LEGEND Turns Up the Heat This July with Explosive Channel Premieres

Images: Clout Communications on behalf of Legend

By Jon Donnis

July on LEGEND is going full throttle, packed with gritty thrillers, sky-high action and a strong dose of '80s nostalgia. With a slate of seven channel premieres taking over primetime, the month promises enough tension, spectacle and chaos to keep viewers hooked all the way through.

Line of Duty (2019)

Leading the charge on Saturday 5 July is In the Line of Duty (2019), a real-time action thriller starring Aaron Eckhart as a disgraced cop chasing redemption after fatally gunning down the only lead in a child abduction case. With the Chief of Police's daughter still missing, things spiral fast when the kidnapper's brother shows up seeking revenge. Courtney Eaton co-stars as a live-streaming reporter caught up in the mayhem.

Kicking off on Thursday 10 July at 7pm, The Fall Guy makes a welcome return. The second season of this classic 1980s series continues Colt Seavers' double life as a stuntman and bounty hunter. Played by Lee Majors, Seavers juggles death-defying action scenes and chasing fugitives, all backed by his iconic theme song. It's bold, unapologetic fun, straight from the heyday of network television.

Best of the Best (1989)

Later that same night at 9pm, the martial arts cult favourite Best of the Best (1989) makes its LEGEND debut. Eric Roberts stars as part of a mismatched American kickboxing team facing off against a relentless Korean squad. What starts as a competition grows into something far more personal, with emotional stakes that match the physical ones.

D.O.A. (1988)

Saturday 12 July sees the arrival of D.O.A. (1988), a neon-lit neo-noir thriller in which Dennis Quaid has just 24 hours to figure out who poisoned him. Everyone is a suspect, including Meg Ryan's character, as they race through a night laced with paranoia and passion. Directed by Max Headroom creators Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, the film blends noir tension with late '80s edge.

Best of the Best II (1992)

On Thursday 17 July, the sequel lands. Best of the Best II (1992) shifts the action to Las Vegas where revenge is the only goal. A brutal underground fighting arena known as The Coliseum sets the stage, and with one of their own murdered, the returning team must confront their deadliest opponents yet.

Then, on Saturday 19 July, Nicolas Cage does what only Nicolas Cage can in Primal (2019). As a hunter transporting a rare white jaguar aboard a cargo ship, he ends up facing not one but two deadly predators. When a political assassin escapes and lets the big cat loose, the ship turns into a floating trap filled with teeth, claws and bullets.

Burning Rubber (2019)

More family tension unfolds in Burning Rubber (2019) on Thursday 24 July, with John Travolta taking the wheel. He plays a former racing star forced back into competition when his son joins a rival team. With Michael Madsen and Shania Twain in supporting roles, this high-octane drama blends speed with strained family ties and unforgiving trackside rivalries.

Rounding things off on Saturday 26 July is Terminal Velocity (1994), a high-flying, mid-'90s action spectacle starring Charlie Sheen. What begins as a routine skydiving lesson takes a sharp turn into international espionage when Sheen's character gets pulled into a tangled mess involving the Russian mafia and a suspicious parachuting incident.

Whether it's the martial arts mat, a racing circuit or thirty thousand feet in the air, LEGEND's July line-up doesn't ease off the gas. Packed with cult favourites, classic action and newer thrills, the channel is dialling things up to maximum impact.

LEGEND is available on Sky 148, Virgin 149, Freeview 41 and Freesat 137.

REVIEW: The Fall Guy (2024 Film) - Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt and Hannah Waddingham

Review by Jon Donnis

David Leitch's "The Fall Guy," written by Drew Pearce, reimagines the beloved 1980s TV series with a blend of action, comedy, and romance. The film centers around Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a Hollywood stunt performer whose career comes to an abrupt halt after a debilitating accident during a stunt gone wrong. Fast forward eighteen months, Colt is now a valet at a small Mexican restaurant, a far cry from his glory days. His mundane life takes a turn when Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), a film producer, contacts him with a mission: find the missing action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and save the overbudget production of "Metalstorm," directed by Colt's ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt).

Gosling and Blunt are the heart of the film, bringing charisma and depth to their roles. Gosling's portrayal of the seasoned, down-and-out stuntman Colt is both endearing and entertaining, while Blunt's Jody balances vulnerability and determination. Their chemistry reignites as the plot progresses, providing both comedic and romantic elements that enhance the film's appeal.

The action sequences, a hallmark of any Leitch-directed film, are executed with precision and creativity. From high-octane chases through Sydney to a dramatic mid-air confrontation, the stunts are a visual treat. However, it's the behind-the-scenes bloopers and footage during the credits that truly shine, ironically showcasing the meticulous effort and danger involved in stunt work more effectively than some of the film's set pieces.

The narrative takes viewers on a wild ride through the glamorous yet perilous world of Hollywood, as Colt uncovers a web of deceit involving deepfake technology and personal vendettas. The film's plot, while occasionally convoluted, is bolstered by strong performances from its supporting cast, including Teresa Palmer as Iggy Starr and Winston Duke as Dan Tucker.

Despite its many strengths, "The Fall Guy" isn't without its flaws. The script could benefit from tighter writing, as the emphasis on grandiose stunts sometimes overshadows character development and plot coherence. Nevertheless, the film's tongue-in-cheek approach to Hollywood stereotypes and the homage to stunt performers offer a refreshing and entertaining perspective.

The inclusion of the "Unknown Stuntman" song, even in a modern rendition, serves as a nostalgic nod to fans of the original series. Cameos sprinkled throughout the film add an extra layer of fun, catering to eagle-eyed viewers and longtime fans alike.

In summary, "The Fall Guy" is a highly entertaining film that, despite lacking some of the original series' charm, delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It succeeds in celebrating the unsung heroes of Hollywood, the stunt crews, while providing a captivating story filled with humor, action, and romance.

I score "The Fall Guy" a solid 8 out of 10.

Out in cinemas now