Legend (Ultimate Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Movie Review: Great to have choice
Summary: 5 Stars
The Tangerine Dream score (original US) was far better and more appropriate than the pendantic Goldsmith score. TD was at their height at this time. The TD score, and the two add ons by Brian Ferry and Jon Anderson from Yes, were positive highlights from the '86 release. In the commentaries, the TD score is described almost as a rock and roll score, but this is a bad description. It was the two songs by Brian Ferry and Jon Anderson that were layed on top of the TD score at the end that were rock and roll. (And they were good, too.) The TD score itself was completely appropriate to the movie as it gave it an otherworldy feel, while still being gentle and lilting in places.
But it was nice to finally see the alternate Euro version. The extra scenes with Meg Knucklebones were a hoot. I learned from the commentaries that Meg was played by the same actor who played the hologram doctor on Star Trek Voyager.
What is not commented on was that the US theatre version had scenes that were NOT in the Euro version. Specifically, just after Gump and Jack split up from Brown Tom and Screwball in the underground lair, they have a big fight with a group of barrow wights (for lack of better term.) This fight scene is absent from the Director's Cut, but is in the Theatre version which is included in this package. That is why it's great to have both.
I am not sure which film crew person was most responsible for the overall look, and world details of the movie, but they really did a great job. This is probably the last movie made before CGI took over the world and if it were made today it would have that cartoony look that the people seem to like (but I don't.) This person should have received an oscar nomination at the least as discussed in the commentaries.
The actors and actresses portraying the little goblins and monsters and forest folk all give great performances and the world is beautifully presented (or frighteningly as the case may be.) The non-humans definetely upstage the human characters.
The Tim Curry monster was pretty scary. Tim Curry (Rocky Horror)gave the performance of his life in this film.
There are a lot of extras in this package. Fans of this rarely discussed film will be delighted by extra sequence footage, the Brian Ferry music video (again rarely seen), many commentary reels from different perspectives, and trailers. I was reminded of how different the theatre commercials were from the Tv spots. It almost seemed like a different movie that either of the releases. Well, worth the low price if you are a fan.
Movie Review: The Legendary Scott !
Summary: 5 Stars
Just as I suspected...Ridley Scott is a director whose work I have always admired. He's a director whose passion for the art of film making and story telling is dominated by his creative spirit and senses. Yet, there was always something restraining or constricting him from going through with what his visionary gut and artistic heart would tell him i.e. Harrison Ford's dead-cold narrative in Bladerunner and of course the U.S. chopped up release of Legend.It's always those who hold the pot of gold that tell the artist what he or she can and cannot do;unless of course the artist is another Lucas or Spielberg ! Then Scott directed Gladiator giving him the upperhand this time in deciding what to do with his film !I thoroughly enjoyed both versions with both alternate soundtrack scores. The Tangerine Dream version adds a mythical and almost spiritual new-age mystical feel (though the soundtrack by today's standards does sound a little dated due to the synth-new wave pop music of the 80's).The Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music)music video brings back memories of my teen years during the 80's! The video will probably make some viewers giggle remembering the funny styles the early and mid 80's MTV pop stars would wear.Yet, the song Is Your Love Strong Enough is anything but laughable; it's very memorable with it's serious melancholy soft rock sound. However, the Jerry Goldsmith version gives the film a more John Williams or even a Disney epic-like nuance which replaces the new age mysticism with something more organic and robust!
The dvd transfer is spectacular without any major characteristics of artificial color saturation or macro blocking mpeg digital artifacts that a lot of releases of older films suffer from. Colors are vibrant yet not bleeding. The dvd version has an overall genuine film quality about it.In addition, it does not look outdated. No one can look at this and say, "Oh yeah, it looks like an 80's fantasy film".It's visually timeless. The DTS and Dolby (though only in 2.0 stereo)tracks will thrill the aural senses with the rich bass (listen to Darkness like never before)and realistic dispersion of special effects !
The acting abilities by a much younger Cruise, beautuiful Sara, and ego-maniacal Curry are superb and truly feel genuine...Ditto for the actors behind the painstakingly detailed make up effects.
Once viewers see the director's full length version it will definitley over shadow the cut up and choppy edited U.S. 90 minute release.
After years of waiting for this dvd Ridley Scott has truly given us a legend !
Movie Review: LOTR people, you've got a point, but hear me out please?
Summary: 5 Stars
I think my affection for this film exists in part because it is one of the few movies my father and I agreed upon instinctively, so different were our viewing "tastes" when he was still alive. He was raised on Tolkien and Anderson, and passed that love unto me. I was privileged to watch this film in the Spring of 1986 at the Oriental theatre in Bensonhurst. It's a "big screen" movie, though I love it as much on a tv set for the stunning visuals and demonic look of Tim Curry. All those years ago, I didn't know it was him until I watched the credits roll! I am proud that this was rereleased, but you have to take it in its context: yes, special effects were not up to 2004 standards, but does this lessen the impact? Absolutely not. Tangerine Dream's musical influences were all over the place, and sadly, they don't quite "fit" the scenes as well as they should. The goblins, unicorns, and dreamy atmosphere creates a world unto itself. Good and evil are a classic battle, and this is one little gem of a film (though it was thought of as a clunker at the time) restored lovingly and with the right edits and soundtrack thanks to the technology of DVD. I remember whooping with joy when I found Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack (by many considered the "real" soundtrack") in a record store about 8 years ago. This is the music that's supposed to accompany this story, but was cut by studio tinkering. (It is also interesting to note that one of the producers who fiddled with Legend later green-lighted that horrible stinker "Howard the Duck"! Does this guy still have a job in Hollywood? I shudder to think.) Tom Cruise--though not my favorite actor--is quite loveable and woodsy as Jack. Mia Sara has perhaps the most perfect look for Lili, a princess, and the cast of extras makes this seem like a book sprung to life onscreen. Quotable quotes from Darkness himself such as "The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity" provide some real substance into the psyche of possibly the purest vision of what Satan/Evil might look like. If you like fantasy, please don't get stuck in the Lord of the Rings blind worship. Yes, Peter Jackson crafted 3 marvels of storytelling, but it was movies such as "Legend" (which did NOT come from a published novel) that paved the way for the fantasy genre to truly shine. This film is but one piece in a big puzzle for those of us who wish to see faeries when we stroll into the woods and thank Father Frost when it snows.Movie Review: L E G E N D
Summary: 5 Stars
"You're an animal!""We are all animals, My dear....."
----- Conversation between Lily & Darkness
Into the world of myths & legends. Indeed, this movie incorperates a myriad of legends into the wonderfully imaginative plot ----- from devils & demons of xian lore, to unicorns, faeries, & elves.
Here is the story of a forest boy turned warrior to retrieve the unicorn's horn, stolen by a goblin minion of "Darkness," the personafication of 'evil'. He resembles the classic demoniac Satan in all its bestial splendour. His aesthetics pleased Me so much, that one day, as I was passing by a costume shop, I saw a mask of it, & felt compelled to purchase it {a scan will follow}.
Surprisingly, this character actually speaks rather philosophically Satanic at times, considering the above introductory quote.
The surroundings are quote stunning, truly reminiscent of a dreamworld, or, should I say, this world at its finest. No cut & dried patches of nature & sparse trees, but repleat with the over-abundance of wilderness, which is, as earth-children ourselves, is inherantly Magical.
We are met with extremely likeable characters at every turn, & exciting adventures spawned from storybook fane. I believe Joseph Campbell, Mytho-Anthropologist extraordinare, would appreciate this movie for its weavings of pagan fare.
The musical score is quite entertaining & moving, particularly the piece, "Darkness", which sounds like the manifestation of Satan Himself.
As always, there's the naive maiden who gets in over her pretty little head, stupidly not adhering to the unwritten "laws" of the forest, which casts all of nature in upheaval, & it is up to her suitor to set things straight. However, Darkness desires her, & cunningly manipulates her to come to him through the use of charm & glamour, appealing to her greedy fancies, & with the wise advice of "Father". Before she realizes it, she is transformed into his counterpart, dancing in effervescent abandon in her newfound form, whirling about in a beautiful black dress. But sadly, she is an ingrate.
Towards the end, the predictable D.P. occurs, ending in the classic binary style of conclusion. As a whole, however, this movie is very entertaining, pleasing to the senses, & brilliantly arranged. Recommended. Discriminate with care.
Movie Review: Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Summary: 5 Stars
I have waited a long time for a proper presentation of this visually stunning film. The wait was worth it! This 2-disc set is why I love DVD! The new restored directors cut of this film makes this more than just a visually breathtaking movie, it delivers a film that changes the way you looked at it originally.Ridley Scott is one of those directors who is always trying to please everybody. Blade Runner was a perfect example. There has been so many cuts of this film. Under pressure from Hollywood execs and test screenings he had to dumb down the film and add narration from Harrison Ford to explain what is going on. Legend was a victim to test screenings also. The result was a hastily edited movie that lost a lot of the impact that this new directors cut has. The feel of the movie is changed right away by not showing Darkness. In the U.S. cut the mystery and weight of the charcter is cut short by choosing to show him right away. All great movie villians are the ones in the shadows, lurking, planning, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. This sense of awe and mystery is given back to the character. Only showing his hand and keeping him in the shadows. Ominous dialog provided by Tim Curry makes this guy evil before you even see him. There are changes like this that makes this feel like an entirely different movie. The addition of Jerry Goldsmiths score also changes the feel and tone of this film. It loses the eerie feel of the score provided by Tangerine Dream, but gives it more of an epic quality. I know some people out there will miss the old score, but fear not. On disc 2 you have the original U.S. cut. The directors cut has a beautiful new anamorphic widescreen presentation and DTS and Dolby Digital sound. The new sound mix is awesome. Heavy bass extension and great use of surrounds which causes this movie to encompass you. Hearing Darkness speak and to feel it in your chest will give you goosebumbs. My only complaint is that the U.S. cut is in Dolby 2.0. As much as I like this new version I really enjoyed TD's trippy synth heavy score, and to not have it in DTS or Dolby Digital is a bummer. There are also tons of extra features to keep you busy. If you are at all a fan of DVD this movie should be in your collection.