Gabriel S
Legacy of Lies works as an independent film with a straightforward and simple story, delivering what the action genre demands. Without delving into character development, the film focuses more on external events, mainly the conflicts and tensions inherent in the world of espionage.
The movie tells the story of Martin Baxter, an ex-MI6 agent trying to get by in the underworld of London with his brilliant daughter Lisa. The past is a stain on his memory that constantly haunts him. As in all stories of "trying to leave the past behind," the past knocks on his door, and the files he failed to recover in his last mission resurface through the journalist daughter of the man he once spied on.
Martin Baxter, played by Scott Adkins, is the typical tough guy in the style of Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, and the like. The kind of guy who exudes testosterone and needs more brains, solving everything with a good fight rather than intellect. His internal struggle is the stain on his past that he needs to overcome to keep his head and, so, his life.
The antagonist is more a governmental entity than a specific person, which ends up being the film's theme, given that even entities like the CIA and MI6, which theoretically would be "the good guys," are grayer and have their own interests than the actual antagonist entity, making the plot even more interesting.
The film itself seems to have had relative success according to questionable sources like Wikipedia, ranking fourth in theaters and second on Netflix. Box office data shows failure in the United Arab Emirates, and the film's overall rating on sites like RT and IMDb indicates moderate performance. Director Ad Bol, as known, has a modest track record of films, being more proficient as a screenwriter. However, Legacy of Lies has been nominated and received some awards like Best Film in several independent award venues. Surprising, as the film lacks a deep story with adequate character development.
On the plot, much of it consists of choreographed fights with some light gunfights, nothing on a large scale, even though the consequences of such files falling into the wrong hands, in this case, the Russians, seem severe. But the story represses this idea, implying that everything happens on a smaller scale, with the main danger being something the trailer doesn't even make clear since Lisa doesn't appear in it. Lisa, in fact, seems like a character the writers added to create false tension in the story, which could have been satisfied with more elaborate tension on a large scale. So it turns out that the B plot with Lisa and Martin is superficial.
Legacy of Lies delivers an action story that satisfies fans of the genre with its shootouts and exaggerated choreographies. In terms of content, it is as similar as watching any other action movie with someone like Statham. Guaranteed fun, nonexistent depth.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/01/25
Full Review
Rebecca S
One of the better Adkins movies, martial arts usually is good in his movies but here you can really see the possibility oh him being an actor, too. Good chemistry between the leads.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/17/24
Full Review
Jim W
It was so formulaic it was boring to watch. They took an hour and a half of lines and scenes from other movies, mashed them together, and went to print. Summary: a movie made completely of video and script cliches.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/05/24
Full Review
jelisije j
A surprisingly good action film that relied on a more realistic story than an over the top one.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Late R
Yeah alright, story-wise it feels rather familiar and doesn't do anything we haven't seen before, but I'll be damned if Scott Adkins isn't one of the best action film stars currently around. Consistently underrated compared to his peers, the man's the real deal and with ‘Legacy of Lies', he once again proves that with the right fight choreographer and a director that knows how to shoot a brawl, he'll provide you with an abundance of high-octane, thrilling action sequences that involve a lot of people getting their asses handed to them in spectacular fashion. This one also has a bit of heart and humanity to go with the beatings, as well as being visually polished and boasting acting that's as good as you could hope for in the genre. Basically, it's just bloody entertaining stuff, and that's exactly what you came for.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/07/22
Full Review
Audience Member
Spoilers: Looks like Ben Affleck, talks like Jason Statham. Kicks butt like Jason Bourne his own self!! Whatever. London? Ukraine? Moscow? Where are we? Ukraine ingenue, bad women, news reporters, a ghost, a badass with little girl (the Professional Jean Reno with Natalie Portman?). CIA, MI6, FSB, Russians? Where's the mob? Hey, they are the mob! Fistfights, shootings, everybody was kung fu fighting! WTF? Blood thicker than vodka -- if only they hadn't jeopardized his kid. Bad rich guys runnin the world with lies. Take that, Vladdy! Tell us something we don't know. Precocious kids running the world is the ticket. Greta, where are you? Wait ... it's still the Russians ... or the CIA or MI6 ... or whatever. Actually not awfully done.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
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