Legion on Fox UK – Spoiler Free Review Of First 3 Eps PLUS All About The London Premiere!
Legion, the new X-Men-related tv series produced by Marvel and US network FX is loosely based on the comic series of the same name chronicling the life of insanely (pun intended) powered mutant David Haller, son of none other than the founder and leader of the X-Men, Charles Xavier.
This, however, is a very different take on the concept. Unlike the big budget blockbusters that this series shares a universe with, Legion is a very grounded and psychological look at how to survive with superhuman powers in a world where nobody accepts you. It certainly has more in common with Daredevil and Jessica Jones than the X-Men films, so it will be interesting to see how they will tie together… assuming they do tie in at some point…
Here at Geektown we got to see the first 3 episodes of the rather well produced and filmed series, and I was lucky enough to be invited to the awesome ‘Mutant Bar’ launch event in London the other week ahead of the airing of the first episode. Below is a little footage of the event, sans me for reasons that are explained in the video… (Editor: Bex is now to be referred to as Rip Van Bex…) It looked mighty cool with magicians showing off their super powers and celebs all gathering to read the comics and chat…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZf1zHRMC-E
After the event I watched the first three episodes pretty much back to back, and they are well worth watching! They are keeping the series to a punchy 8 episodes, and it looks to be moving at quite a pace, so this may quickly become my favourite adaptation of an X-Men licence to date!
Created for US network FX by Noah Hawley (a name we recognise from award winning Fargo), and with Bryan Singer connected to the production staff, plus a budget I can only describe as being well spent; the series is shaping up to be an ambition project. Dealing with issues of mental illness and having an unreliable narrator at the helm make this show an interesting look into how people would cope with living with mutant powers they can’t control and being thrust into situations beyond their understanding. The series has already received critical acclaim and if the first three episodes are anything to go by that acclaim is well earnt.
I’ve also put together a more detailed (and non-spoilery) review on the episodes so far which you can watch below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LXo7m8DOAw
Legion is available on FOX UK with new episodes out every Wednesday.
