6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 1.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.3 |
Identical twin gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray terrorize London during the 1950s and 1960s.
Starring: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Chazz PalminteriCrime | 100% |
Thriller | 45% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Legend's main draw is the opportunity to bask in the glory that is Tom Hardy's dual performance as twin, yet otherwise disparate, 1960s London gangsters, the infamous Kray Brothers. There's certainly not a plethora of other reasons to watch. Director Brian Helgeland (42), who also wrote the movie's screenplay based on John Pearson's novel The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins, has crafted a disappointingly vacuous picture, a cliché riddled period Mob film that struggles to find an identity beyond its leading man and the men he plays. Packed with unimaginative narrative arcs, shallow character depth outside the leads, and even a soundtrack that only recycles all the songs that play over every other 60s-retro movie, Legend ambles on through the narrative and only rises above the all-style, no-substance death knell thanks to that wonderful performance from Tom Hardy. He brings enough interesting character clout to keep him, and the audience, absorbed in every last little morsel of juxtaposing kindred goodness, but even his doubly impressive screen presence can't make Legend more than a mediocre movie at its core.
Brothers.
Legend looks fantastic on Blu-ray. Even as there's a defining flatness and smooth sheen to the digital source, Universal's transfer is sharp and richly colored. Fine details are ever striking. Period attire is particularly robust, revealing extremely fine, very intimate fabric textures, particularly on suit jackets but also heavy woven sweaters and finer dresses. Even small fabric frays appear perfectly visible and tangible. Facial details are equally revealing. The finest pores, stubble, moles, makeup, and other intimate elements reveal more than the actors would probably prefer. The movie's very smooth veneer does seem a little off-putting when it comes to more naturally rough textures. There's no shortage of brickwork to be seen throughout the movie, for example, and the image is so digital-smooth that they lose that tactile look about them, even as raw detailing remains high. Colors are bold and well saturated. There's plenty of natural pop on everything from candy to signs, from clothes to cars. Black levels sometimes push a little too heavy and devour some finer details on darker clothes, particularly in lower light environments. Flesh tones always appear natural. The image sees very light noise but is otherwise free of unwanted blemishes. This is a fantastic transfer from Universal and practically a reference-quality presentation.
Legend features a superb DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Carter Burwell's score greatly benefits from the track's pinpoint clarity, instrumental definition, enveloping width across the front, rich and balanced surround support (including a greater sense of envelopment with the extra back channels in play), and a healthy low end support. Night club beats are just as elegantly detailed, particularly near the bottom end, putting the listener in the middle of the environment. The track features plenty of enveloping atmospherics, whether background ambience at a club or little odds and ends that spring exterior locations to tangible, realistic life. Punches, crashes, and other action effects are solidly deep and well pronounced. Dialogue is always center focused, but clarity and prioritization occasionally struggle. The spoken word can come across as somewhat muffled and mixed in with, rather than standing apart from, surrounding din. A chat Reggie has with Frances in the club around the 17-miunte mark is a good example. Otherwise, Universal's track is good to go.
Legend contains a commentary and a featurette. A UV/iTunes digital copy code is included with purchase.
Legend may describe the story of Reggie and Ronnie Kray and Tom Hardy's embodiment of them, but the rest of the film hardly lives up to its title. The movie offers otherwise passable entertainment value but cannot escape its total inability to work even a hint of creativity into its reproduction of a long-established genre. The movie does look good, but its best qualities are superficial; there's nothing complimentary underneath. Universal's Blu-ray does offer standout video and audio. Supplements are limited to a featurette and a commentary track. Rent it.
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