Jack (Tom Cruise) and Lily (Mia Sara) are young friends in a mystical land occupied by goblins, fairies, all-important unicorns...and threatened by the evil machinations of the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Jack will be joined by other heroes like Gump (David Bennent), Screwball (Billy Barty), and Brown Tom (Cork Hubbert) as they take on the challenges facing them, and work to figure out a way to defeat Darkness.
Since "Legend" is directed by master stylist Ridley Scott, it's not surprising that it looks great, with production design by Assheton Gorton and cinematography by Alex Thomson. Written by William Hjortsberg (whose other credits include 'The Georgia Peaches', "Thunder and Lightning", and "Angel Heart"), it does dawdle somewhat at times, and it becomes clear that it doesn't really contain a lot of story. Still, it's a reasonably engaging adventure that also benefits from a truly stifling atmosphere at times, and characters that are generally amiable without being fleshed out very much.
The special effects are well executed, with makeup effects expert Rob Bottin ("The Howling", "The Thing", and "Total Recall") doing some extremely impressive work, especially the incredible visage that he and crew create for Curry. You certainly don't recognize the actor at all.
The actors are appealingly sincere, with Cruise and Sara representing characters of innocence. In addition to Bennent, Barty, and Hubbert, we have Alice Playten as a nasty goblin named Blix, Peter O'Farrell as pig-faced Pox, Kiran Shah as Blunder, Annabelle Lanyon as the fairy Oona, and top character actor Robert Picardo (another performer you won't recognize) as a hungry witch named Meg Mucklebones. Curry is the true M.V.P. of the production, looming over all with a performance of pure seductive evil.
Available in two cuts: the butchered North American release, running an hour and a half with a Tangerine Dream soundtrack, and the richer European release / directors' cut that runs approximately 24 minutes longer, and boasting a majestic Jerry Goldsmith score.
Although it's been said that kids might dig this one, it is true that this is more of a "fairy tale for adults", with elements too intense and sinister for the youngest of your family.
If you've enjoyed other 1980s fantasy features, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.
Seven out of 10.
Since "Legend" is directed by master stylist Ridley Scott, it's not surprising that it looks great, with production design by Assheton Gorton and cinematography by Alex Thomson. Written by William Hjortsberg (whose other credits include 'The Georgia Peaches', "Thunder and Lightning", and "Angel Heart"), it does dawdle somewhat at times, and it becomes clear that it doesn't really contain a lot of story. Still, it's a reasonably engaging adventure that also benefits from a truly stifling atmosphere at times, and characters that are generally amiable without being fleshed out very much.
The special effects are well executed, with makeup effects expert Rob Bottin ("The Howling", "The Thing", and "Total Recall") doing some extremely impressive work, especially the incredible visage that he and crew create for Curry. You certainly don't recognize the actor at all.
The actors are appealingly sincere, with Cruise and Sara representing characters of innocence. In addition to Bennent, Barty, and Hubbert, we have Alice Playten as a nasty goblin named Blix, Peter O'Farrell as pig-faced Pox, Kiran Shah as Blunder, Annabelle Lanyon as the fairy Oona, and top character actor Robert Picardo (another performer you won't recognize) as a hungry witch named Meg Mucklebones. Curry is the true M.V.P. of the production, looming over all with a performance of pure seductive evil.
Available in two cuts: the butchered North American release, running an hour and a half with a Tangerine Dream soundtrack, and the richer European release / directors' cut that runs approximately 24 minutes longer, and boasting a majestic Jerry Goldsmith score.
Although it's been said that kids might dig this one, it is true that this is more of a "fairy tale for adults", with elements too intense and sinister for the youngest of your family.
If you've enjoyed other 1980s fantasy features, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.
Seven out of 10.