For better or worse, television has become a bigger focus of the superhero genre. Disney+ When HBO MaxThe former in particular has become a hot spot as a highly lucrative genre. Marvel Cinematic Universe Incorporated media as a key component of their ‘phases’.
However, modern MCUs appear as follows, Wanda Vision When Loki The X-Men spin-off series, doing something narratively new and exciting, has at least been well received at some point. Legion for FX is arguably the most unique TV effort for the entire Marvel brand. From both a visual and thematic point of view, Legion Over three seasons, it tells wonderfully bizarre, daring, terrifying, and real-life superhero-themed stories. shows like daredevil As the best thing to come out of live-action comic TV.
A captivating blend of ’60s aesthetics and psycho-horror
The juxtaposition of a vibrant ’60s-themed aesthetic with a sinister element of outright psychological horror is one of showrunner Noah Hawley’s greatest aspects consistently. LegionFrom character wardrobes to set design to meticulous cinematography, the show deftly fuses period visual elements with the present day, while also coordinating its own artistic direction.
But as important as its idiosyncratic art direction was the compelling and disturbing use of psychological horror that complemented it. Seeing Dan Stevens as the main character, the agonies of David Haller appearing around him were both psychedelic and truly terrifying.
Of course, that’s also thanks to Aubrey Plaza’s brilliantly erratic portrayal of one of the few signs of the Shadow King’s sub-control over David’s tortured psyche.
It’s one of the most daring approaches to live-action comics in recent memory, and despite only concluding three years ago, it’s unabashedly and relentlessly trippy in the current genre. It’s getting hard to think if things will be done again. Streaming era.The show can be considered jarring and underwhelming, but if it manages to make them positive characteristics, then Legion is certainly one of the masters of that balance.
Legion Sometimes it’s hard to remember that it’s a superhero TV show, but not in a cynical or otherwise condescending way. It’s one of the greatest recent and lesser-known examples of what can be done, especially with a collection of heroes and villains as famous and diverse as Marvel’s X-Men.
Delve into the subject of mental illness
Addressing a subject as sensitive as mental illness is a delicate balancing act in a production that chooses to use it as a premise. It has to be articulated so as not to get confused.
touched on beforebut it’s worth mentioning that having David play the role of an unreliable narrator is one of the show’s greatest storytelling strengths. moon knight With Stephen Grant, parsing what’s real and what’s not through David’s perspective is appropriately disorienting and foreboding.
And not because he’s always malicious or intentionally misleading, but because David himself often doesn’t know what to believe.most of the time Legionthe story puts the audience in his shoes, looking at the world and its characters through his distorted perspective.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child, spent a lot of time in mental hospitals, was told he was severely mentally ill, and on the contrary, he didn’t feel bad at all, and this was all special. However, as the series progresses, it’s tastefully combined that the culprit isn’t so black and white, the answer isn’t, and the solution is somewhere in between.
The main character isn’t the only representation of such a theme, and the rest of the supporting cast touches on different facets of trauma, with Rachel Keller’s Sydney Barrett being perhaps the next best example. It’s immersive, both by being intertwined with David’s story and, more importantly, by standing as an autonomous and compelling character on her own merits, scars, and all.
Syd’s life of physical separation, emotional isolation, bullying, and outright sexual abuse that she has endured is not used for reductive shock value, but instead as a substantive depiction of overcoming trauma. increase.
And how a live-action superhero show with its colorful ’60s aesthetic, haunting use of psychedelic horror, and psychedelic visuals can convey such great emotional impact through its Pink Floyd-inspired musical numbers. is seldom possible. mother Especially the highlight.
They’re not the only group used as influence LegionMusic of. But whether it’s a hallucinogenic representation of David’s broken psyche, a depiction of psychic battles, or a metaphor for overcoming emotional obstacles, these musical numbers is another showcase of the creativity of Holly and the rest of the team, blending multiple creative approaches to character-driven storytelling.
It’s hard to point out something similar Legion, Holley and co. It has made superhero adaptations that are very unique in terms of visuals and writing from most of their comic book contemporaries. culminates in a thematically honest narrative.
Marvel and FX Legion You can stream now at Hulu.
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