MovieChat Forums > Legend (2015) Discussion > Is the gangster biopic dying?

Is the gangster biopic dying?

posted 9 years ago by HereComesMadness
14 replies | jump to latest

Between this and Black Mass, there seems to be sort of a muted reception for these movies lately. Movies that get by on great performances, but the actual film itself comes up way short on substance.

I think the issue is where to find a starting point to focus on and find if that aspect of the story is worth telling. That seems to be a common complaint for this flick. The story centering too much around the love story sounds like a misguided attempt to draw in female audiences when the story should be filled to brim with tension. Giving light to the explosive evil that the Krays were prone to should stay at the forefront.

Anyway, it should have been easy to make a gripping crime pic of these two. But I guess not.

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[–] jd_suarez 9 years ago

I hope so

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ithilfaen 9 years ago

Hopefully.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] Eddie_Fingers 9 years ago

No, it is evolving. The gangster biopic is in the midst of a revolution, as evidenced by films like Black Mass and Legend. We are witnessing the birth of the anti-gangster film. Get with the times.

"This life's hard, man, but it's harder if you're stupid!"

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nascentt 9 years ago

The gangster biopic is dying, but the 'Gangsta' biopic is thriving. If only Legend was half as good as Straight Outta Compton.

Koalas are telepathic. Plus, they control the weather.

[–] rzaxlash 9 years ago

I enjoyed Black Mass a bit more than this, but I can see that the genre seems a little tired and stale. Even Scorcese has stayed away from the traditional "gangster" tale, instead sticking to white collar criminals.

[–] Sobertoaster-764-479561 9 years ago

"gangster" movies are cool, but black mass was fail and this wasn't MUCH better, I liked hardy like always put the movie itself was boring most of the scenes, the psycho hardy was the best part of the film.

[–] slidell333 9 years ago

Agreed...BM was for sure a fail and this wasn't far off...both actually bored me, something I would have never thought before watching both films. The acting isn't the problem...it's almost everything else. Did either one even have a story "arc?" Two of the most poorly edited films I've watched.

[–] enyala 9 years ago

Look no further than Underbelly: Razor. Now THAT was some gritty stuff.

[–] simonkevnorris 9 years ago

Personally, I thought that Black Mass was a bit of a mess and did not enjoy it. I did enjoy this movie the first time I watched it. I will go back and watch Black Mass again though.

[–] obtec2001 8 years ago

All movies genres for adults have been replaced by Super Hero and misc. fantasy type movies. The kid in me enjoys these on occasion too, but when its all full grown adults want anymore it kind of weird. I mean they literally high jacked kids comic books and other kid books and converted them to adult standards. Batman and Robin was classic kid fare: "Holy shark repellent Batman!!" WHAM! ZOP! BOP!KONK!...ETC. . A ridiculous Superman guy in tights with a cape and an S on his chest that did stand for Superman by the way - not some coat of arms. KIDS LOVED HIM!. A big red cape is really stupid but it was all so cool FOR KIDS! Spiderman, another kid favorite. Now the filmmakers realize how stupid the concept of these heroes are for adults so they have to darken them. Give them psychological and sinister hangups. Change their still ridiculous outfits to be more adult cool. They are tearing their hair out because they know how stupid it is that Superman's only disguise is glasses and a nerdy personality change. That little disguise was fun and worked for kids. You know its bad when I cant even take my kid to a Superman or other used-to-be kid movies because of what they did to it........ Adults: dont ever lose that little child hidden in you, for that ember of magic is the legacy of your innocents and dreams; It is the place not only of fun but where compassion and mercy and hope springs forth when times are dark. Dont lose that ever. When its gone we become a non-person. We begin to die. But Also make sure the children's magic stays nourished and alive in their imaginations and in their dreams of make believe, for this is what healthy childhood thrives on. Let them keep their goofy heroes as they were and go with them and be part of it all. Be one of them for those moments. It will be cherished forever by both. Lets not steal all there laughable heroes for our selves. I dont want to see a thug Christopher Robin coming to a theater near me.

[–] nightcal 8 years ago

Your comment doesn't make much sense man. You assume the source material for superhero movies is always campy or kiddy, but it isn't. There are plenty of mature, well-written comics for heroes like Superman and Batman. It isn't all "wham! zop!" and to think that all superhero movies have to be like that is idiotic. People like you, who know nothing about comics but feel like you do, are the worst.

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