Legion Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Legion" showcases a nearly impeccable 1080p resolution with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio that offers a sublime viewing experience, closely preserving the movie's theatrical aspect of 2.39:1. The transfer's quality brings out the stark contrasts between the dark, atmospheric scenes filled with shadows and the broad, vivid daylight shots reminiscent of classic westerns. The level of detail in various settings, from the dust and grit of the parking lot to the textured complexions of the characters' faces, is strikingly clear and consistent throughout. There is a commendable accuracy in flesh tones, only altered by intentional lighting effects, enhancing the visual realism.

Despite being a dark-themed film, "Legion" thrives on its visual dichotomy, presenting deeply absorbing blacks without sacrificing detail in low-light conditions and emitting a warm, golden hue in its brighter desert scenes. This balance is supported by a pleasing layer of filmic grain, lending authenticity and depth to the cinematic experience. While there is a minor note of banding during high-action sequences, it does little to detract from an otherwise stunning visual presentation. The attention to detail ensures that both the intense, shadow-laden moments and the expansive vistas are rendered with remarkable clarity and textural precision.

Sony's commitment to quality is evident in this Blu-ray release of "Legion," where the technical prowess of the transfer mirrors their dedication to the format. The integration of deep, true blacks and vibrant colors across varied scenarios emphasizes the strengths of the film's cinematography. Although there are fleeting moments of technical imperfection, such as occasional banding, they are far outweighed by the overall visual excellence. This Blu-ray edition not only embraces the original essence of the film's aesthetic but elevates it, making "Legion's" video presentation a prime example of high-definition home entertainment.

The audio experience of "Legion" on Blu-ray, presented in a formidable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, rivals the movie's stellar 1080p visual transfer, immersing listeners into an apocalyptic scenario that's both audacious and enveloping. This high-definition sonic landscape ensures every sound effect—from the disconcertingly realistic bark of a dog to the enveloping rain and expansive scenes of celestial combat—resonates with exceptional clarity and spatial precision. The track masterfully crafts a seamless auditory environment, where the nuanced sounds of buzzing insects or the subtle hum of electricity breathe life into the desert setting, further highlighted by a selection of musical pieces that boast remarkable clarity and robustness. Dialogue, too, is consistently crisp, making every line, no matter how dreadful, perfectly intelligible, thereby enhancing the overall immersive experience.

Noteworthy is how the Blu-ray's audio track meticulously renders the chaos and nuances of the film's apocalyptic events—angels with metallic wings clashing, swarms of frenzied hordes, and the ominous spread of a storm cloud signaling doom. Each element is captured with a fidelity that virtually transports the viewer into the midst of the unfolding end times, complemented by an impressive depth that augments the film’s expansive sound field. Furthermore, moments like an elderly lady’s monstrous transformation within a diner are rendered with such vivid audio detailing that it ensures the horror feels all too real within one's own living room.

Technical quality remains impeccable throughout, free from any detracting issues like hisses or pops, ensuring a clean and uninterrupted listening journey. Supplementary audio options include a French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, alongside English and French subtitles which only adds to the accessibility and enjoyment for a wider audience. Through skillful audio engineering, "Legion"'s DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack delivers an all-encompassing, high-definition auditory experience that not only matches but at times surpasses the visual spectacle of the film itself.

While "Legion" may not ascend to divine heights with its supplementary content, it nonetheless delivers a serviceable array of extras for enthusiasts. The standout feature, Bringing Angels to Earth: Picture-in-Picture, eclipses typical audio commentaries by melding directorial insights with a behind-the-scenes gaze, enriched by cast and crew interviews interspersed with storyboards and special effects sequences. Despite a certain redundancy following the in-depth Creating the Apocalypse, this documentary along with Humanity's Last Line of Defense and From Pixels to Picture contribute worthwhile, albeit occasionally lackluster, peeks into the film's production process and effects wizardry. Supplements are rounded out by promotional trailers and digital copies, providing a comprehensive package that, while not groundbreaking, offers enough substance for followers of the film to revisit the apocalyptic vision with a new perspective.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bringing Angels to Earth: Picture-in-Picture: A comprehensive feature combining commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Creating the Apocalypse: A making-of documentary focusing on special effects and storyboard.
• Humanity’s Last Line of Defense: A featurette on the cast and characters of the film.
• From Pixels to Picture: A deep dive into the film’s special effects and digital creation.
• BD-Live Functionality: For online content.
• Sony MovieIQ: Offers connectivity for additional movie content.
• 1080p Trailers: Trailers for several films, including "Chloe" and "The Road".
• PSP Digital Copy of Legion: A digital copy for PSP (note on availability pending).
• iTunes Digital Copy of the Film: For transfer to compatible devices like the iPod Touch.

In the Blu-ray presentation of "Legion," a movie that ambitiously intertwines apocalyptic reveries with angelic lore, viewers are thrust into a tumultuous narrative settled within the confines of a desolate diner in the Western U.S. desert. Helmed by Scott Stewart, the film endeavors to meld elements of iconic genre staples—drawing loosely from "Maximum Overdrive," "The Stand," and "The Terminator"—to spawn a concoction that is as bewilderingly ambitious as it is fundamentally flawed. The premise is daring; God, disillusioned with mankind, unleashes his wrath in a second biblical flood of sorts, tasking angels to inherit human vessels and eradicate humanity's last hope: an unborn child prophesied as mankind's savior. Paul Bettany as the archangel Michael leads a ragtag group of humans in resistance, a storyline ripe with potential yet marred by execution that teeters on the precipice of parody.

Technically, the film's Blu-ray presentation does little to elevate the material, despite offering clear visuals and adept audio quality that attempts to do justice to the smattering of action sequences. The juxtaposition of divine entities brandishing modern weaponry against a backdrop of spiritual warfare offers a visual spectacle that, while occasionally striking, often devolves into the realm of the absurd. The cast, an assemblage of capable actors, traverses through the narrative with performances that range from earnest to enigmatically dispassionate, all seemingly constricted by a script that oscillates between trying earnestness and disjointed action set pieces. Moments intended to be laden with gravity are undercut by dialogues and scenarios that strain credulity, leaving much of the emotional resonance unmined.

Ultimately, "Legion" embarks on an audacious narrative journey that it struggles to see through to fruition. The blend of apocalyptic tension and celestial mythology proves an unwieldy beast for Stewart to tame, resulting in a film that is at once viscerally engaging and intellectually disjointed. Its ambitious concept, while not fully realized, is given a platform through the Blu-ray presentation that at least ensures its envisioned spectacle is not lost in translation. Despite these efforts, the movie remains a perplexing ensemble of missed opportunities, serving as a testament to the challenges of amalgamating disparate genre elements into a cohesive whole.

Legion," though not without its high-adrenaline moments and occasional forays into entertaining territory, ultimately falls short of delivering a coherent or meaningful narrative. Its portrayal of a celestial conflict, with God as an antagonist employing angelic beings in a manner more befitting of horror flick antagonists, misses the mark, lending an air of absurdity to an already shaky premise. Despite these narrative missteps and a script that often veers into the realms of the ridiculous, the film does muster some commendation for its direction, atmosphere, and spurts of engaging action. Unfortunately, these aspects are not enough to elevate "Legion" beyond its fundamental flaws.

Sony's Blu-ray release, in stark contrast to the film's content, showcases the company's commitment to exceptional technical standards. The visual and auditory presentation is of a quality that few can match, ensuring that, at the very least, viewers will have their home theater systems thoroughly tested by the disc's impressive sound and picture clarity. However, the supplementary content, although limited, offers some redemption through an engaging picture-in-picture track that fans might find enhances the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "Legion" fails to hit the mark as a compelling narrative or a memorable piece of cinema, its Blu-ray release stands as a testament to Sony's high-quality production values. For aficionados of top-tier audiovisual experiences who are willing to look past the movie's substantial content deficiencies, this release may warrant a rental. Otherwise, those seeking both exemplary technical presentation and a fulfilling movie experience might wish to explore other titles. "Legion" is a curious case where the medium decidedly outshines the message; a good disc housing a less-than-stellar film experience.