Plot: A team travels to China to capture a primeval creature that is not supposed to exist.
Travis Preston played by Scott Adkins is a cryptozoologist, assembles a team for an expedition to a remote region in China’s hinterland. The locals believe that a wild animal, which they call the “Shocate,” is a primeval monster roaming free in the area. Travis’ nemesis, Jim Harker, played by Dolph Lundgren, a merciless trophy hunter, has already set up camp. It becomes a race against time as Travis and his team search for evidence of this legendary creature before Harker can kill it.
A Very Different Role
Scott plays a zoologist in Legendary, which is a very different role for him. In fact, the timing worked out well for Scott, as he underwent knee surgery after finishing The Expendables 2 and needed around six months of intensive rehabilitation. The two films he made during that period, Zero Dark Thirty and Legendary, required no action work. It was almost like taking a vacation from action.
Legendary is therefore a somewhat unusual combination. You have Scott Adkins and Dolph Lundgren together in the same film—two well-known action stars—but the movie itself is not an action film. That can be misleading for viewers who expect martial arts, gunplay, or spectacular fight scenes.
It is important to know that Legendary is primarily a light-hearted family adventure. It is not a scary monster movie, but rather an entertaining and accessible film with a more playful tone.
Still, there is one scene where Scott’s action background briefly comes into play. Dolph’s character manages to make Scott’s character quite angry, resulting in Dolph having to take a punch from Adkins.
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren portrays Harker, a seasoned and relentless bounty hunter. Harker is on a mission to eliminate the primeval creature wreaking havoc in a remote Chinese village. His character is shrouded in mystery, with a dark past and a singular focus: capturing the elusive beast at any cost.
Lundgren brings his signature intensity to the role, emphasizing Harker’s determination and ruthlessness. Despite the film’s low budget, Lundgren’s presence elevates the stakes. While the script doesn’t delve deeply into Harker’s backstory, Lundgren’s performance hints at a complex character with hidden layers.
Scott Adkins
Scott Adkins portrays Travis Preston, a retired MMA fighter turned cryptozoologist. Preston is reluctantly pulled back into action when he joins a team traveling to China in search of a primeval creature that defies scientific explanation. Adkins brings his physicality and charisma to the role, even though the film doesn’t showcase his usual high-octane stunts and fight sequences.
Preston’s character is a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Adkins conveys the internal struggle of a man torn between his past as a fighter and his newfound scientific pursuit. While the film’s creature may disappoint, Adkins manages to inject some authenticity into the otherwise fantastical premise.
Scott Shines in an Unconventional Role
In summary, Legendary offers an entertaining mix of adventure, sci-fi, and light-hearted action, with Scott Adkins standing out in a role that is quite different from his usual work. If you enjoy creature features and a healthy dose of humor, Legendary is definitely worth a watch.
The Trailer