Legion soars into darkness

In a myriad of apocalyptic prophecies that have spurred the curiosity of 2012, Legion, a religiously skewed movie about armageddon, stands out from the rest.

In this well casted horror-action flick, God is finally fed up with all the "bulls**t" and has forsaken his anthill of humanity; however, there is hope.

The fallen archangel Michael, played by Paul Bettany, shows mercy on the human race. He cuts off his wings and abandons his place in heaven in order to protect an eight month pregnant Charlie, played by Adrianne Palicki, whose unborn child's life has become the pinnacle of human existence.

There are some serious flaws. Details surrounding the plot are nonexistent. The audience is never informed about the events leading up to God's decision to exterminate his cherished race.

Also, the importance of the unborn child is never explained (though one can draw conclusions based on the biblical themes of the movie). We are left to assume the child is some sort of second Messiah with the potential to "lead the world out of darkness," but this murky presumption seems almost too sacrilegious in retrospect.

Furthermore, the end of the film is set up very distinctly to ensure that a sequel will follow, although the epic battles between God's army of angels and the weak human race leaves no need for further story telling. The cliffhanger style ending does not leave the audience pondering the prospects of the future possibilities of humankind, but rather, what is there left to fight once you have defeated the legions of heaven?

Apart from the cliché dialogue and demonic "angel possession," the film appeals to the sympathy and curiosity of its viewers. Paul Bettany's powerful acting counterbalances an almost hokey plot.

Bettany's portrayal of the hardcore angel gone rebel is beautifully executed, and the detail put into the character is thoughtfully multifaceted, varying greatly from the slew of one dimensional characters that inhabit the desolate diner in the Mohave Dessert.

The thrilling battle scenes between Michael and Gabriel, the eager-to-please leader of God's army, adds another note of interest to the movie, including angel wings made of steel and heavy artillery.

So, thematic problems aside, Legion is worth the watch; undeniably entertaining with a new twist on the end of the world, where God is our enemy and faith lies in fallen angels.