Legend (Ultimate Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Movie Review: Legendary
Summary: 5 Stars
This film has too often been overlooked as being a legitimate part of the top-shelf films of the fantasy genre. Granted, there aren't all that many fantasy films to begin with, and even fewer that are worth anything. Nonetheless, this is one of the good ones & should be considered as such.The movie is basically a fairy-tale that has a whole lot of motifs from mythology mixed in. The typical hero's (Tom Cruise) journey to the underworld is well represented. Tim Curry does a great job of playing the demonic ruler of the underworld.
A young Mia Sara plays the fairy-talesque naive young woman of innocence. Her abduction to the underworld and the attempts of the dark lord to seduce her reminded me a great deal of the tale of Persephone's abduction by Hades in Greek mythology.
In this editon, you get 2 different versions of the film. One is the Director's Cut and the other is the theatrical release. The Director's Cut is about 24 minutes longer, but the most drastic difference are the soundtracks. The Director's Cut uses a soundtrack written by Jerry Goldsmith, while the theatrical release offers the familiar TANGERINE DREAM rendition.
While some aspects of the film may seem incomplete, this is a terrific movie for an escape into an imaginary world. That it's done by one of the greatest directors in the world doesn't hurt, either. Regardless of the version you favor, LEGEND is the kind of delightful & refreshing movie that makes us believe we'll never grow old.
Movie Review: Tangerine Dreams' score is a keeper!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love Jerry Goldsmiths' music in this film and the nice thing about DVD is that you can just flip the TV off and just enjoy the music. Unfortunately, Jerry's score simply doesn't cut it for what this film was meant to be marketed for (teenage boys and girls). When I saw this as a teenager in the local cineplex I fell in love with it and the music of Tangerine Dream was something of a marvel since a mythical movie had never really been made with an 80's mosaic sound. If Jerry's musical score had been kept it would have just bored me to tears being a crazy teenager having just seen Tom Cruise in "Risky Business." After years and years of embattlement, the movie studio has finally allowed Jerry's score to be released with a Directors Cut of the film. Yet even after all these years I still long for the Tangerine Dream score! The Directors Cut of the film is a much different film, loaded with dramatic and character developments which go right along with the more sophisticated Goldsmith score, while the Tangerine Dream version is a far more "summer-like movie" with faster edits and get-to-the-point scene changes. Considering the Directors cut is 20 minutes longer, I opt for the shorter version simply because it moves quicker and has a more appealing edge and gets the job done far more efficiently. Having Tangerine Dreams' classic score to listen to over and over is quite a treat as well!
Movie Review: us version still magical - director's cut 5 Stars
C'mon Ridley... I barely made it through the film. The DVD set is definitely worth the purchase, but the director's cut is only worthwhile as a study. I don't understand you whom give praise to the original. I am usually a fan of the "original masterpiece," but for any of us millions of kids out there who grew up on Legend and fell in love with Mia Sara and for years to come would catch a bit of Legend on TV, and relive these childlike imaginative moments found only in our dreams, this other version is boring. The score completely distanced me from the film. I completely respect Jerry Goldsmith, but it came across as a seperate entity, not part of the film. As soon as I turned on the US version with the Tangerine Dream score I was transported right back in my childhood. I'd say that this was just due to nostalgia, but first-time viewers of the film agreed with me as well. Just after watching one scene, the consensus was that the TD score and the pacing of the US version just work better. This is a children's movie, correct? The pacing in the director's cut is way too slow. I had to struggle to stay awake. Admittedly, the ending of the US version is very cheesy, but is a cheesy ending always bad? I'd rather sit back and float through a magical fantasy world than stare impatiently as a seemingly endless stream of long drawn out scenes drags across the screen.Movie Review: A Lost Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen all the various versions of Legend. UK release, US release and now The Ultimate Edition. My first viewing of Legend was the US release. At the time I was struck by the sets, costumes, cinematography and individual performances in the film. Still I found the film to be a messterpeice. (A film that is a complete mess with moments of dazzling brilliance) For some reason I kept going back and viewing the film. With each viewing I found the film more hypnotic. The Ultimate Edition, which features the Original Jerry Goldsmith score, along with restored footage and dialogue, laid to rest once and for all my misgivings about the film. Legend is a visionary film. Ridley Scott's inspiration for Legend was Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast. Scott has even said he originally had intended for Mia Sara's Princess to turn into a cat like creature after succumbing to temptation. Mia Sara, in her first film role, gives a star turning performance as the young girl whose blossoming sexuality both tempts and beguiles everyone who comes in touch with her, including Tim Curry's Darkness. The scenes between Tim Curry (Barely recognizable under Rob Bottin's incredible make up job) and Mia Sara are among the best in the film. Legend is a picture book fairy tale brought magnificently to life.Preston McClear...
Movie Review: Ridley Scott Was At His Best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Legend (Special Edition) this is probably my favorite of all the Ridley Scott films. The imagery and now the wondrous score of the original European release of Jerry Goldsmith music is back. I have always had the original score on CD but had never seen it to the movie.What I did find interesting is that they had interviews with all the cast and crew except one person. Tom Cruise. And, ironically enough no one mentioned him either. Now be it `star' attitude or the fact he would make himself available - either way this makes this DVD that much more special.
Ridley Scott during his commentary does mention Tom's talent and athletic abilities but he really does focus on Tim Curry (Darkness), Billy Barty (Troll), David Bennet (Gump) and Mia Sarrow (Lilly) and the technical aspects of making this movie.
The story is simple. Good verse Evil and Good triumphs. The visuals of the fairies and forest are incredible; one of the most beautiful things in the films is the Unicorns.
There are two versions of this film, (two DVD) one with the less respectable music of Tangerine Dream (although good - not appropriate ion my opinion) and one, which is the European release with the Jerry Goldsmith score. This DVD is a must for the sci-fi and fantasy collector. I watched it several times. (8-13-02)