La Crypte du dragon

I have enjoyed most if not all of Scott Adkins movies thus far except for this one. Dolph Lundgren is always hit and miss with his movies, more misses IMO. However, Adkins has reinvigorated the "American" martial arts audience and does it with both extreme seriousness and a little added tongue in cheek (something he may have borrowed from his pal and often co-star Jan Claude Van Damme). But in Legendary he seems so out of place, Not to say an actor should be stereotyped but be careful on the roles he chooses. The script was awful. The supposed humor was not funny and felt forced. Even Adkins smiles appeared fake. Lundgren almost looked Oscar worthy next to him, and I nearly choke saying that. The special effects were terrible. Like a cross between a teenager trying out some CGI and a guy throwing on a costume he found in the attic and pieced together. You can skip this one unless you just want to say you watched every Adkins or Lundgren movie. No other reason I can see to sit through it.

Scott Adkins and Dolph Lundgren star as rival bad-ass hunters who look to go up against some type of kimono dragon. Legendary is the type of B. movie that boggles your mind. After enjoying Adkins work with Van Damme (and Lundgren, as I both enjoyed Expendables 2 and Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning)I admit being somewhat optimistic about seeing these two charismatic kung fu guys in a monster movie. The problem though is that Adkins and Lundgren are completely wasted in what feels like a busted made for TV pilot for a TV show that never should air. The problem is that Adkins and Lundgren are not cut out for Indiana Jones antics and as a monster movie the film is completely unexciting. Overall this movie will even bore the most ardent fans of the two stars. Therefore this misfire is best forgotten, so if you want to see the combined talents of the two stars used effectively, re-rent Universal Soldier:Day Of Reckoning, because this painfully boring dud will be remembered solely as a low point in the careers of both stars.

* out of 4-(Bad)

Strangely in my teenager years those chintzy trash picture as Alligator, Piranha, Tentacoli and Kingdom of the Spiders and other countless lowest budge freak productions bewitched us gushingly and all them became in a cult afterwards, Legendary tries to explore this peculiar market niche featuring Dolph Lundgren as the merciless Hunter as a bait to hook us, an USA-China co-production is very flimsy shot on location on beautiful and peaceful landscape at China, a massive use of CGI process introduce to us a not listed of a new breed of reptilian, which has been viewed attacking the workers in a building of water collection at lake, the plot is preposterous and laughable, when they finally faces the reptile on a cave, is easy noticed a lousy sound stage, well after this point is unmanageable try to describe such foolishness, that it, if you want watch it, feel free and go ahead at your own risky!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: Blu-Ray / Rating: 4

I think the main problem of this movie's story is that it tries a serious/scientific approach, but without the science. First we wonder why the Chinese authorities would use Americans to track a strange animal in China; two teams btw, one of them freely running around with big guns. Then the scientists use about as much science and equipment as Indiana Jones (the famous archaeologist who kept destroying ancient sites to grab one valued object,) but without the fun. They fearlessly keep camping on the beach near a man-eating amphibian creature, trespass on guarded industrial sites, crime scenes or autopsy labs, and in fact hunt the creature with the same methods as in any B monster flick.

Add the fact that the creature looks ridiculous, caves look more fake than in anything since the 1950s, and the budget didn't allow for a director of photography, it seems.

The good part is that the film is not boring, mostly thanks to a cast of competent actors and likable good guys (the bad guys being rather bland.) In the end, Legendary feels like the pilot of a cheap TV series. Re-watch Korea's "The Host", instead, or wait for its sequel.

Basically, it is a B movie. This movie is just an empty shell. Very poor acting overall. Dolph Lundgren seemed the most natural. Scott Adkins didn't do bad now, but could have done much better. While it was nice to see Dolph and Scott in other genre, the B movie didn't do Scott any justice either. His character was very shallow. Also what I did not understand was: why did he have his office in London and yet didn't have English accent, but used American instead. If you are a fan of Scott or Dolph, then watch it; but don't expect anything at all. If you are a fan of neither, then this film is a complete waste of time, pretty much even if you are a fan — it's an utter rubbish.

P.S. This my 1st review. I'm sorry it had to be a negative one.