Legend (Ultimate Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Movie Review: One of Ridley Scott's best films. Nothing short of a classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet. Anyone familiar with my reviews knows that I have a tendency to go pretty in depth with my point of view. This time I want to focus on some important issues dealing with the movie at hand here. After all, a film such as this deserves the attention.
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about this double DVD releasing of LEGEND. I guess there have been many different versions of this movie released on VHS and DVD over the years. Most people seem confused about which version is the theater releasing and which one is the "uncut" version. In the case of this DVD, it comes with both versions on two separate discs. On the front of this box, it's subtitled as the "director's cut." This is true. The first DVD in this collection is the extended director's cut, with the original soundtrack. The second DVD in this set is the "original" American releasing of LEGEND with Tangerine Dream doing the movie score.
This version is much shorter than the "director's cut" disc and is probably the film most people are familiar with. I see a lot of reviews on this site claiming that it only comes with the extended version and thats it. This just isn't true. It's obvious that those reviewers didn't do their homework, or even watched the second disc for that matter. Maybe they just assumed that it was the "extras" disc or something. Once again, this DVD set comes with both versions of the film.
With that being said, it just becomes a matter of opinion on which DVD verion you prefer watching. Personally speaking, I grew up watching this movie. My younger Brother first introduced me to LEGEND many years ago and it's become a favorite of ours ever since. To say this is a "fantasy classic" is an understatement. This is one of the best ever made. Adding scenes to the original verion is like a dream come true for the "old school" fans. It's like finding a hidden treasure.
One of the best things about the movie LEGEND was the amazing soundtrack done by the band Tangerine Dream. Having them do the score really turns this movie into a beautiful, 1980's fantasy epic that leaves a lasting impression. It's no wonder some fans can't get into the "director's cut" version of this film. However, with both versions being included in this double DVD set, it really shouldn't be a problem for anybody. If you don't like one version, just switch discs. Simple as that.
On a personal note, I find the extended cut too good to pass up. Sure, I miss the Tangerine Dream soundtrack, but the extra scenes more than make up for it. This new version adds depth, dialogue and a darker (more suiting) ending for the film. It might come off as too long for some and the lack of Tangerine Dream might turn off a few fans, but anyone who's a fan of un-cut cinema should be able to look past those small problems. Besides, the "director's cut" version is the movie Ridley Scott made in the first place. I like the Tangerine Dream soundtrack better, but it would have been nice to see the extra scenes included as well. It's too bad we (the fans) can't get the best of both worlds.
Some people might find the extra scenes unimportant, considering they already fell in love with the Tangerine Dream version of this movie. Here's the way I see it and maybe it's something you (the viewer) might have to take into consideration. Had this movie been originally released as the "director's cut" verion without Tangerine Dream as the soundtrack, would you still have enjoyed the film? I asked myself this question as I watched the extended cut and found that my answer was "yes." The over all movie is just too beautiful, amazing and well done to ignore. Tangerine Dream or not.
The movie LEGEND itself is a simple fantasy story, told with a dark Ridley Scott vibe. Such themes as good versus evil and personal redemption permeate the story from start to finish. Tom Cruise (from his younger days) plays a "child of the forest" type who is in love with a young girl from a more conventional part of society.
One day, he takes her deep into the woods to show her something truly forbidden for most humans to see, two Unicorns. Needless to say, leading this human to these magical creatures has it's consequences. Dark goblins and the king of all evil (played by the amazing Tim Curry) are after the powerful horns of these Unicorns as magical wands. The goblins and monsters follow them into the forest, find the Unicorns and cut off one of their horns. This horrible event throws their world into a seemingly endless Winter.
The movie over all has a very dark and sinister vibe to it, yet it can also be amazingly warm and beautiful at the same time. Ridley Scott is truly one of the best directors of our time and the movie LEGEND is a testimony to that. He's made some of the best movies I've ever seen (BLADE RUNNER and ALIEN for example) and his style is unlike anybody else in the scene.
LEGEND isn't a bloody or gory film but then again, it doesn't need to be. It's dark, brooding and beautiful. The cinematography, make-up and set designs alone are worth the time and money spent on this film. The Lord Of Darkness is an especially amazing sight to behold. This movie is perfect for kids and adults all at the sametime. If you've never seen this movie before, stop what your doing and get yourself a copy!
Thats all I have to say.
Over and out.
Movie Review: "Woo Her...Make Her One of Us..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Deep down I know that "Legend" is a bizzare film and that it was never a critical success, that its characters are one-dimensional and its story line is feather-light to say the least. And yet, there is something intoxicating about its simplicity, its atmosphere and its deeper fairytale origins that make "Legend" fascinating for me personally. As I mentioned, the story is painfully simple, so simple as to be found ludicrous by some viewers: Princess Lili and Jack-of-the-Green enjoy an idyllic fairytale lifestyle in the forest, until one day when Jack shows Lili the magnificent unicorns that make up one side of an eternal balance of Good and Evil. Lili can't resist: she approaches the unicorns, and by doing so creates the perfect trap for goblins to steal the stallion's horn. Winter suddenly grips the land as the balance is disrupted.
Lili and the remaining unicorn are captured and taken to Darkness's lair, where the Lord of Darkness becomes fascinated by Lili's purity and takes it upon himself to corrupt her before destroying the last unicorn. Meanwhile, Jack teams up with a group of faeries in order to prevent these two events from occuring.
A not-quite-famous-yet Tom Cruise plays Jack, in a role that is painfully underdeveloped. Running around with a loincloth and a sword as the archetypal hero-warrior is something he would probably like to forget. The character has no depth, no background and no interest. However, no one can dispute that Cruise became famous for a reason, and in his hands the dialouge is not as bad as it would sound coming out of a lesser man. It's a bad role, but he carries it as best he can.
The real stars of the show are Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness (basically the devil), and Mia Sara as Lili. Only Curry's voice is recognisable under tons of prosthetics, and he plays his role with both malevolence and a touch of sympathy. He comes across as evil incarnate, but as an evil that is ultimately lonely, and who believes that his role as darkness is necessary for the existence of goodness and light. It is this view he tries to justify to his chosen bride Lili, as gradually she falls under his dominion.
Mia Sara goes through a radical change with Lili, from the light-hearted Princess, to the desparate runaway to the black-clad bride; a change that is fascinating to behold. Whether you love this movie or not, I guarantee that you will not soon forget Lili's experience with the faceless black dress that lures her into dancing. She handles both incarnations of her character amazingly well, understanding that in being pure and innocent (ie, being a child) means a degree of selfishness and disregard for the rules must also exist, and as she falls from grace into temptation and evil, she keeps a touch of her humanity that allows her to uphold her end of the philosophical debate she shares with Darkness (I only wish there was more of it!). She's stunning, and like the Childlike Empress in "The Neverending Story", you can't take your eyes off her.
The visual beauty of this film is perhaps its strongest point. Dispite the wobbly horns of the unicorns, the forest is everyone's dream-forest, awash with colours, petals, flowers, moss, water and trees. Likewise, the Darkness's domain is stunning in its scale and opulence, and its ability to be both beautiful and completely sinister.
As your typical mainstream movie it fails, as only a small percentage will enjoy its oddness, but succeeds as a dark fairytale that is potent with themes of trial, temptation, sacrifice, lust and good and evil. As an English scholar at university with a special interest in folklore and mythology it seems only natural that this movie would appeal to me, and to anyone else who has an interest in such things.
When I was a child I remember watching this movie (so yes, nostalgia does mean my five-star rating is rather biased), but when the Lord of Darkness appeared through the mirror I was thoroughly freaked out (proof that this movie *isn't* a kid-friendly fantasy), turned off the television and regretted it ever since. For years I wondered how Jack, Lili and the faeries managed in their battle against Darkness, until one day whilst browsing Amazon.com I found myself reading a review that described a very familiar storyline. One phonecall to the video-store later, I was settling down to finally finish the story. I recommend this movie, but not for those of a cynical or critical mind. You probably already know whether you'll love or hate this movie, and now you've been warned of its pitfalls - so take a risk, especially now with the more complete special edition that gives it a new soundtrack and a less-frantic pace. I adore it.
Movie Review: A Fascinating Film with a Fascinating Backstory
Summary: 5 Stars
"Legend" is one of those films that was really ahead of its time. An epic tale of adventure along the lines of "Lord of the Rings", it really is unforgettable and features one of the most memorable villains in movie history.The film is basically a fairy tale, centering on the struggle between good and evil. Tom Cruise plays Jack, an elf looking to save his love, Princess Lily, after the forces of darkness kill a unicorn and kidnap her, along with the last of the remaining unicorns. He must face the Lord of Darkness himself, played by an unrecognizable Tim Curry, to do so.
"Legend" really has everything. It's, at its heart, a love story about a man trying to save the woman he loves from the clutches of evil. But it also features a cast of characters that is almost too many to count. Goblins, elves, and fairies populate the world of "Legend", making for a true fantasy epic. The Lord of Darkness in particular is spectacular even when he says nothing, as he is both fascinating and terrifying to look at.
As I said, this movie was really made too soon. The effects and sets are incredible, only matched lately by "Lord of the Rings". The costume designs are incredible, particularly the Lord of Darkness and his minions. In many ways, the effects are almost too good, as it almost overshadows the story.
That's not to say that "Legend" is perfect. The acting, particularly by Cruise, isn't anything to write home about. I think that was partially due to the fact that many of the voices are dubbed in. Still, it's a bit disappointing. There's also some characters in the movie that really serve no purpose, like Screwball, except comic relief, which is sort of inappropriate in this film.
This "Ultimate Edition" actually includes two versions of the film. The "Director's Cut" includes the original score by Jerry Goldsmith, which is excellent. This version is also a little longer, although it's not very noticeable. The other version contains the original Tangerine Dream score, which is good, but is almost too cartoonish for my tastes.
The thing that really shines on this DVD is the documentary on the making of "Legend". Almost everyone involved in the film (except Cruise) is in it, talking about the production, the set, and their disappointment in the final U.S. product. The most interesting part is about how the sound stage where they had constructed this elaborate set burned down and caused them to forget about certain shots. Ridley Scott is one of my favorite directors, and he very candidly talks about this movie from beginning to end. It's really a treat for fans of this movie.
I would highly recommend "Legend" to any fantasy fan or anyone who enjoyed "Lord of the Rings". It's a movie that really doesn't get enough attention from film fans and critics.
Movie Review: There is no good without evil; no light without darkness
Summary: 5 Stars
As long as unicorns roam the earth evil can never harm the pure of heart, and that is why the prince of Darkness has sent his most foulest goblins out into the very daylight he seeks to destroy forever to cut off the horns of the last two remaining. But when Jack (the forest boy, played by a very young Tom Cruise) takes Lily (a royal princess, played by the beautiful Mia Sara) to see them, she does the forbidden and touches these ancient creatures. Lily soon discovers it was she who unintentionally lured the unicorns into the goblin's trap; enabling them to shoot the poison stinger into one of the "beasts", as they call them, with a clear view. She vows to make things right again as the land becomes shrouded in a blanket of snow by trying to protect the remaining unicorn, but she is too frail to even defend herself. She thus is captured, along with the unicorn, and is taken back to the great tree where the wicked come to sacrifice. There the prince of Darkness yearns for a companion and tries to make Lily one of them by tempting her with jewels and power while Jack and his new friends Honeythorn Gump, a jealous sprite, and some other nymphs device a plan to save Lily, the unicorn, and the world before it is covered in eternal shadow.
Legend wasn't too well received in theaters and was not a favorite among critics but it has quickly become a cult classic with fantasy lovers like me. Considering the low budget director Ridley Scott was given in order to make this film in the mid-80s, I thought they did a wonderful job in bringing William Hjortsberg's dark fairytale to life, which was written specifically for the screen. I also felt the entire cast put on remarkable performances - especially Tim Curry who went through hell (pun intended) to look as devilish as he does...
Within this two-disc set is two versions of the film. One is the director's cut, as it was intended to be seen, and the other is the U.S. theatrical version, which I personally prefer, as do many others apparently. There are many extended scenes in the director's cut that were taken out of the U.S. release to trim down the overall running time but I felt the U.S. version simply flowed better. It also features a more dramatic score by Jerry Goldsmith instead of the more emotional score by Tangerine Dream and doesn't include the closing credits song "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" by Brian Ferry, ending the movie on a more magical note. But still, it was nice to see both versions and to compare the two. There's also a lot of bonus material in the limited edition of Legend that many fans will be grateful for.
Movie Review: There is no good without evil; no light without darkness
Summary: 5 Stars
As long as unicorns roam the earth evil can never harm the pure of heart, and that is why the prince of Darkness has sent his most foulest goblins out into the very daylight he seeks to destroy forever to cut off the horns of the last two remaining. But when Jack (the forest boy, played by a very young Tom Cruise) takes Lily (a royal princess, played by the beautiful Mia Sara) to see them, she does the forbidden and touches these ancient creatures. Lily soon discovers it was she who unintentionally lured the unicorns into the goblin's trap; enabling them to shoot the poison stinger into one of the "beasts", as they call them, with a clear view. She vows to make things right again as the land becomes shrouded in a blanket of snow and tries to protect the last unicorn standing but is too frail to defend even herself. She then is captured, along with the unicorn, and taken back to the great tree where the wicked come to sacrifice. There the prince of Darkness yearns for a companion and tries to make Lily one of them by tempting her with jewels and power while Jack and his new friends Gump, a jealous sprite and some other nymphs, device a plan to save Lily, the unicorn, and the world before it's covered in eternal shadow.
Legend wasn't too well received in theaters and was not a favorite among most critics but it has quickly become a cult classic with fantasy lovers like me. Considering the low budget director Ridley Scott was given in order to make this film in the mid-80s, I thought they did a wonderful job in bringing William Hjortsberg's dark fairytale to life, which was written specifically for the screen. I also felt the entire cast put on remarkable performances - especially Tim Curry who went through hell (pun intended) to look as devilish as he does here...
Within this two-disc set is two versions of the film. One is the director's cut, as it was intended to be seen, and the other is the U.S. theatrical version, which I personally prefer, as do many others apparently. There are many extended scenes in the director's cut that were taken out of the U.S. release to trim down the overall running time but I felt the U.S. version simply flowed better. It also features a more dramatic score by Jerry Goldsmith instead of the more emotional score by Tangerine Dream and doesn't include the closing credits song "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" by Brian Ferry, ending the movie on a more magical note. But still, it was nice to see both versions and to compare the two. There's also a lot of bonus materials in the limited edition of Legend that many fans will be very grateful for.