Where do I begin?
Legion will change the way you look at comic book adaptations presented
on TV. It’s without a doubt, a flawless visual masterpiece. It presents
itself with a unique visual style that itself, in my opinion, makes it
the most compelling comic book show to watch unfold.
Legion will change the way you look at comic book adaptations presented
on TV. It’s without a doubt, a flawless visual masterpiece. It presents
itself with a unique visual style that itself, in my opinion, makes it
the most compelling comic book show to watch unfold.
What
Noah Hawley brings to Legion is singular and something unlike anything
in the genre. It stands on its own, in utter grace and defiance. It
never bends to preconceived notions of what we've seen before. The use
of CGI is expertly done, it even features it's own one-shot, made
popular first by Marvel's Daredevil. The premiere episode was written
and directed by Noah Hawley, who conjures up brilliance in every moment.
You don't have to be a comic book fan to watch Legion. It's the perfect
combination to please fans on both sides of the spectrum.
There are a few themes highlighted throughout Chapter 1, such as
isolation, love, and fear. This is first and foremost a show about David
Haller and the journey he faces as he realizes that he's not so insane
as he's made to believe he is. That in itself is an incredibly important
topic, fear, why else does one make you believe or at least allow you
to think in such a manner, it's something the X-Men comics and
television adaptations have dealt with, which therefore made them so
appealing, that same principle is executed here quite well.
Noah Hawley brings to Legion is singular and something unlike anything
in the genre. It stands on its own, in utter grace and defiance. It
never bends to preconceived notions of what we've seen before. The use
of CGI is expertly done, it even features it's own one-shot, made
popular first by Marvel's Daredevil. The premiere episode was written
and directed by Noah Hawley, who conjures up brilliance in every moment.
You don't have to be a comic book fan to watch Legion. It's the perfect
combination to please fans on both sides of the spectrum.
There are a few themes highlighted throughout Chapter 1, such as
isolation, love, and fear. This is first and foremost a show about David
Haller and the journey he faces as he realizes that he's not so insane
as he's made to believe he is. That in itself is an incredibly important
topic, fear, why else does one make you believe or at least allow you
to think in such a manner, it's something the X-Men comics and
television adaptations have dealt with, which therefore made them so
appealing, that same principle is executed here quite well.
Every
scene is skillfully composed, there are a depth and grandeur to them
that's never seen in such adaptations. You may think I'm overstating it
but wait until you see how impeccable the pilot is. Each shot, from the
accompanying music (of which is pretty wonderful) to the lighting is
specifically chosen to project something spectacular. One of the best
scenes happens to be when David is losing control, featured in one of
the many trailers, the score, the placement of objects around him, the
way the camera focusses on Dan Stevens creates something breathtakingly
magical. There is never a dull moment.
scene is skillfully composed, there are a depth and grandeur to them
that's never seen in such adaptations. You may think I'm overstating it
but wait until you see how impeccable the pilot is. Each shot, from the
accompanying music (of which is pretty wonderful) to the lighting is
specifically chosen to project something spectacular. One of the best
scenes happens to be when David is losing control, featured in one of
the many trailers, the score, the placement of objects around him, the
way the camera focusses on Dan Stevens creates something breathtakingly
magical. There is never a dull moment.
Dan
Stevens is incredible throughout. He's perfectly cast. There are
moments when we see his character showcase something truly exceptional
of which the camera is drawn to like a moth to a flame. There's never a
moment where you aren't in awe of him and them way he encompasses so
many personas. Dan contributes so much history to David, especially when
the voices take over, there's so much range in his performance, small
details. His reactions to the "The Devil with Yellow Eyes" in particular
are fantastic as is the look of the creature, it definitely frightened
me. That entire scene is very well put together.
Stevens is incredible throughout. He's perfectly cast. There are
moments when we see his character showcase something truly exceptional
of which the camera is drawn to like a moth to a flame. There's never a
moment where you aren't in awe of him and them way he encompasses so
many personas. Dan contributes so much history to David, especially when
the voices take over, there's so much range in his performance, small
details. His reactions to the "The Devil with Yellow Eyes" in particular
are fantastic as is the look of the creature, it definitely frightened
me. That entire scene is very well put together.
Rachel
Keller's Syd is tied to David romantically and no, it’s not at all
cliched. It's a very sweet relationship and allows us to connect with
the characters at a more personal level. There are several enjoyable
moments between the two, one especially regarding reflections, it's
highly poetic. There's also a moment between David & Syd that's
reminiscent of Ned and Chuck from Pushing Daisies. Syd isn't just a love
interest, she will surprise you, she's strong, quite smart, capable and
I believe, another one of Noah's extraordinary female characters
(anyone who watched Fargo knows just how good his characters can be and
Syd is one of them). Rachel was a real standout during Season 2 of Fargo
and that doesn't go away in Legion, she brings a real flair to Syd.
Keller's Syd is tied to David romantically and no, it’s not at all
cliched. It's a very sweet relationship and allows us to connect with
the characters at a more personal level. There are several enjoyable
moments between the two, one especially regarding reflections, it's
highly poetic. There's also a moment between David & Syd that's
reminiscent of Ned and Chuck from Pushing Daisies. Syd isn't just a love
interest, she will surprise you, she's strong, quite smart, capable and
I believe, another one of Noah's extraordinary female characters
(anyone who watched Fargo knows just how good his characters can be and
Syd is one of them). Rachel was a real standout during Season 2 of Fargo
and that doesn't go away in Legion, she brings a real flair to Syd.
Aubrey
Plaza’s Lenny is a character whose larger than life. She's very
memorable and isn't just the comic relief. Lenny's a great best friend
who tells it like it is and is always there. Aubrey brings an eccentric
yet lovable quality to this character, one that stays with you.
The supporting cast of characters, all with their own quirks and
characteristics are memorable and intriguing at first glance, some more
than others.
I've found many comic book shows, such as the DC/CW ones for example
(and this isn't because I don't enjoy them, I do, it's just easy to
notice such markers) to be quite repetitive in their narratives. They
follow this structure that recycles itself which can become monotonous.
Few shows have defied such nature with the likes of Gotham, Daredevil,
Jessica Jones and now Legion. I think as viewers, it's rewarding to be
thrilled, surprised and unable to predict where the destination will be,
at least for me, and that's what Legion does. There may be a confusing
scene or two due to the nature of David's mind, don't be discouraged by
this, stay with it, it makes sense. It's a real labor of love.
Plaza’s Lenny is a character whose larger than life. She's very
memorable and isn't just the comic relief. Lenny's a great best friend
who tells it like it is and is always there. Aubrey brings an eccentric
yet lovable quality to this character, one that stays with you.
The supporting cast of characters, all with their own quirks and
characteristics are memorable and intriguing at first glance, some more
than others.
I've found many comic book shows, such as the DC/CW ones for example
(and this isn't because I don't enjoy them, I do, it's just easy to
notice such markers) to be quite repetitive in their narratives. They
follow this structure that recycles itself which can become monotonous.
Few shows have defied such nature with the likes of Gotham, Daredevil,
Jessica Jones and now Legion. I think as viewers, it's rewarding to be
thrilled, surprised and unable to predict where the destination will be,
at least for me, and that's what Legion does. There may be a confusing
scene or two due to the nature of David's mind, don't be discouraged by
this, stay with it, it makes sense. It's a real labor of love.
Don’t
dismiss this solely because of the comic ties, it's not at all bound to
such restrictions others place upon themselves. If you want something
as engrossing as Fargo and/or with(out) Marvel ties, this is the perfect
combination of the two. Noah's vision is never altered in its
execution, in the way, I think other comic movies are. From start to
finish this is his vision, undoubtedly so. With only 8 episodes in its
first season, it's not a 22 episode season dedication. In what is such a
crowded TV landscape, this is a deeply fascinating and engaging piece
of television and I implore you to try it. It's truly the next great
installment in Marvel's TV collection. Marvel and FX have really found
something remarkable in Noah Hawley.
Do not miss such an evocative feat, Legion starts Thursday, February 9th
at 9 pm on FOX and Wednesday, February 8th at 10|9c on FX. I hope you
all will enjoy it then. Please head to the comments to share any
thoughts, I'll try to answer whatever I can.
dismiss this solely because of the comic ties, it's not at all bound to
such restrictions others place upon themselves. If you want something
as engrossing as Fargo and/or with(out) Marvel ties, this is the perfect
combination of the two. Noah's vision is never altered in its
execution, in the way, I think other comic movies are. From start to
finish this is his vision, undoubtedly so. With only 8 episodes in its
first season, it's not a 22 episode season dedication. In what is such a
crowded TV landscape, this is a deeply fascinating and engaging piece
of television and I implore you to try it. It's truly the next great
installment in Marvel's TV collection. Marvel and FX have really found
something remarkable in Noah Hawley.
Do not miss such an evocative feat, Legion starts Thursday, February 9th
at 9 pm on FOX and Wednesday, February 8th at 10|9c on FX. I hope you
all will enjoy it then. Please head to the comments to share any
thoughts, I'll try to answer whatever I can.