Legion: Movie Review
By Kara Stanford-Jones
Legion is the latest post-apocalyptic film to hit the market, and it stars Paul Bettany in an unconventional yet angelic role. The movie marks the first major release for writer/director Scott Stewart, who’s been on the visual effects side of filmmaking for years, but is now working on bringing his own projects to life. Legion is a Christian-themed movie, with a splash of zombie-horror, Western ideals, and a whole lot of action.
The Players:
- Director: Scott Stewart
- Writers: Peter Schink and Scott Stewart
- Cast: Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Doug Jones, Kate Walsh
- Cinematography: John Lindley
- Music: John Frizzell
The Plot:
When God grows tired of humans and their disobedience, he sends the Archangel Michael (Bettany) to wipe them off the face of the earth. More specifically he needs to kill the one child that can stop God’s wrath and save mankind. The only problem is that child hasn’t been born yet, and the mother is a waitress at a small diner in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Michael defies God’s Will and decides to save the child, which turns the restaurant into a war zone between heaven and earth. He will have to combat an entire legion of angels led by the heavily favored, Gabriel.
The Good:
- Entertaining: The film has plenty of action but it wasn’t filled with over the top gore. There was a decent amount of entertainment value within the characters and their interactions with one another outside of the violence.
- The Dumb Moments: There is nothing more annoying than watching a girl run out into a sea of zombies only to meet her maker. The writers did a pretty good job of integrating the characters dumb actions with the story. Although it was clearly to create conflict, the purpose played out very well.
The Bad:
- You Got The Guns Where?: Paul Bettany starts the movie on a mission to get guns, so he walks into a closed store and grabs a bunch. How does he know that this particular place has the goods? Who knows? It seemed like the shop owner wasn’t even aware that there was enough ammo to arm a small militia in the back room. Check that off things to explain to the audience.
- The Acting: There were moments, flashes even, where the acting of the two main characters, Charlie and Jeep (Black), was some of the worse I’d ever seen. And even the ridiculously talented Charles S. Dutton found himself muttering in a bad southern accent.
- The Names: This may be a little nit-picky, but the name Jeep is lame. Obviously the writers were trying to get creative, but that one was just a little too much. Every time the waitress Charlie screamed his name it sounded like, “Cheep! Cheep! Cheeeep!”
- Defies Logic: Without giving too much away there are several issues with Charlie and all things related to her baby. First of all, a woman that is eight months pregnant will not be as agile as she is. Two, she smokes (enough said). Three, she has the superhuman ability of giving birth in a minute. Apparently, the key to easy childbirth is Paul Bettany coaxing you along. Finally, not only can she pop that thing out like a torpedo, but she is up and running around just minutes after without any sort of medical care or anesthesia. One can only suspend belief up to a certain point.
- Miscasting: This problem is very closely related to the bad acting. A few of the casting choices were not as good as they could have been. Kate Walsh was irritating and not nearly old enough to have a teenage daughter. There were a few issues with Dennis Quaid as well, which is unfortunate considering his acting background.
Overall:
Surprisingly, this movie was actually enjoyable, and is a good popcorn flick to see over the weekend. The plot and parts of the film are certainly flawed, but all in all it was still entertaining, and that’s what you’re paying for.
Rating: 6/10
Legion hits theaters on January 22, 2010
Photo Gallery:
Trailer:
Friday, January 22, 2010 6:25AM
I like this movie a lot and it good
Friday, January 22, 2010 4:13PM
Good to see a review. And Kate Walsh is easily old enough to have a 20 year old she is 42..Too bad there's some bad acting because there are some great actors in it.
Friday, January 22, 2010 7:57PM
me no like movie and it bad
Friday, January 22, 2010 1:29PM
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Friday, January 22, 2010 11:42PM
grimlok like movie
Saturday, January 23, 2010 2:16AM
Loved seeing Lucas Black! Thought it was a very good movie and very entertaining….loved it, will recommend to my friends…Dennis Quaid was ok, thought the review was a bit harsh on him..
Saturday, January 23, 2010 8:38AM
The teen girl was hot. The gangsta-dad was cool and thats all I really liked.
Saturday, January 23, 2010 6:23PM
Seen this movie last night and i rather enjoyed it…The reviews up above it said:
. Some woman who give bIrth are that agile..Remember the Indian's. They gave birth and were out planting and working in the villiage that very evening…DUHHHHHHH…
Yes sad but true some woman who are pregnant do smoke (bad choice to do so, but true).
And about the ( superhuman ability of giving birth in a minute ) the Angel "Michael" forseen what was going to happen it was written,planned, he knew but she did not. That is why he made that comment, he knoew.. Was I the ONLY one who caught that??? Duhhhhh, again..
Saturday, January 23, 2010 6:23PM
And when i had my 3rd daughter i was in labor for only 3-4 hrs and she did shoot out. The Doc was almost to late getting tothe room. My daughter alomost fell on the floor if the doc wouldn;t have came in at the very last moment..(TRUTH)
And i had NO anesthesia when giving birth to my 4 children..And 1 of my babies was almost a 10lb baby. With 3 of my children i was up and walking around that same day..And i am sure there are MANY MANY woman out here like that..
But i had to make truth to some of the "THE BAD" reviews. There is truth in alot of the Movie..
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:42PM
In case you all missed it, the name Legion is what satan's followers call themselves when responding to Christ in the Bible. Get it? Lucifer is a Liar. But he is god to his followers. Get it? Lucifer
is starting the Final Battle. michael, with a small "m" repents. His death confirms him being forgiven by God, with the big"G". Great movie.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 12:43PM
Legion was what one man called himself when possessed by several demons, and whom they did not want Jesus to ban them to the eternal abyss of hell. They were scared of Jesus (Gospel of Matthew, Mark, OR Luke). Lucifer is not starting the final battle; Michael nor Gabriel would fall under the temptation of the devil to do his work. In the movie, Michael says that it was his job, appointed by God, to kill the baby. He disagrees with God's orders because he believes that God has lost his own way. Michael actually states in the movie that he is doing what God NEEDS him to do and not what he WANTS him to do. He believed his actions were the right thing to do. You do not repent for something you believe in.The only repenting he might have done would be for not being able to stop Gabriel. The return of Michael back to Earth is to show God's renewed faith in humankind.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 8:53AM
THe film is based on a very stupid premise: That God in his infinite wisdom could be misguided. You are supposed to assume someone created(Michael ) could know more than his creator who is all-seeing (sees all sides of the argument) and all-knowing (knows the motives and premises of all the players).
We are supposed to believe he would destroy us by necessarily sending an army of angels, he doesnt have to, all he has to do is reduce his involvement in our affairs. He can simply allow us to destroy ourselves, no need to send angels, we are doing a fine job already
Friday, February 5, 2010 5:28AM
This is a really bad movie, they never should have made it.
Saturday, February 13, 2010 6:25PM
Too deep man, just eat the popcorn and enjoy the flick!
Saturday, February 13, 2010 8:30PM
utter garbage
Sunday, February 21, 2010 1:18PM
Felt that the movie was blasphemous…
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 7:58PM
HENCE YOU GO BACK TO …
In case you all missed it, the name Legion is what satan's followers call themselves when responding to Christ in the Bible. Get it? Lucifer is a Liar. But he is god to his followers. Get it? Lucifer
is starting the Final Battle. michael, with a small "m" repents. His death confirms him being forgiven by God, with the big"G". Great movie.
Monday, March 1, 2010 1:39AM
first of all, how can a child save the world from God’s wrath????
secondly,didn’t God promise noah that he wouldnt ever again send a flood to destroy the Earth. but now ,he sends a flood of angels?????
Monday, March 1, 2010 9:46AM
i think that the movie has excelled in many fields.
just bcos the story talks of things one cant comprehend it doesn't mean that the movie is bad.
this is like any other movie for eg: percy jackson and……………………the movie portrays that greek mythology is real and that zeus is the king of gods. it shows that there are different gods for diff. things.this is in contrast with the common christian belief.
y take the filim seriously? after all, its just a filim.what evil has ever come from watchin a filim?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 7:50AM
I just started watching the movie and after the opening seen I am already disliking it. Like why would Michael the archangel disobey God? He is behaving like Lucifer. Then when the cop turns into something else it is clearly a demon not one of God's messengers. A devil worshiper made this movie. I will watch the rest since I spent my bandwith on it but me no likey already.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:49PM
Again, they got my attention with trailer. Luckely, I didn't spend any money on watching the movie, I would be so sorry. I downloaded it of the Internet, and I regret the time spending watching it. Very boring, predictable, bad directing… 2/10
Saturday, March 27, 2010 1:20PM
whats w/ all the negatives? y do u even bother commenting on it if ur just gonna say bad things? keep it to ur selves… cut the directors and producers some slack! they worked hard for this film… not theyre fault u didnt liked it…..and yes its a good film…films are supposed to be creativity! NOT FACTS OR OPINION! the reason they make films is to entertain! s2pid peoples!….
Monday, March 29, 2010 5:25AM
This Movie was terrible it had no plot you just sat there thinking what the hell is going on and why are they doing this it just made absolutly no sence do not waste your hard earned money to go watch it you will be dissapointed.
Sunday, April 11, 2010 3:09AM
Really this movie is bad and while I do agree movies are made for interteiment this one was just to express the author's (satanist) opinion on religion for which I will say keep it to yourself. 3/10
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:50AM
The movie was enjoyable, but too close to reality, and too far off in terms of biblical knowledge. If Michael was a warrior, and angel, that's fine. What about Christ? If we're looking at the bible, the whole battle they fought was already won, or will be won. The author obviously tried to rewrite, leaving room for the option that God got tired of humans and decided to exterminate them. If you're going to take the bible and try to make it legit, at least follow through. They left out the main point…Christ. It was enjoyable as an action film, but just lame in premise.
Friday, May 21, 2010 3:43PM
Even though I haven’t seen this movie and I didn’t intend to from the get go! My brother told me about it and what I heard about it made my skin crawl!! This person probably is an atheist and very ignorant and also psycho. I wrote something worse elsewhere but lucky it got lost!! Anyway I don’t care if they are way off base its what they put! 1: “GOD”S ANGELS POSSESSING PEOPLE!!!”" C’mon!! They would not and can’t even they protect people and send messages to us from GOD the only ones that could possess us are the they demons if God allows it and if we ourselves open a door to them and mess around with all this demonic garbage and all types of witchcraft! and if we don’t have the HOLY GHOST. THESE DEMONS are the “FALLEN ANGELS” the third of the angels and LUCIFER AKA SATAN that got thrown down from heaven by GOD AND MICHAEL when there was a war in heaven; before God finished creating the earth! And Michael might also be the one to help get rid of Satan and the demons at the end of the 1,000 year reign of the new heavens and earth and its gonna happen people! Don’t take my word for it read the Bible and educate yourselves! And don’t go by anything or what the preacher’s and other’s teach that goes agains the word of God. That’s why its so important to read the Bible so you won’t be decieved!! About Gabriel’s role: was to tell Mary she was going to have Jesus and might be the one that is going to sound the trumpet that is told in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, and Revelation. The person who made this movie needs Jesus otherwise the Antichrist is going to have him on a leash!! And if he’s the one that made the Prophecy and was in my own home town when they made it I don’t care! If I knew then what I knew now I would have talked to that guy and tried to put some sense into that crazy and warped mind of his!!
Friday, June 4, 2010 10:06AM
First this movie is no where close to being a "Christian Themed" movie. As previous commenters said Christ is not mentioned nor the center of it and it offends Christianity at best. Besides the obvious lack theological backing what also made this movie really bad was it's inconsistency within the plot. It seems like alot of guys just got around and mention things they thought would be good. How did any of them really make it out of films school. What's worst that good actors like Charles S. Dutton, Paul Bettany, and Kevin Durand would sign on to this crap. AND NO DENNIS Quaid is not a good actor he has gone down hill since acting in that global warming fantasy film called The Day After Tomorrow. Action was minimal, and all the scary thrilling moments are in the trailer. After it all you have a movie that offends, that has no plot, and believablity beyond all insanity. How you call this movie entertaining is beyond me.
Friday, June 4, 2010 9:45PM
we always think that heaven is like old kingdoms….angels with old weapons….and so on… why dnt they can hav disclosed weapons….. disclosed ways…as bible says….no eyes have ever seen wht he is keeping for us!!!!!! their no point in fighting each other i meant among us , we peopl…. does any thing happend to you as u wish???
Saturday, June 5, 2010 4:43AM
Me Also Like Movie also like movie.
Saturday, June 12, 2010 8:26PM
I have a vision to bring the truth of God’s Word to the big screen. Movies like “Passion of the Christ’ and the “the Bood of Eli’ are catalyst for what the Lord wants to do in entertainment. This movie was…jus…disturbing to say the least considering the aforementioned
Friday, July 16, 2010 3:33AM
I just saw the movie, it was nice to watch, Im not crazy about the movie, but it was fun.
I cant belive how everybody is making critics about the story argumenting the coments with religion (an other story)
Saturday, August 28, 2010 5:23AM
the movie was not enjoyable at all. it was so confusing!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 11:07PM
The movie is neither an accurate nor a false interpretation of the End of Days, which in any case is nothing more than a myth capable of being interpreted anyway a person should like. How does anyone know what angels are capable of? Cut the producer some slack on that aspect. What one should be doing is analysing the story in terms of substance, coherence, believability and entertatinment value,
Substance: it is a decent portrayal of persons in jeopardy, cut off and surrounded. Other movies that do this far better are Feast and Precinct 13 for starters.
Coherence: Too much is dependent upon the character of Michael to provide information through narration. He tells us the baby is important, humanity is in jeopardy, angels not demons. There are better ways to do this, for example through discovery and revelation, but apparently the director doesn't trust his audience to figure these things out for themselves.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 11:08PM
Believability: It is not really clear to me that if Michael can manifest and Gabriel can manifest why the legion of other angels can't. Maybe it is that possessing humans they can coincidentally eliminate a few more of the pesky buggers that way. When we see the horde of angels appearing to number in the thousands, why do the besiegers appear to number in the hundreds? Isn't there a priority being assigned here? The rest of the diners are way too accepting of an angel in their midst, even one of the fallen variety. Does anybody even appear in awe of this guy? It would seem to me that if Michael is a perfect being then he should never miss with a weapon and that he uses a great many bullets when one per victim ought to be his quota. Lucas Black as a modern day Joseph is way too complacent and agreeable. Why he doesn't just lay into his skank girlfriend who is not really his girlfriend but someone he is unconditionally devoted to- give us a break here! Jeep ( and that really is a lame choice for a character name ) really needs to grow a pair much earlier on than he does.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 11:09PM
Entertainment: Grannies on the ceiling, seen it before. Pointy teeth that too. Upside down guy exploding, big deal. Little demon kid, yeah, seen that before too. Lots and lots of guns, yeah, seen that before too. What has the director done that was better in any way than what's already been done? Can''t think of a single thing.
Suggestions: Depict an angel ( even a fallen angel ) with superhuman, supernatural powers. I think the movie missed this point badly. Michael could have been out there slaughtering zombies like a threshing machine. That would have been believable and awesome.
Change Jeep to any other name. Cast somebody with range to play the part and give him some angst to work off besides "I have nightmares and I'm worried'.
Stay away from the god damned cliches.
If you are going to produce a movie with the apocalypse as its theme, read the book first and understand what the conflicts and expectations are. That way if you piss people off at least you'll have an excuse.
Sunday, September 26, 2010 9:01PM
Hey, what’s with all the ‘this movie is crap’ comments? If I say so myself, this is quite the interesting movie. Sure, sometimes I wondered what the hell was going on, but I enjoyed it! The effects were great, and the thought of God even making mistakes and losing his way really makes you think (par example, if we’re all made in God’s image, then he’s bound to make mistakes since we ALL do on a regular basis. That’s one of the many questions I faced when I thought deeply on the matter). The last I checked, thinking deeply is good for all of us at some point. Also, for all of the Christans out there, if you find that you hate the idea of God making mistakes or losing his way, then the answer is simple: DON’T WATCH THE MOVIE!
Oh yeah, for all of those people who are saying this movie has no plot and is terrible then you’ve obviously haven’t seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Watch that, then watch Legion again. I’m sure that this movie makes a lot more sense then RHPS does!
Saturday, November 13, 2010 7:50PM
"Passion of the Christ" is, so Shell says, the catalyst for what the Lord wants in entertainment.
Give me a break. Its star/producer is miles from sainthood. "Legion" may be a mass of confusion, but it was fascinating and, unlike the 'Passion' not ass deep in hypocrisy.
Sunday, November 14, 2010 1:37AM
I just watched this movie and believe it has gotten harsh reactions possibly because many people don't understand it. It is definately a "thinker" movie where you have to put pieces of the puzzle together. The following summary of the plot is just my opinion, but urge you to watch it again if you disagree.
It isn't my belief that God ever had a part in the apocolypse and turning angels in to zombie demons that possess humans, that is the work of the devil. I believe it was all the direct work of Lucifer. Jerry P hit on this on an earlier post when he explains the name of the movie, Legion, which would directly link everything to satan.
Remember Granny in the diner ? She specifically told Charlie her child would burn, thus referencing hell. When granny died, everyone remarked on how warm (hot) she was, again referencing something sent from hell.
The way I interpret this movie is basically that Lucifer was trying to bring an end to mankind. In a nutshell, I believe he decieved God's archangels in one way or another and possibly imprisoned Michael at one point because Michael saw through the deception at some point that we obviosuly do not see in the movie. This is why we see Michael removing the shackle from around his neck at the beginning. I believe he removes his wings to be inconspicuous and not cause alarm as he heads to the diner.
Meanwhile, Gabriel is trying to do what he feels is God's work because he didd fall in to the deception that God would want such a thing done. The key factor to this is at the end of the movie when Michael comes back from heaven. He easily defeats Gabriel and spares his life. He also whispers to Gabriel " you have failed Him". I believe this means Gabriel failed God in the fact that he succumbed to Lucifers deception and lost faith in His (Gods) work and thus be taken in to believing God would try to end all that He created. When he says "you have failed Him" , I do not believe it means Gabriel failed God in not being able to follow His wishes, which I am betting most people took it as.
The only direct work from God in this movie comes when he sends Michael back from heaven at the end to save Jeep and Charlie. This is the only intervention God has in this movie when it seems that all hope is gone for Jeep and Charlie.
I at first felt that the producer must also be an atheist to some extent. However, after pondering this and replaying it back in my head a little bit, I firmly believe that this is very much a faith based film. Not only for the characters having to keep faith in God but for God's archangels as well.
Thursday, December 30, 2010 8:27AM
[...] Legion: Movie Review [...]
Monday, February 14, 2011 8:00PM
i watched the movie just now and i really thought the controversy of the mother with the born and unborn baby was refreshing… this is about as prolife as you can get in a movie. so aside from the tangent from anything revelations predicts, i was content to know that when the mother realized what was inside of her, she moved to protect the life with all of her strength… it would have been nice to add a bit of marriage perhaps michael being the pastor… but i guess you cant have it all… which is also great, because i realize all viewers are not of the same faith as me and there is enough in the storyline for both sides to say its hors hit
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 1:40AM
the movie is great .. you really don't understand the movie. you all always criticized the movie.
for me it help for us to make a change! job well done.