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MOVIE REVIEW

Legend

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for strong violence, language throughout, some sexual and drug material.

Reviewed by: Pamela Karpelenia
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Biography Crime Thriller
Length: 2 hr. 11 min.
Year of Release: 2015
USA Release: November 20, 2015 (4 theaters—LA/NYC)
November 27, 2015 (limited—40 theaters)
December 11, 2015 (limited—107 theaters)
DVD: March 1, 2016
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Relevant Issues

twins in the Bible

Ronald and Reginald Kray (Wikipedia)

sin/evil and the fall of man

evil human predators / no mercy

murder / armed robbery / arson / racketeering

Ronald Kray was openly bisexual—and a rapist of men.

compare goodness and righteousness

organized crime


SUICIDE—What does the Bible say? Answer

If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to Heaven? Answer

Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures
Featuring Tom HardyRonald Kray / Reginald Kray
Taron Egerton … Teddy Smith
Emily BrowningFrances Shea
Paul BettanyCharlie Richardson
Colin Morgan … Frankie / Franck Shea
Paul Anderson … Albert Donoghue
Christopher Eccleston … Nipper Read
David Thewlis … Leslie Payne
See all »
Director Brian Helgeland — “42” (2013), “Robin Hood” (2010)
Producer Anton Capital Entertainment
Cross Creek Pictures
See all »
Distributor Distributor: Universal Pictures. Trademark logo.Universal Pictures

“The notorious true story of the Kray twins”

“Legend” is based on the real life gangsters, The Kray brothers Ron and Reggie Kray (both played by Tom Hardy). Reggie used to be a boxer, and Ron has serious psychological issues with violence and is unstable and unpredictable. The film opens with Reggie getting his brother out of an insane asylum. After his release, the two begin to take over London’s crime world. Reggie finds and marries Frances (Emily Browning). They start their takeover by muscling in on a local pub. Reggie is apprehended for a previous crime and that leaves the unstable Ron in charge, then things go completely haywire.

Let’s start with the acting, Tom Hardy is impeccable in these two lead roles. Everyone else in the film seems to fade into the background. The supporting cast is average. The plot is cohesive, and uses historical fact to add substance, which is good.

As for the objectionable content, there’s plenty. Violence is on overkill (pun intended). There’s also a ton of foul language and blasphemous remarks, throughout. There is heavy sexual language, and sexual images are shown.

The film deals with several issues that can be considered. Greed, lust for power, love of family through ultimate trials.

As for the biblical aspect, there is an under tale of trying to be your own god. We as Christians understand that there is only one God. When that truth is forgotten, it leads to our own demise.

As for a recommendation, the acting by Tom Hardy is super, but the violent and gritty nature of the film make it very difficult to enjoy.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Heavy, including homosexuality

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Movie Critics
…while the movie could’ve been worse, Legend is quite bad enough just as it is. The violence and foul language is terrifically harsh. … [1/5]
Paul Asay, Plugged In
…Mostly “Legend” just lurches. [2½/5]
Kimberley Jones, The Austin Chronicle
…Hardy is astonishing and magnetic in two truly towering performances.
Dan Jolin, Empire [UK]
…because of the extreme amount of foul language and the amount of violence, extreme caution is advised. …
Ted Baehr, Movieguide
…It’s a showcase for Tom Hardy but story falls short… the film is far too long… [2½]
Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic
…For all Hardy’s expressive detail and physical creativity, Helgeland’s chewy, incident-packed script offers little insight into what made either of these contrasting psychopaths tick, or finally explode. …
Guy Lodge, Variety
…There’s a British expression, “all mouth and no trousers,” which means someone who talks a great game but can't actually deliver on his boasts. It's an apt way to describe “Legend”… You spend more time looking at the cocktail glasses than at the performances. …
Leslie Felperin, Variety
…disappointingly shallow… cartoonish… We’re never transported, we’re merely stuck on a tour bus. …
Benjamin Lee, The Guardian

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