Bullet Points: Legacy Peak
Every so often I need an action movie that is a palate cleanser from all the explosions, gunshots, car chases and murders that I usually see. While that might seem boring to you, a family friendly action movie with a strong message can be just what you need to realign your action appetite. Legacy Peak from 2022 is just the kind of PG action movie that I needed so I can go back to all the death and destruction I normally consume.
- Back in Black – Jason (Lucas Black, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) is taking his girlfriend Noelle’s children on a trip to her family cabin in the woods. Sam and her younger brother Ben will be flying out with Jason in his plane while Noelle drives out a few days later. Jason is hoping to use the time to connect with Sam and Ben while he plans to propose to Noelle at the cabin. Movies with kids can be tough because they are so freaking annoying, and Legacy Peak is no exception. Added to that the acquired taste of the Alabama drawl of Lucas Black and this movie better have a pretty good moral message.
- Exposition Dump – This is so much exposition crammed into the scene in the airport hanger that I was worried the doors would bust. Jason is unsure about being a parent in a shared family, Ben has to worry about low blood sugar, Sam doesn’t want anything to do with Jason, the cabin has no phone service or wi-fi, Noelle’s parents are not expecting Jason and the kids so soon and the plane is said to be in perfect working order no less than five times. If you don’t think all of those things won’t come into play you would be a fool. We basically get the setup for one heck of an adventure in one scene.
- Airborne – The flying shots are pretty awe inspiring with some great scenery shots and the outdoor scenes in general are a huge plus of Legacy Peak. Of course, when the trio decide to deviate from the flight plan to get a closer look at the titular Legacy Peak mountain, things go sideways. Or more accurate downwards. Who knew CG birds could cause so much damage to a plane? No cell service and no one expecting the trio means hiking is the only option.
- Bark at the Moon – After the crash, the action slows down, but the annoying kids heat up. I had to keep reminding myself that Legacy Peak is more about the message than the action, but it could have used more in the middle. Luckily, there is a pack of wolves menacing the trio and they are main antagonists of Legacy Peak, other than the family drama. The wolves really make the movie, and seem to have a personal vendetta against the kids. Maybe they saw how annoying the kids were being. The wolves also allowed for an action set piece with Ben driving an abandoned four wheeler as an escape from the wolves that ends up with Sam in the drink!
- Love One Another – Every time we get some action things start to look good for the trio, one of the kids does something stupid, but gosh darn it if there is some serious heart to Legacy Peak. The movie really has a lesson to teach you… not for me, I am too stubborn, but you can be a better person than me.
- Man vs. Wolf – After every turn, there is another obstacle for Jason, Sam and Ben to overcome, and that doesn’t include the wolves on their trail. When the wolves finally catch up to the trio, Jason plans to go one on one versus the alpha wolf to allow the kids to escape. And yes, this shows what a great potential Jason has to be a father, but Jiminy Christmas, I was not expecting to see a man versus wolf fight. The Grey could have taken some notes from Legacy Peak.
Not all action movies need to have people doing bad things. Legacy Peak is a family friendly movie with a strong message. I wouldn’t say that it has strong Christian undertones because frankly they are overt with multiple prayers and bible scriptures. Religious movies might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and annoying kids certainly make all movies worse, but taking time to enjoy an action movie with a positive and uplifting message every once in a while seems to be a great thing to me. Ending these Legacy Peak Bullet Points with some Legacy Peak Bullet Points also seems like a great thing.
- Die Hard Question – Is Legacy Peak a Christmas movie or an action movie that happens during Christmas?
- Best Dad Joke – “How is my hand like a lemon pie? It has my ring on it.” This only works if you can picture Noelle’s dad pointing at his hand with his wedding ring and pronouncing my ring like meringue.
- Familiar Face – Speaking of Noelle’s dad, I recognize Terry Todd from all of the Breaking Bad shows, including Better Call Saul and El Camino as Special Agent in Charge Ramey (SAC Ramey for those in the know).
