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List Price: $14.95 | | Label: Weinstein Company
Salesrank: 5779
Released: December 18, 2007 |
| Our Price: $4.00 |
| Used Price: $3.47 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
A warrior and a wizard embark on an action-packed mission to save the crumbling Roman empire and its young heir. As they battle across medieval Europe their epic journey reveals the origin of the legendary sword Excalibur. System Requirements:Run Time: 102 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/HEROES Rating: PG-13 UPC: 796019807753 Manufacturer No: 80775
Description of The Last Legion:
Swordfights, battles, and betrayal fuel The Last Legion, which tells the story of the last emperor of Rome: a slight 12-year-old boy who is a descendent of Julius Caesar. Protected by commander Aurelius (Colin Firth) and guided to an extent by the wizard Ambrosinus (Ben Kingsley), Romulus (Thomas Sangster) is an unlikely leader. Too inexperienced to rule wisely, he also shows little of the fortitude and courage needed to be a great warrior. After Romulus finds Caesar's sword--the legendary excaliburnus--he begins a search for the fabled last legion that will help him save Rome. Directed by Doug Lefler and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, the film has a clunky feel, thanks to uneven dialogue and fight sequences that are tepid at best. Portraying a female warrior, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is a beauty but unconvincing in her athletic skills. Kingsley makes the most of his role, chewing up the scenery and doing the best he can with some laughable lines. But Firth is out of his element here. More thinking man than action hero, the charming Brit is sorely miscast in this movie, which would've benefited from having better CGI animation and, just as importantly, a more developed script. With its broad strokes and lack of character development, The Last Legion actually would've worked better as a half-hour Saturday morning cartoon than a feature-length epic. --Jae-Ha Kim
The Last Legion Reviews:
a misuse of Ben Kingsley 
2008-08-30 - The movie ienptly portrays an Arthurian myth. Ben Kingsley must be immensely embarrassed. Poor editing, poor character development, poor storyline development, poor script, miscasting. Characters (actors) are misused in scenses throughout, particulary Kingsley's when he flip flops between mysterious sorcerer and mere house magician. The movie also suffers from a jumpy inconsistent plot development. Throughout, you are constantly wondering how did you get from one scene to another, since there are absent lead in elements to make the connections. Its Huh? How did we get here? Shortly after the start of the movie, scenes become decreasingly believable. Sad really, because the basic story premise could have made for an exciting inspiring movie. The actors didn't fail here. This is a failure of production and direction. This film may become a classic clunker for future film school critique.
Schizophrenic, but enjoyable. 
2008-08-25 - The Last Legion didn't do so well in the theaters and I can see why. It seemed as if the movie didn't know what it wanted to be. A sweeping epic? A Fantasy tale? A romantic comedy? At times it was all these and that of course was it's downfall. But, despite it's tired plot devices, standard Braveheart grandstanding, and obvious schizophrenia - I did enjoy it.
(Slight Spoilers to Follow)
The Last Legion tells the story of young Romulus Augustus at the end of the Roman Empire. Legionnaire Aurelius (Colin Firth) has come back to Rome, grizzled and worn after many years in service to the empire. But the empire is not finished with him yet as he soon discovers when is given the duty of protecting the soon to be appointed new Caesar.
Almost immediately upon arriving home, he encounters a boy, not knowing who he actually is. When the youngin' pulls out Aurelius's battle sword for a closer look, naturally he gives the boy what for. Aurelius is saved from further later embarrassment by the boy's protector- an enchanter and philosopher who rescues the child from the soldiers' teasing.
Not long after that, Aurelius meets the object of his next appointment- the newly crowned Caesar- Romulus Augustus- who just happens to be the boy he'd encountered earlier. That same night disaster strikes. The boys family is killed by a power hungry Goth come to destroy Rome. The boy is kidnapped along with his protector and most of the surviving guard are imprisoned or killed as well.
Except Aurelius.
After a secret meeting with the emissary from Constantinople, a supposed ally, Aurelius sets out to rescue the boy along with a Constantinopleon Warrior. But first they stop to release Aurelius's men and it's here the we meet the beautiful Aishwarya Rai (decidedly miscast I'm afraid).
Although the chemistry between Firth and Rai is not altogether true, I did laugh several times at their almost romantic/comedic interaction, which really was sort of out place in this movie ... but charming non-the-less!
The two set out to save the day, along with his men, and quickly find themselves heading to Britainia, at the the very edge of the crumbling Roman Empire, to find the Last Legion and secure The Young Ceasar's kingdom.
... But wait ... it's not over yet.
The movie takes another bizarre turn and ends up in a place I suspected it was heading from the moment Romulus discovers a prophecy laden sword destined to fit his hand! Though his kingdom will never be what it once was, it is secured non-the-less in the hope of his son and the wizened protector you may know better as ... Merlin.
The Last Legion
2008-08-25 - I would say you should at least rent this one if you enjoy the King Arthur movies, especially those of late which have gone far from the "Excalibur" and "Merlin" style movie and story. They explore a more realistic possibly of Roman soldiers and a strong sword, not a magic one. This is centered around a group of Roman soldiers lead by an engaging Colin Firth protecting the son of a Caesar. In this case there is a magician/wizard well played by Ben Kingsley. I was entertained by this movie and I think most families will be. Good quality DVD with decent replayability. If you enjoyed this catch "King Arthur" and "Kingdom of Heaven".
CA Luster
Wonderful Story! 
2008-08-03 - Great story, wonderful acting, believable actors! If you like the different Arthurian legends, this movie is for you. Younger(age 9-12)children like it to. Enjoy!
The Last Legion 
2008-07-30 - Though the historical accuracy of this film is questionable, this is an excellent depiction of some of the last days of the Roman Empire.
I question the historical accuracy because it was the Lombards, and not the Goths, which caused the final fall of the Roman Empire. And Hadrian's Wall & all of Britain had been abandoned by the Romans long before the final collapse of Rome.
However, a 12 year old Thomas Sangster provides an excellent portrayal of the last Roman emperor & does an outstanding job in this role.
This movie is well worth the money.
