January 22, 2010 Legion
Studio: Sony Pictures Rating: R for strong bloody violence, and language.
In a remote diner named Paradise Falls on the edge of the mojave desert the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
That's the premise of "Legion."
Paul Bettany stars as the archangel Michael. God has given him a job that will mean the end of humanity. But Michael decides humans are worth saving, so he loses his wings and sets out to protect our only hope.
Meanwhile, family, workers and strangers gather at the diner where mysterious things are happening.
Michael shows up soon after a series of horrific events, but the message he's carrying doesn't make the diner's inhabitants feel any better. Something even worse is coming to finish God's work.
"Legion" feels like a mishmash of gun battles and the Book of Revelations. I enjoyed some of action and special effects but the story doesn't carry the day.
For example, it's never explained what is so special about the woman and child Michael has given up everything to protect. And the script doesn't flesh out the characters very well. They feel more like simple mechanisms to move from one scene to the next.
And for a tale filled with biblical overtones and violence it is much more talky than I expected. Unfortunately, the filmmakers fall into the trap of showcasing just about every supporting character right before a pivotal scene that decides their fate. After a while it gets to be more than a little coincidental.
Add in some lazy writing and an ending that fails to answer many of the film's questions and you're left with a jumbled mess that really doesn't satisfy.
On my rating scale, "Legion" earns a SINGLE.
PRIME PICKS THE BIG BANG THEORY Tonight at 7:30 PM The Zarnecki Incursion
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January 22, 2010
