Fantasy films are rarely as undisciplined – and disoriented – as the new to DVD “Legion.”
That doesn’t mean genre hounds won’t bay over a wingless angel trying to save humanity from itself.
The film likely doomed itself by not living up to its terrific trailer, but “Legion” is the sort of pulp fiction pap that goes down easily.
Paul Bettany stars as Michael, a renegade angel who comes to earth to prevent the apocalypse. Seems The Man Upstairs is fed up with humanity’s shenanigans and wants to wipe the slate clean.
Mankind’s last hope rests in the womb of a single momma (Adrianne Palicki) who works at a truck stop diner in Anywhere, U.S.A.
That diner becomes ground zero for an invasion of angels who look nothing like the winged cherubs we expect. They’ve got sharp fangs for teeth and their faces stretch out to long, monstrous sneers when angered.
All that stands in their way is an ethnically diverse cadre of diner denizens – and one pistol-packing angel sans wings.
“Legion” teases us with spiritual chatter, as if it was actually interested in the theological ramifications of its own story. The religious themes turn out to be as deep as a pamphlet, almost a distraction to the bloodshed that ensues.
Bettany nearly sells “Legion” all by his lonesome, supplying both brute force and story exposition in his buttery voice.
The supporting cast is just as accomplished, from Dennis Quaid’s dumbstruck diner owner to Tyrese Gibson’s soulful warrior. Lucas Black, the good ol’ boy you’d want your daughter to marry, attempts to give the film some genuine emotion but the dumbstruck dialogue won’t let him.
“Legion” starts off with a nasty little sequence featuring the old lady from the trailer, but the film only grows darker – and more convoluted – from there.
A few individual visuals pop off the screen, like the diner itself, a crusty slice of Americana perfectly realized by FX guru turned director Scott Stewart.
You can see a first-rate thriller lurking beneath “Legion,” but it lacks the road map to reach its buried potential.
(Photo: Paul Bettany is ready to rumble in “Legion,” now available on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m pretty sure Adrianne Palicki played the single mom. But other than great review!
At least I know that someone besides me and Joe Bob Briggs saw “Exorcist III” (which was, coincidentally, based on a novel called “Legion”… These people stole the creepiest scene from “E III.”
Did it include a speech about carp, Charlos?
Fixed … thanks Blackhawk!