Legendary

'LEGENDARY': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

John Cena stars in his first family friendly dramatic film, which is also a first for the studio behind the film (WWE Films). WWE Films has produced all of Cena's films ( 'THE MARINE', '12 ROUNDS' and now this) and I'm sure their involvement in the film was the reason for Cena's casting. WWE and Cena's interest in the film is a little odd considering it feels like a 'Hallmark Hall Of Fame' TV movie. It's directed by Mel Damski, a veteran TV director, and written by John Posey, a veteran TV actor (who also plays Coach Tennent in the film). So the movie has a strong TV movie feel to it and a 'feel good' uplifting family one at that. Despite this it was released in theaters (in a limited run) for 18 days before taking the video rout. It would have had a much more fitting home as a Sunday night movie on CBS or Lifetime (which it still might I'm sure).

The film revolves around a nerdy high-school student named Cal Chetley (played by Devon Graye) who one day decides to join his school's wrestling team. His father and brother Mike (Cena) were both wrestling legends but his mother Sharon (played impressively by Patricia Clarkson) is dead set against him following in their footsteps. Their family was torn apart ten years earlier when Cal's dad died in an automobile accident and for some reason Sharon blames wrestling for their problems. Cal tracks down his unemployed alcoholic brother and asks him to train him. At first Mike is reluctant to help his brother, who he barely knows, but after Cal shows up at a hearing (for the sentencing of a bar brawl Mike was involved in) and defends him Mike feels obligated to return the favor. So the two train together in secrecy behind their mother's back. This of course leads to dramatic complications.

The movie feels a lot like watered down generic TV crap but it does have a heart and is inspirational in a way. Cena is adequate in his role as well as Graye. Clarkson shines like always and gives a performance far better than the film deserves. Danny Glover has a nice supporting turn as well. The writing and directing is decent by TV movie standards but for a theatrically released, as well as high profile video run, it doesn't measure up. Cena could be a decent action star if he sets his standards higher, he's such a huge wrestling star it shouldn't be too hard for him to get some decent roles (I heard he has interest in doing 'THE EXPENDABLES 2' but many think he hasn't earned it yet). With that said doing this family film isn't nearly as atrocious as the ones The Rock has done (he also got his film career jump started through WWE Films as well with 'THE RUNDOWN' and 'WALKING TALL'). The movie as a whole would be worth checking out on TV with your family.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95Zjdlcbe0

I saw this movie when it was still in theaters

First, I want to say that I hate that I had to travel a bit to see this movie. I requested it in my movie theater on the online petition wwe put up but my theater was never given the chance. Second, the tickets in this theater were near $14, that is too much. The lack of theaters probably made it not sell as much

There is a trailer for "Knuckhead", the wwe film that involves wwe superstar Big Show. I really hope they don't mess up with this movie but something tells me that they will. Now on to the movie

Fantastic acting! You would not expect this acting from a film that involves a wwe superstar. In his movie, 12 rounds John Cena showed that he improved from the marine, and this movie shows even future improvement. Anyways, the acting was fantastic from everybody, Luli, mike, cal, the mother, and even the coach.

I don't understand the hate towards this movie. Everyone that walked out of the theater walked out with a happy feeling. It was a feel good story. It's definitely a movie you should bring someone to.

It's great for a wwe film. It's out on DVD now, so go buy it

By far the best film that features the sport of high school wrestling since the film "Vision Quest".

I cannot stand the "Pro Wresting" shows/films because I think that they do damage to the public view of what the amateur forms of high school wrestling and Olympic styles of wrestling are in real life.

That being said, this is a fine film that shows some aspects of high school wrestling with a fairly good story plot about a teenager facing family life struggles combined with the drive to compete in sports.

John Cena does a decent performance but the film is centered on a teen, high school age young man played by Devon Graye who gives a pretty darn good performance. A good supporting cast too!

A good film for "tweens" and older. Highly recommended for families that play sports.

I only just saw this today and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Cena is good and doesn't over play his part or look out of place with some very fine actors in support. The film has a good story and is well, acted I'm just afraid that many people will be put off by the wwe connection but shouldn't be. This a great film for anyone with or without an interest in wwe but if you do have an interest i recommend you buy the special edition 2 disc set as it has some great moments of wrestling history on it. Nice to see WWE films branching out and finely a credible role for the ever more versatile Cena who i see having a great future in films.

In the years that John Cena did The Marine he's apparently taken a few acting lessons. He does handle dialog with a minimum of credibility now though he did not have scenes with Danny Glover and only one with Patricia Clarkson.

Legendary is a nice, but hardly great family film and like Cena's other cinematic venture, produced by Vince McMahon who also produces his other acting gigs. He's from a wrestling family, his father was a state champion who was killed in a car crash and Cena's been at loose ends since, drifting from job to job and drinking more than he ought.

He's got a little brother that mom Patricia Clarkson is raising in the person of Devon Graye. Legendary's biggest problem is that you can hardly wrap your mind around the concept that Graye and Cena are brothers. Graye's the proverbial 98 pound weakling, but that's something of an exaggeration and fortunately for Graye if he goes out for high school wrestling there will be a weight class for him.

It's interesting also to see a pro wrestler in a film about wrestling as a real sport. But those guys with their attitudes you see on Smackdown learned their business doing what you see in Legendary.

Legendary is a nice if not great family film definitely one to rent for the kids.