Review of Legion of the Dead

Introduction

The storyline revolves around two characters William and his friend Luke, William being the one who is more in control of things while his bumbling friend is basically a pain to him and seems to get on his nerves, however Luke is more loyal to his friend. The duo are enjoying the start of a relaxing trip through the beautiful Californian desert in order to meet up with their big cousin Joe, when they stumble on a guy offering to take them into town, they agree but realise after the introductions he is a raging psychopath. Unknown to them a mysterious blonde haired man is lurking around the town and sending out his sadistic henchmen to kill people and making them part of a legion of the dead.

Video

The opening sequence shows the desert and some figures walking across it, the credits flash on then melt away sometimes flickering past and moving in the same kind of opening style as `Seven` starring Brad Pitt. Visuals of strange text, symbols and blood red colours (most probably flesh) flash on and off with a sense of surprise and contrast frighteningly well over the bright desert scene, similar in styles to other movies too like `End of Days`, `Stigmata` and as already mentioned `Seven`. You also can make out a slashing blade through this pretty decent opening sequence.

The aspect ratio has been done 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen; the picture transfer is clear of grain or flecks of black and white. The quality of the picture is a little soft and during bright scenes you can see `movement` over the sky area although overall the colours are bold and clear especially on those sunny desert scenes. The lighting of certain scenes adds mood and atmosphere in one victim`s house while the henchmen talk about their purpose the light is gloomy and dark except for a lamp, the goofy henchman stands behind the victim in a flood of blue light or possibly moonlight. Other locations include the psychopaths house, the bar the two end up in and the `cube` that the mysterious blonde man sits in.

The locations are kept simple during this movie ending the latter part in the bar where the rest of all the action takes place; the barren desert is about as large as the locations/sets get. Interior shots of houses and shops feature also. The movie features lots of graphic gore scenes some taking a horror side of things and others border on black comedy. A variety of weapons are used to create the gore effects whether it is by the henchmen on their killing spree or William and Luke and company fighting for survival during the final scenes. The bar scene probably holds the most action as the cast are running and diving around amidst a carnage of bullets, gore, make-up effects and some martial arts action from Darren Shahlavi (Tai Chi Boxer), its this whole scene that reminds me so much of the finale in `From Dusk Till Dawn`.

Audio

Besides the option to have an audio commentary on this DVD has been produced with a Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 mix, not to mention a DTS 5.1 track featured on the back sleeve as `optional 5.1 audio mix`. The dialogue is clear through the centre channel on the 5.1 audio mixes, background noises for example, crickets in the night can also be picked out. The DTS 5.1 track makes the smaller details that bit more better especially during weapon fire and bones cracking or snapping (have you checked out Elijah Price`s bone breaking sound effects during `Unbreakable` using the same DTS 5.1 track?)

The opening sequence presents knife slashing sounds to coincide with the visuals, the sudden surprise in sound change does make you jolt a little during the scene accompanying this is a haunting tune plays overtop. A small variety of different music is played ranging from the constant haunting vocals/chords featuring throughout, a country tune in the bar, some heavy rock tracks and a fast paced track with a hint of rap that features on the main menu and during the bar scene when all hell breaks loose.

Good use of the rear speakers for audio effects and music, not much to say on the directionality effects but there is definitely rear speaker usage. The background music in the bar and the blonde man`s echoed speech is a couple of examples to listen for. There are about two explosions featured and this gives the sub a little tickle but nothing too impressive.

Features

The menu opens out into red hellish colours, a montage of an evil face; weird symbols and movie footage are present. The title spans the centre of the screen from left to right, and the following options are given; play movie, chapters, extras and audio set-up. The chapter selection is split into 18 chapters and has a piece of haunting music with it as well as knife slashing effects. The menu also has a rock/rap style tune played at a fast pace over the animation and features screams and other audio effects too. In the extras there is a trailer, a making of featurette running at 21mins, 8 deleted scenes, movie stills, production notes, talent file (filmographies), publicity (includes the likes of newspaper and magazine articles, posters and video covers), an audio commentary as already mentioned and lastly the script that is only accessible through DVD ROM.

Conclusion

As the Director states in the features, "This movie combines different genres; horror, action, comedy and fantasy" all these ingredients make up a well mixed movie, some parts in which may have had inspiration from other movies. Similar in many ways to `From Dusk Till Dawn`, `Braindead`, action shoot outs and martial arts action from John Woo/Chow Yun Fat movies, famous look-alikes and acting also; take Casey the cook for example looks, sounds like and fights like Steven Segal from `Under Siege`. The 2 immortal henchmen steal the show in their suites, one of which is a bit more serious than the other (who acts like the comedy sidekick and looks like Woody Allen), similarities to `Men in Black` maybe?

Although full of ingredients from other movies I found it quite quirky, funny and entertaining enough although it loses its pace once the bar action sequence is over and it`s all talking and time wasting. Just when you think you were following the story a twist similar to the one in `The Sixth Sense` hits you right at the end so be warned.