate friends, Jack goes on the adventure to end all adventures.
What a lovely movie. It contains pretty much everything a fan of magical lands would want.
There are elements of darker fairytales throughout and some of the imagery isn't for kids, but the imagination that went into the world the viewer is seeing is absolutely brilliant.
Some of the scenes are a little cheesy, and some of the dialogue, particularly between Jack and Lili is full of cheese and cod-mysticism. What makes it work though, is that it is really knowing of what it is.
Some of the screenplay however isn't perfect and a lot of it is very simplistic. The overall story has also been done many a time before. Again though, what makes it work is the world that has been created around the story.
There are also some lovely little hits of humour throughout too and the darker side of the story is very, very well concieved.
Think of the film as a cross between LOTR, The Dark Crystal and pretty much any fantasy film that has Little People wearing funny suits and prosthetic makeup.
Talking of makeup, the effects really are top notch.
Costumes, makeup, overall practical effects are an absolute wonder to watch, especially Lord Darkness himself.
Effects wizard Rob Bottin and his crew really go all out on the movie. Next to Robocop and The Thing, it's one of Bottin's best.
Tom Cruise (sporting some wonderfully wonky teeth) plays Jack. His reluctant hero is certainly one of Cruise's most likeable characters. At one point, a different actor was cast but Tom was chosen due to his small stature.
Mia Sara is perfectly cast as Princess Lili. She's sweet, innocent and carries the darker scenes fantastically too.
Backing them up are David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty, Cork Hubbart and Robert Picardo, and they're all on top form.
Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stephen King's It as Pennywise The Dancing Clown) as Darkness however, is by far the standout actor on show. Not just because of the makeup and prosthetics, it's Curry himself that really stands out... or at least, Curry himself doesn't stand out.
He's absolutely unrecognisable. He really is the character and Curry's natural theatricality lives with the viewer even when he's not on screen.
All in all, a couple of miss-hits during the running time, mainly in the legend of the world that Ridley Scott has tried to create... but as a whole it's one of the most enjoyable 'fantasy world' movies going and the acting and effects all round are wonderful.
My rating 91%
A demonic creature known only as 'Darkness', rules his kingdom with an iron fist. When he senses the presence of two Unicorns, he makes it his mission to kill them and take their power so he can turn the Universe into a world of darkness and evil forever... and by kidnapping Princess Lili and forcing her into marriage, he will become King of all that he surveys.
Standing in his way though, is a young forest dweller, friend of the Princess and reluctant Hero called 'Jack o'the green'.
With help of some mystical creatures and a few disparate friends, Jack goes on the adventure to end all adventures.
What a lovely movie. It contains pretty much everything a fan of magical lands would want.
There are elements of darker fairytales throughout and some of the imagery isn't for kids, but the imagination that went into the world the viewer is seeing is absolutely brilliant.
Some of the scenes are a little cheesy, and some of the dialogue, particularly between Jack and Lili is full of cheese and cod-mysticism. What makes it work though, is that it is really knowing of what it is.
Some of the screenplay however isn't perfect and a lot of it is very simplistic. The overall story has also been done many a time before. Again though, what makes it work is the world that has been created around the story.
There are also some lovely little hits of humour throughout too and the darker side of the story is very, very well concieved.
Think of the film as a cross between LOTR, The Dark Crystal and pretty much any fantasy film that has Little People wearing funny suits and prosthetic makeup.
Talking of makeup, the effects really are top notch.
Costumes, makeup, overall practical effects are an absolute wonder to watch, especially Lord Darkness himself.
Effects wizard Rob Bottin and his crew really go all out on the movie. Next to Robocop and The Thing, it's one of Bottin's best.
Tom Cruise (sporting some wonderfully wonky teeth) plays Jack. His reluctant hero is certainly one of Cruise's most likeable characters. At one point, a different actor was cast but Tom was chosen due to his small stature.
Mia Sara is perfectly cast as Princess Lili. She's sweet, innocent and carries the darker scenes fantastically too.
Backing them up are David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty, Cork Hubbart and Robert Picardo, and they're all on top form.
Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stephen King's It as Pennywise The Dancing Clown) as Darkness however, is by far the standout actor on show. Not just because of the makeup and prosthetics, it's Curry himself that really stands out... or at least, Curry himself doesn't stand out.
He's absolutely unrecognisable. He really is the character and Curry's natural theatricality lives with the viewer even when he's not on screen.
All in all, a couple of miss-hits during the running time, mainly in the legend of the world that Ridley Scott has tried to create... but as a whole it's one of the most enjoyable 'fantasy world' movies going and the acting and effects all round are wonderful.
My rating 91%
