After 'Star Wars' proved that sci-fi wasn't a joke genre that produced silly shiny movies, film makers started to wonder what else they could make as much money from in a similar way. The obvious answer was fantasy. 'Legend' was not the hit that 'Star Wars' was. It wasn't close. 'The Lord of the Rings' movies were close, but they would be made over fifteen years later. The idea was spot on, but the creation was a mistake. 'Legend' is a bit of a joke.
It's so full of rainbows and sparkles and pixies and latex masks that I really couldn't take it seriously. There is some drama... sort of. And a plot, involving Tom Cruise badly acting and a princess who brings on the end of the world by feeling up a unicorn. They have absolutely no chemistry, and the writing is terrible. The sidelined characters aren't funny and the action is mostly bland.
The one saving grace (though only for the scenes that he's in) is the
overtly rapey and massively horned demon played by Tim Curry. He
delivers every line with huge self-mocking audacity, turning "innocence"
into "IH-NO-SENCE!" They were smart to give him freedom in the facial
area mask wise, as his range of emotions are brilliant. He seduces the
princess with some good old fashioned sexist shiny crap, and soon she's
wearing a plunging black dress with a huge collar, and is getting
married to the guy. Our short Scientologist hero steps in though, and of
course saves the day and releases a unicorn and brings light back to
the world, or something.
It takes a lot from 'The NeverEnding Story' (the whole style and feel of it, really), 'The Hobbit' (particularly the riddle scene with the elf kid), and 'Peter Pan' (with the whole look and way of acting of Cruise). It was worse than all of those, though.
I couldn't believe that Ridley Scott had directed such a flop, but I suppose it was early days (though post-'Blade Runner' so I'm still tutting). While it is stupid, yes, there is something about it that is memorable. Perhaps not classic, but so unintentionally hilariously of it's time that it is note worthy.
"IH-NO-SENCE!"
Legend: 33.6