Angel-possessed elderly exterminators, explosions, Paul Bettany (“The Da Vinci Code,” “A Knights Tale”), what more could a movie need? And yet “Legion,” although showing promise, lacked in delivery. Michael (Bettany), an angel, falls from heaven in order to save mankind. God has lost faith in his children and has chosen to send an army of angels to exterminate them.
There is also an enhanced focus on the mission of one unborn child in the belly of a waitress in the California desert.
Why this child? Who knows.
The weak minded civilians are possessed by the angels first and are sent to the diner (“Paradise Falls”) to kill the child.
The diner’s desperate inhabitants included Dennis Quaid, Kate Walsh of “Private Practice,” Lucas Black of “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” and Tyrese Gibson of “Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen.”
Bettany holds the film together with an amazing performance. His delivery was on point and believable throughout the whole film, whereas many of the other actors did their best with the cheesy lines they were given.
Each character had their little monologue moment of memories and revelations to provide an overabundance of filler time.
I was expecting the director, former special effects man Scott Stewart (“Iron Man,” “Pirates of the Caribbean”) to bring more to the table for the look of the monsters.
The action scenes were well done, and kept my attention.
Despite its flaws, I found myself curious to see what would happen next.
“Legion” was made Grindhouse style, the screenplay would be better for it and I probably would have enjoyed the film much more.
Although I would not recommend to see it in theaters, it is definitely a rental.
Melanie Peterson is a third year student at West Chester University majoring in Communication Studies. She can be reached at mp649178@wcupa.edu.