Legend [Blu-ray] [1985]

The Dark Lord, Darkness plots to descend the world into perpetual night by killing the last of the unicorns. Jack and his forest-dwelling friends set out to save the world and rescue Princess Lili from his clutches before he seduces her into carrying out his evil bidding.Released theatrically in 1985, Ridley Scott's first cut of Legend, before it hit cinemas ran at 125 minutes in length before he decided minor plot points could be trimmed, thus cutting it down to 113 minutes. After a test audience screening led him to believe that the audience had to work too much to be entertained, another 20 minutes was then cut. The UK would eventually receive a 95-minute version, with the U. S. receiving an 89-minute one. He and Universal delayed the North American theatrical release until 1986 so that Jerry Goldsmith's score could be replaced with music by Tangerine Dream, Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, and Bryan Ferry. The many cuts it received proved to be something that would come to its detriment following the negative critical reception it received, as well as its commercial failure at the box office. It wasn't until fourteen years later that Universal unearthed an answer print of the 113-minute preview cut with Jerry Goldsmith's score. This would lead to it eventually being released on DVD, and later on BluRay for Universal's "Ultimate Edition". Needless to say, for all the flaws that it has, The Ultimate Edition version as it exists, proves to be a more overall rewarding excursion into the realm of fantasy than what cinemas goers got in 1985.Yes, it goes without saying that it's an overly simplistic narrative, which is a hark back to the child-like simplicity of fairy tale folklore makes for little in the way of substance. Lord of the Rings it is not, but what it lacks in creative storytelling, Scott makes up for in dazzling world-building. To say that Legend is a visual feast for the eye, as well as the ear would be underselling it. Imagine opening a fairy-tale pop-up book, and then having it transferred to celluloid, and you might have some grasp of the aesthetic wonder that Scott created. Yes, it might be said, that for all its visual majesty, he let a plot of substance take a back seat to visual splendor. However, it's a visually captivating world that he creates even at the expense of its hollow protagonists. But then one might argue that's what Scott was going for. Fairy tales have never been one for character development or any semblance of subtle nuance. And it's in adherence to this schematic trope that he so readily sticks to.For all of the visual wonderment that Legend has in abundance from the ethereal bewitchment of the forest landscape, to the dingy cavernous dungeons, as well as the gothic shadowiness of Darkness's inner sanctum. A testament to Assheton Gorton's glorious set design. It does feel more compacted and confined as if they exist as illustrations in a fairy tale book. Lacking the overall epic quality of Peter Jackson's Rings trilogy. Although perhaps that was what Scott was aiming for.It might be argued that in casting his two leads, he lets pleasing aesthetics in regard at least to Tom Cruise outweigh any ideal acting choice. He encompasses the look of the dashing, Prince Charming prototype, resembling the look of someone emerging from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda. Mia Sara, while radiant in her beauty, fares better bringing some spirited charm, as well as naivety to Lily. A young lady, who has it is presumed within the confines of her royal existence, knowing little of the fantastical outside world that lies behind castle walls. It's Tim Curry who makes for an ominous, and commanding presence as Darkness who ultimately owns every scene he is in. Completely unrecognizable under layers of prosthetics, his demonic countenance was and still is a testament to make-up artist Rob Butlin's eye-popping make-up.Legend, however, may prove to be too antiquated and heavy going for some audiences, as it lacks the more crowd-pleasing contemporary fun, cheesiness and action spectacle of movies of a similar vein. Whether it be Willow or The Star Wars trilogy which did adopt a sword and sorcery sensibility. However, for those who are able to embrace it, it's fairly engrossing in spite of what shortcomings it may have in regard to its undemanding plotting. Chock full of robust colorful characters, whether they be good or evil. Even if it does begin to outstay it's welcome in the final reel. Scott's Director's cut, although not fully achieving the status of the masterpiece that we hoped it might. It still makes for something of an awe-inspiring visual feast.

I'll start off this review by saying that I have always loved this movie. It is one of those many films that I grew up with and loved. This is a definite 80's classic and one of my all time favourite cult movies. There is only one downside to this DVD, which is that it is not the version I grew up with. When I got a copy of this, I was surprised and disappointed to find it is not the same as I remembered; some of the scenes were different, most notably the opening scene, when this movie's main antagonist is introduced. But the biggest difference is the soundtrack. At first, I believed that Ridley Scott had done a George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, and edited this movie. But a little research across the internet proved my assumption to be quite wrong. Truthfully, there are five different versions, all with different running times. This is among those four that features the soundtrack performed by Jerry Goldsmith. The version I grew up with features the soundtrack performed by Tangerine Dream. Of course, we all have our own opinions and persona preferences, but I much prefer the version I grew up with. I suppose nostalgia plays some contribution to my personal opinion, but I also personally feel that Tangerine Dream's soundtrack blends in more well than Jerry Goldsmith's. Whereas Jerry Goldsmith's score gives the film a magical, fairytale feel, Tangerine Dream's gives the film a magical, fantasy feel, as well more depth. I just feel it works a lot more well than Jerry Goldsmith's. To me, Legend is not complete without the classic song, "Loved by the Sun", played during the final scene. But again, that's my personal opinion. Hopefully they'll somehow release the Tangerine Dream version on DVD, here in the UK? Aside from that disappointment, I consider this to be a great film. Here's the plot.Darkness (played by Tim Curry) resides in his dark lair and plans to shroud the world in eternal darkness, so he can roam the lands freely. In order to do that, the two unicorns must be slaughtered and their horns delivered to him. It's not clear what he is exactly.As a child, I assumed he was the devil, really because his appearance is the common depiction of the prince of darkness. Now, I'm not too sure what he is. Is he the devil's son or just A devil?Anyway, Darkness sends his goblin servant, Blix (played by Alice Playten), out on a quest to deliver to him, the horns of the unicorns, as well as to destroy them. I won't say TOO much of the plot, but Blix injures one of the unicorns and takes its horn and it's this time when the world is shrouded in ice and darkness. A princess named Lili (played by Mia Sara) had unknowingly led the goblins (Blix had two companions) to the unicorns, when her lover, Jack (played by Tom Cruise), a young man who lives in the magical forest, took Lili to see the unicorns as a romantic treat.Jack and Lili are separated after this and Lili learns of the goblins and their actions. Unfortunately, she is captured by them, along with the unicorns. Jack, in the meantime, whilst searching for Lili, meets a forest elf named Honeythorn Gump (played by David Bennent, but voiced by Alice Playten) and his companions, Brown Tom, Screwball and the fairy, Oona. Together, they embark on a quest to rescue Lili and the unicorns, defeat Darkness and retrieve the unicorn horn and restore the world to its former state.There are several positive things I have to say about this movie. Ridley Scott did an excellent job in capturing the magic in my opinion, and to me, fantasy films featuring mythical creatures, such as elves, goblins, etc, require that magic. The characters were great and the appearance of some really captured that magic, such as Gump's appearance. Other examples include the usage of glitter over some of the mythical characters. The settings really captured that magic too, such as the forest, that features a usage of fairy dust in the air. Even Darkness' fortress captured it too, what with the floor shrouded in thick mist. Of course, this takes it down to a far lower level.The characters were great, such as the antagonists - Darkness, Blix and Meg Mucklebones, primarily - as well as the protagonists. Then there is the story. This truly is a fantastic fantasy film, but again, I'm just disappointed that this doesn't feature the Tangerine Dream soundtrack. Again, I hope they do release that film some day.