The diner, as always, is a dive in the desert.
There’s always a broad slice of humanity in it.
And then these mismatched folks — young and old,
rich and poor, face real terror and must band together to survive.
Because here come the zombies. Or vampires. Or vampire bikers.
But in “Legion,” the assaulting hordes are demons
and angels from heaven. And these angels and their spawn aren’t taking
any prisoners. God’s given up on the human race and is ready to wipe us
out. Again.
Profane, profanely silly and blasphemous to beat the
band, “Legion” begins well, then plunges into the abyss of tedium. For
a few minutes the most preposterous movie of the
cast and crew recognize it as preposterous and play along. Actors gape
in terror and awe as the skies darken and the Biblical Apocalypse
begins, with bugs and people possessed by angels converging on the
And then the angel Michael – played by
gun shop and stealing an LAPD patrol car. He’s locked and loaded. And
he’s on humanity’s side.
“It’s started. There isn’t much time.”
Not that this outpost of humanity trusts Mr. Harbinger of Doom.
“Let me see them teeth!” the grizzled diner-owner (Quaid) demands.
Michael grins.
“No shark teeth, Pop!” the owner’s son, named Jeep (
It’s all about fending off the forces of The Lord
long enough to give humanity a little hope. It’s about the prophetic
role of the pregnant waitress, Charlie (TV actress
The acting settles into “indifferent” and the feeble
action beats are stretched so far apart that you almost forget the
“Zulu” / “Assault on Precinct 13” / “From Dusk Till Dawn” template at
work here. Visual effects guy turned director
crises of the various characters. The best jolt comes so early that the
fact that no fresh jolt is attempted for the middle hour of the film
makes it all the more boring.
Here’s’ my prophecy: Stewart’s next film, “Priest,”
is about a warrior priest also played by Bettany. Both of them will be
disowning “Legion” by then.
Legion
1 star (out of 4)
Cast:
Director:
Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Industry rating: R for strong bloody violence, and language
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(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
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