The Legend of Johnny Lingo

The leads and the supporting characters that get the most screen time are solid (a couple of them appeared in "Whale Rider", where they were outstanding, so you know that they were capable of more than they were given here) -- the shortcomings are primarily in the script, I think. Some of the supporting cast are a bit wooden, and the script is often a little cliched, but it's very sweet and the locations are beautiful.

It's a very gentle film with its heart in the right place, so I would recommend it for younger kids, and I think that most adults won't mind watching it with their kids. If you're a softie like my wife, you'll actually enjoy it...

I was very intrigued watching this movie whilst on holiday in NZ with my brother,he lives in Wellington,as his daughter -Fiona-is in it!

She is the attractive middle native girl giggling with two others when offered to Johnny as a bride! I feel she should have had the lead role!!!but I'm biased.

It was a light hearted fun movie with some good Pacific Island scenery,and villages.It had a feel good quality to it, and you wanted to continue viewing till the end to make sure there was a good result.

I enjoyed it,particularly as my niece is in it, I felt very proud to have such talent in the family, I am now looking to purchase a copy so that family in the UK can see it too.

I saw this movie on opening day with about 20 other people (total in the theater); I took my kids & wife to see it today (theater filled this time). It is a nice update to the old campy movie. Although inexpensively done it is well acted, funny, interesting, compelling and fun. It is still campy, however. The central message (that we can influence the self-esteem of others by the way we treat them, whether good or bad) has been expanded nicely. There are a few BIG plot holes and silly movie mistakes (nobody but the main characters seem to age; how did all the cows get there in the end? etc.) but overall it is quite enjoyable. It didn't move me to tears but it was moving; the ending, though contrived, is quite satisfying. And best of all, my favorite line from the old movie ("Mahana, you ugly! get down from that tree") is also in this version. Hey, it won't win any awards, but it was good enough just the same. A definite 7 or 7.5 out of 10.

It is so easy to criticize it. it is so naive, the performances are not the best, the music is awfull and the moral lesson almost childish. but it has one virtue - it represents the right choice for the gray periods. after a busy day, after difficult events, after a not happy period. if you are tired. or far to be yourself. like a tea cup. sure, it is a sort of propaganda. sure, its story is not exactly credible but too predictable. but it is the expected fairy tale. soft, sweet and...lovely. so, a nice film. for every family member.

If you're looking for a clean cut family film with lots of symbolic undertones (good messages) then "Legend" could serve the purpose. It offers good location filming, some very good actors amongst what seems like a mostly amateur cast. The real star of this piece is most certainly the music score by respected composer Kevin Kiner. Mr Kiner's written several moving pieces all treated to unexpectedly lush orchestral arrangements. Some good ethnic pop songs also help to set the scene.

Director of photography is the highly regarded New Zealander Allen Guilford and features some very good looking locations. The film is directed and edited by first time feature director Stephen Ramirez. It won't please hard bitten audiences but anyone looking for the style of matinée movie from yesteryear should be fairly well pleased (although the girls unpleasant drunkard father could be seen as a tad unsettling for some). This movie is an extended version of an earlier short film (Johnny Lingo 1969) from a story by Pat Mcgerr. Seen better - but sure seen worse! (just off the cuff, the promo posters don't particularly suit this version)