Halo: Legends – Reviewed
by OMGitsTFC on Feb.20, 2010, under Gaming, Movies
I didnt know the Elites were Japanese….Because they aren’t.
Halo: Legends is an Animatrix style exploration of the background and origins of the Halo story itself, and a few of the characters. Its set up in multiple parts, each one, of course, having its own focus for its plot. There is, however, one key difference between the Animatrix and Halo: Legends. I actually liked the Animatrix.
Being a die hard fan of the series, and an actual Helljumper, I was very excited for this release. After seeing it, ive completely changed my mind. The stories in the Animatrix all had more to do with the Matrix series. It exposed you to great info about the series that actually connected with the main plot of the trilogy. Halo: Legends seems like it was more of a money maker than a story expansion. The target demographic for this was the younger anime crowd, instead of just Halo fans in general. Each of the segments except for one were done in the tribute anime style, huge eyes, speed lines, sushi and all. One even recreates the Elite homeworld and makes it out to be just like Japan. The Elites are even in kimonos. No thank you.
The stories themselves aren’t too bad, but elements inside each segment completely ruined the plots for me. I dont want to see any Gundam style mechs, or crazy covenant heroes and whatnot that have never once been introduced in to the massive story. Ill never understand why people continue to stick in elements of their own design or creation in to stories that have entire universes already laid out for them. There are 5 or so books out, and 5 games out, none of them mentioning the various weapons, gadgets or characters that were key to these plots. The action is actually some quality killing, but the ratio of action to plot development is tipped way more to the plot side, so you have to fight thru the story to see someone get stuck.
All in all, i think a younger audience will completely enjoy this. Bigger fans of the series might want to stay away from it since it doesnt deliver anything you dont already have or know, unless youre a huge anime fan, then, again, its right up your alley. I, on the other hand, was so displeased by this that i cancelled my reservation for it at MovieStop and used that money towards a different reservation. Being outside the target demographic sucks.
Halo: Legends (BluRay) : 4/10
