Legion (R, 2010)

common sense media says

Angels battle for mankind in violent, bloody thriller.


parents & educators say
  • 73% say violence is an issue
  • 60% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Legion is extremely violent and follows a negative, apocalyptic plotline in which God has given up on mankind and sends an army of avenging angels to wipe out most humans. There's no end of blood, dead bodies, and strong language (including "s--t" and "f--k"), which makes it iffy for everyone except adults and older teens. Ultimately the movie celebrates empathy and selflessness as the saving graces of the human race, but these things come packaged with a large quantity of brutality.

Positive messages: The movie's overall plot/tone is negative, but it moves toward a kernel of optimism. The story is based on the idea that God has given up on mankind and has sent an army of avenging angels to possess the bodies of the weak and destroy everyone else. But the angel who was supposed to be in charge of the mission decided to disobey because of his enduring faith in humankind. He finds good and selfless things about some humans, especially their ability to give when others are in need.
Positive role models: It's hard to call Michael a good role model, since he's sullen and violent and sometimes cruel to the humans he's trying to protect. But in one scene he proclaims his faith in the human race by praising the selfless actions of "Jeep" Hanson, who is ultimately a stronger role model than Michael -- he too has his moments of weakness, but the movie gives him enough wiggle room that he emerges as a hero.
Violence: Heavy fantasy violence throughout, including fighting, guns and knives, bullet wounds, slices and dices, car crashes, and many dead bodies (including the bodies of possessed, zombie-like creatures). In one scene, an angel slices off his own wings and stitches up the bloody wounds. A possessed old lady bites a man's neck; she's hit in the head with a frying pan and eventually shot. A swarm of bugs attacks. Other disturbing imagery includes a man hanging on an upside-down cross with pulsing boils all over his body. He explodes and sends lethal acid flying. "Zombie" children are the victims of violence, and one zombie wields a knife and tries to attack a pregnant woman.
Sex: Not really an issue, except for the teenage character Audrey, who wears a skimpy, revealing outfit throughout the movie. There's also a brief discussion about abortion.
Language: Many uses of "f--k" and "s--t" in all their permutations, plus "c--t," "hell," "damn," "goddamn," "bitch," and "oh my God." Multiple uses of "God," both as exclamations and within discussion of the movie's themes.
Consumerism: Characters drink Busch beer in a handful of scenes, but it's never mentioned by name.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Bob drinks beer in several scenes, presumably as a way to cope with his ordeal. He also offers a beer to a woman who has suffered a loss. Many characters smoke cigarettes, including a pregnant woman (though other characters scold her for it).

More on Legion

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the film's premise. How does its more religion-centric take on an apocalyptic future compare to other movies about the destruction of humanity?
  • What's the impact of violent scenes like the ones in this movie? How does their fantasy nature affect that impact?
  • Which of the movie's characters can be considered positive role models? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In LEGION, God has given up on mankind and has sent an army of angels to possess the bodies of the weak and wipe out the rest of humanity. Angel Michael (Paul Bettany) -- who was meant to lead the mission -- disobeys God's order and appears at a remote rural diner to protect pregnant waitress Charlie (Adrianne Palicki), whose baby may hold the key to the future. The rest of the humans at the diner -- an assortment of characters either lost or stuck there -- help out. Together, they battle hoards of scary, zombie-like creatures ... and then face an even greater challenge when God's backup angel, Gabriel (Kevin Durand), turns up.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Scott Stewart of the San Francisco special effects house The Orphanage makes his directorial debut here, and it's something of a mess, unsuccessfully combining elements of Night of the Living Dead with The Terminator. The plot doesn't often make sense, especially the question of just why waitress Charlie is "the chosen one."

The battles often take place in grimy darkness -- and the result is often more numbing than it is thrilling. Still, some of the visual effects on the zombie creatures are nicely creepy, and a solid collection of actors -- including Dennis Quaid and Charles S. Dutton -- makes some of the downtime between violent moments bearable.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Screen Gems
Director: Scott Stewart
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Lucas Black, Paul Bettany
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: January 22, 2010
DVD release: May 11, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence, and language
Watch our review

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 15 parent & educator reviews:
  • 73% say violence is an issue
  • 60% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

hockeydude777
kid, 13 years old
 
my new favorite movie. the only iffy thing was the language.

uytt2
adult
 
rent it
the movies plot is stujpid and the actingis ok. the good thing is entertaining enough to stop you from turning of youre television. so if you are going to see it rent it. the movie is really violent

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
17+
I didn't see this movie, nor would I want to, but I saw the trailer for it and it scared me so bad I stopped watching it. This movie is definitely not intended for children. Depending on your child, use extreme discretion in letting them watch it. For instance, I have an unnatural fear of demons (I don't know really, when I was little I had an unnatural fear of vampires, so I'll probably stop being so afraid when I grow out of this phase), so even if it would be age appropriate for me when I'm 16, it may still scare me very bad. So depending on your child, use extreme discretion in letting them watch it. I strongly advise against letting anyone under 17 watch this movie.

 
soooooo awsum!!!
luvs its!!!

 
Twisted View of Angels
Although it was an interesting concept at first, this movie tries to convince us that angels are the bad guys. It even shows them as zombie-like creatures with monster teeth. Even the "good" angel uses some really bad language that I doubt is used in heaven. If you are a person that puts your faith in God, you may find this movie very offensive.

damilesguy
teen, 14 years old
 
14 and older.
This is a great movie! If your kid can handle it, let him watch it! I am 12 years old, and had no trouble watching it at all. There is some cussing, including the C-bomb, but mostly f*ck and sh*t. I own this movie and have seen it about 3 times, I think. However, this is not for weak stomachs! Do not watch this if you have a weak stomach, because this movie is filled with gore, including a self-performed surgery on his own back, and they show an angel cutting off his wings, and then sewing up the stumps. Disgusting, and not for 13 or younger. However, if you are 14, or don't get nightmares easily, like me, you will love this movie!

Yoda123
adult
 
This movie is a horrible portrayal of angels and of God. None of this would happen and the angels are should be demons. It just made me mad watching it and if you're a Christian it probably will make you mad too.

Superparent123
parent of 7 , 11 , 16 , and 17 year old
 
HELP ME!
What is more gory? Legion or daybreakers? What Is worth seeing? Legion or daybreakers? What has more cussing? Legion or daybreakers? What has more action? Legion or daybreakers?

 
A messy piece of nonsense
This is one of those movies where even if you let your mind go you will still be confused. The story doesn't make sense. It just seems to be an excuse to pit angels against zombies. And it doesn't work. The cast is a nice touch, but is still wasted talent. Parents: This is a freaky movie. There's disturbing demonic images, bloody shootings, exploding bodies, irreverent content, and plenty of foul language. *Especially don't see this if you are religious.* Bottom Line: Not really worth your time in my opinion, unless you have a serious craving for angels and humans fighting zombies (and it's not as cool as it sounds). Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

1234nature
kid, 13 years old
 
In appropriate
Not appropriate for any one!

 
good for tweens and up
it was a great movie i mean it has alot of violance but hey what movie doesnt i gave it two thumbs up

jonakin
parent of 12 year old
 
12+
i saw this movie and didnt like the story but if you watch, its good! cussing is an issue but not so much as gore. little horror, and cool! watch it at least once.

Plague
parent
 
Legion
Cool movie. Awesome action, but the acting could have been better. Finally excited to see a movie where the angels are the bad guys.

vhanley
parent of 15 year old
 
We dug it, OK for 14+ if marure enough to handle swearing/violence, otherwise, 15+?
We loved it. Great story line with a new twist on the end of the world genre. No sex (the only thing I really concern myself with), but quite a bit of swearing. I have a 14 year old daughter and she absolutely loved the movie.

movie man 5
teen, 13 years old
 
Offensive film is not for those of strong Catholic faith.
This movie was ok, a lot of violence, and definetly iffy for those of the Catholic faith (as I am). I was kind of offended by its view of angels as a turn to be demons, and the angel Gabrielle as a villain. I didn't think it was anything special.

 
Another film that would scare kids of any age
Your kids especially the little ones should not watch this movie. From the moment the old lady says C--- there is nonstop scary stuff. Some zombies burst into blood and gross plasma that may make the toughest stomach go queasy. Just the films very take on the concept of the apocalypse and the earth being judge would be enough to scare any kids If there were any contemporary films that could give your kids nightmares this would be one of them. Parents could and should talk to their kids about where hollywood gets these different ideas on how the apocalypse and the end of the world will play out. The point that the language and graphic violence makes this movie for adults only!

 
16 and up.
i love this movie it was good but legion is only for your older teens and parents you need to know that legion is in extremely violent movie that has a lot of fighting, guns and knives, bullet wounds, slices and dices, car crashes, and more characters use strong language throughout the movie also there's a little bit of drinking and smoking characters drink beer and woman smokes cigarettes while she is pregnant.

Yldnole
adult
 
5 out of 10
Just caught this on cable. Actually after a quick start it got really dull. Could have been a much better movie....but....not bad for free on a rainy day off!

 
Older Teens, but not Kids
This movie was okay, for parents. The amiguity shed on religion and on God's/angels' roles is a little confusing. Not a bad movie for adults, again 17 year olds won't have too many problems with it. But have to say this is just not for kids. Violence is glorified, religion is turned on its head in a strange and disorienting way, and the overall effect is eye-brow raising. The issue of abortion is also brought up and would be possibly problematic for kids.

 
Action-packed movie that is sure to thrill!!
I LOVE this movie!! Lots of action, great story line, and it has a positive message. Yes, there is plenty of violence and some of the creatures could disturb a younger audience, but it's a film teens and adults will enjoy.

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