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Legend (Ultimate Edition)

Legend (Ultimate Edition)

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: finally!
Review: jerry goldsmith is widely considered to be one of the best creators of movie music alive. he once gave an interview where he said that the score for 'Legend' was his favorite thing he'd ever written. when this movie was released, however, the people at the studio decided that "the kids" just wouldn't get it, so they replaced it with a pop-y bit from tangerine dream. furthermore, scenes were cut, and the action was speeded up so that the movie could be marketed to a younger crowd. problem solved: this is a 2 disc set so you can compare and contrast the two versions: one with jerry goldsmith's score restored and finally bringing the "international" cut to the u.s., the other being the u.s. theatrical cut. this movie is incredible, but certainly not for everyone. the early tom cruise is fun to watch, tim curry is his usual over-the-top self, and mia sara is quite attractive as the princess(?) lilly. at its heart, this is a good vs. evil quest film, with the usual fantasy trappings of that sort used to wonderful effect. the movie is visually stunning, but it relies on more archtypical characters rather than character development. just because it has unicorns, fairies, goblins, swords, magic, etc., does not make this a children's film. i heartily recommend this one to any fan of sheer eye candy, fantasy, or fairy tales.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Jerry Goldsmith's score is absolutely the best
Review: I have been so lucky to see both cuts (Scott's & the Studio's), I have to admit that although Scott's is better, it's still too much style over substance (yes , I think even fairy-tale movies do have to have more substance than good versus evil). But, the fact that Universal has chosen to release a Collector's Edition witch BOTH versions (a very, very wise move) makes me very glad. I can't wait to see the extra's on it, and best of all to see it and hear it better than ever before.

Responsible for my admiration for the film is the beautiful production, set-pieces camerawork, make-up (you can't believe it's Tim Curry) and last but most certainly NOT least, the magnificent score provided by Mr. Jerry Goldsmith. The score alone makes repeated viewings worthwile. The music in itself is good (there is a terrific "expanded" Silva-screen release), that you thank the CD player for it's "repeat" button.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A dreamy, surreal fairy tale...
Review: The plot of LEGEND is your basic fairy tale, where the wood child Jack, protector of the forest, loves the fair maiden Lily. One day, he takes her to see the two unicorns, the holiest of animals, keepers of light and goodness. As long as they live, evil can never prevail. Unbeknownst to Jack, evil trolls follow him to the secret place of the unicorns, and they manage to kill one and eventually capture Lily and the other unicorn. Now Jack must rescue both, or darkness will cover the world forever. The story is basic, and not completely fleshed out in terms of plot or coherence, but the story is not meant to be the reason to see LEGEND; the story tends to be the prop that the director weaves his vivid dreamlike scenes around. Ridley Scott gives the film a fairy, surreal quality with the airy lushness of the forest contrasting jarringly and quite effectively with the despair and gloom of the scenes in the lair of evil. The picture succeeds with the impression of being at once both primal and otherworldly. Tom Cruise does a good job of portraying our young hero, Jack, but the figure that will keep you mesmerized on screen is Tim Curry, who portrays the Lord of Evil. He gives a nuanced performance that walks the fine lines of camp and melodrama without ever falling prey to either. The rest of the cast is solid, and the forest fairies who are Jack's allies get in some great one liners. If you are willing to sit back and get lost in a world of magic, heroism, lushness, and basic good vs. evil, then LEGEND is the movie for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the better fantasy films out there- finally on DVD
Review: This is one of those films you watch as a kid and fall in love with. I was 10 when this came out, and though I didn't see it in the theater, I had HBO, which meant it would come on 50 times a months for 6 months- a good thing in this case. They were making a lot of fantasy films at that time, and in my opinion some of the best movies ever made came from that time- Krull, Dragonslayer, Labyrinth, Neverending Story, Flash Gordon, etc. are all classics to me. Legend is right up there at the top. I liked the story, the characters, and the music (which fit the film perfectly), but what stole the show to me were the sets. Ridley Scott shot a just plain gorgeous films here; I still think all the forest/unicorn scenes in the beginning are some of the best shot scenes I've ever watched. All the actors involved are great, but Tim Curry is perfection in his role as Darkness- I can just see him having so much fun with that part.

All in all a great film for any age- hopefully this DVD has the theatrical and director's cut, which is very hard to find...enjoy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The ultimate fairy tale.
Review: Legend has, since its release in 1985, been one of my favorite movies!

This is one of those movies where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

The visuals is plain astounding.

Everybody acts top-notch (I still think this is Cruise's to date best film!).

The music fits perfectly with the film.

and

The make-up, four words: Tim Curry as Darkness!

For those of us that have been waiting to see this movie with Goldsmith's score, we now have the possibility!

So, all we can do now is wait for the 21st of November, it's gonna be a loooong wait.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Cool Movie
Review: In my opinion, Ridley Scott had a definite period of movie success. In this period of time, Scott made three films that have defined the way that we look at Science Fiction and Fantasy. The first was Alien, the second was Blade Runner, and the third was Legend. I am always surprised to find out that hardly anyone that I know has seen or heard of Legend. It is a movie set in a fantastic land of dwarves,fairies, and unicorns. Not all is peaceful and beautiful though. Underneath the land of beauty there is a land of darkness where a menacing devil, with the biggest horns that I have ever seen on a devil in the movies, lurkes. He has goblins in his service whose mission is to kill the unicorns and let the darkness reign on the planet. Don't be deceived by the fact that Tom Cruise is in the movie. He plays his part just fine. If you like The Hobbit this movie is definitely for you. If you like fantastic movies with romance, suspense, terror, and beauty then this movie is for you. I love the films of Terry Gilliam and of Tim Burton. If you like these directors then definitely check out Legend.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Legend -
Review: LEGEND has got to be one of the most underrated films I have ever known. Unfortunately, American audiences simply do not appreciate fantasy films when they don't contain singing munchkins or Disneyfied cartoons; they shy away from European style dark-toned fairy tales. There are very few films in all of cinematic history that are as visually sumptuous as this incredible Ridley Scott film. It possesses some of the most incredible art design, for both costumes and sets, that are so complete, detailed and timeless, that you completely believe that this is a seperate and real world. Plus, the makeup effects for Darkness have got to be the closest personification to Evil/Devil you will ever witness; not to mention the fine acting (and voice) of the superb Tim Curry which brings it to horrifying life. The score by Tangerine Dream is nothing short of sublime, similar to Enigma, but without the techno-like percussion. Although Scott does a fine job of fashioning a classic storyline about the battle between good and evil, albeit a bit cliched, you never feel like you know enough about the characters to care for them. They just plop right in from nowhere and we are to take for granted that the 2 leads are desperately in love; there simply is no backstory, and the acting by Cruise is a tad weak. The attempts at comic relief by the goblins/elves is over the top and clashes badly with the more predominant, and better working, dark tone of the film. And the bad pop song that ends the film makes you want to cringe as it is so completely anachronistic and saccharine. The film leaves an opening for a sequel, which I would love to see, given the advances in Visual FX, but only if Scott returned, with a stronger, character driven script, the same art director, and Tim Curry(a must!). However, Cruise's outrageous salary would, no doubt, prohibit it from production. This special edition disc allows one to view the European version, which is longer (and therefore explains the plot holes and visual gaps left by the battered American release), and replaces the original score of the film, while also removing the horrid, horrid pop song everything-is-nice-again-in-paradise- upbeat-hollywood ending. The behind the scenes stuff and commentary is also very enlightening and joyful to any fan of this movie. I highly, highly recommend this film to those who enjoy fantasy, beautiful art direction/cinematography, and dark fairy tales. I'd give it 10 stars if I could, and the pristine DVD conversion with DTS sound is nothing short of absolutely phenomenal. A definite MUST HAVE in any DVD collection.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Wonderful tale...
Review: Legend is a classic tale of good versus evil. Tim Curry is simply amazing as the Devil, who is determined to cast the world in darkness by capturing the last unicorn's horn. Jack (Cruise) and Lily are young lovers who are completely unaware of the evil that is around them. When Lily is captured as well, Jack must rescue her with the help of the magical creatures in the forest.

Cruise does pretty well in his role, but I think the focus should really be on Curry. The makeup is incredible, complete with red skin, huge horns, and hoofed feet.

If you enjoy a classic fairy tale, Legend should definitely be on your list.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must have for Fantasy Fans !
Review: This movie is really enjoyable and satisfying for fantasy fans. While there's lots of time for Lord of the Rings movie and Dungeons & Dragons Movie this will make you happy. It has good visual effect for its time. Good actors like very young Tom Cruise as an unexperienced adventurer knight trying to save his girl from a very cool looking Demon. Like Labyrinth and Dark Crystall this movie is a must have.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can't wait...
Review: (Rating is based on expectations and historical importance.)

This Collector's Edition of Ridley Scott's 1985 movie has been one of the most eagerly-awaited titles on home video for years. Apparently, this is the (virtually) never-before-seen original cut which was whittled away from 113 minutes to 89 for American audiences (by the same people who butchered Terry Gilliam's "Brazil") and was subsequently criticized for being choppy and uneven as a result. (Go figure.) But "Legend" is a visually splendorous movie (of course-- it's a Ridley Scott film) that displays an unusually firm grasp of the fantasy genre in terms of its archetypes and setting. (Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" was a strong influence.) Universal proves that it's never too late to right a wrong with this restoration.

For more detailed information about the history of "Legend," visit its FAQ at http://www.figmentfly.com/legend/index.shtml

Special kudos to Charles de Lauzirika (who also supervised the excellent "Alien" DVD) and all the folks who contributed to the production of this important release!


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