Legendary

With its current rating of 3.7, I think it's pretty safe to say that anyone going into this movie willingly is either a Adkins or Lundgren fanboy/fangirl. And, with the listed adventure/sci-fi premise, we should know to set our expectations accordingly.

This is a cheesy B adventure with hints of comedy. There are no fights here (other than a handful of punches), there's no fancy CGI, what the characters do doesn't always make sense, and the cast is made up of mostly people we've never heard of. Still, I don't think it deserves a 3.7 and I definitely wouldn't say it's the worst movie I've seen this year. (Seriously, if you think the acting here is bad, you should watch Wild Horses. I've never seen anything like it - with the exception of Hartnett and Franco.)

The best thing about this movie was Scott Adkins. Although he was believable as a scientist, the best parts were when he cracked little cheesy jokes and laughed at them. It was adorable! He probably smiled and laughed in this one movie more than in all of his other movies put together. Obviously, I prefer him as an angry badass, but I accept that he also needs to do other types of characters to show his range.

And those who enjoy Lundgren, although he's not the main character here and we see less of him, they will probably like his typical bad guy persona with really nice hair.

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.

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

Not the worst of the genre, but Scott Adkins gleaming capped teeth and poor acting along with the obviously phonetically taught Chinese actors knocks it down a notch. Even Dolph Lungren chewing the scenery isn't enough to help.

This was originally in 3D and I can't even imagine how terrible the CGI beasties would have looked. (Actually I can imagine, and it ain't good)

As I said, not the worst in the "mysterious creature" genre. Think of it as a GOOD SYFY original.

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.