The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2002) User Reviews

sweet family film, exotic locations

[hbs · 6/10 · 30 June 2004]

The leads and the supporting characters that get the most screen time are solid (a couple of them appeared in "Whale Rider", where they were outstanding, so you know that they were capable of more than they were given here) -- the shortcomings are primarily in the script, I think. Some of the supporting cast are a bit wooden, and the script is often a little cliched, but it's very sweet and the locations are beautiful.

It's a very gentle film with its heart in the right place, so I would recommend it for younger kids, and I think that most adults won't mind watching it with their kids. If you're a softie like my wife, you'll actually enjoy it...

Nice update to the old campy movie

[sidunrau · 7/10 · 1 September 2003]

I saw this movie on opening day with about 20 other people (total in the theater); I took my kids & wife to see it today (theater filled this time). It is a nice update to the old campy movie. Although inexpensively done it is well acted, funny, interesting, compelling and fun. It is still campy, however. The central message (that we can influence the self-esteem of others by the way we treat them, whether good or bad) has been expanded nicely. There are a few BIG plot holes and silly movie mistakes (nobody but the main characters seem to age; how did all the cows get there in the end? etc.) but overall it is quite enjoyable. It didn't move me to tears but it was moving; the ending, though contrived, is quite satisfying. And best of all, my favorite line from the old movie ("Mahana, you ugly! get down from that tree") is also in this version. Hey, it won't win any awards, but it was good enough just the same. A definite 7 or 7.5 out of 10.

Good family film

[reaglin · 7/10 · 1 November 2008]

This movie was surprisingly good. The story is engaging and well told. The plot does have some holes, but they are not really relevant to enjoying the film. The scenery is absolutely incredible - the locations were this was filmed was great. I spent a good bit of the first part of the movie trying to place the date and location, which is doable. I like the fact that they used actors and actresses that actually were from the islands and looked the real part.

This is also a great film to watch with your family - there are not a lot of good films you can watch with your young kids and all enjoy. The entire story was suitable for all audiences.

I never saw the original - so not sure about the comparisons with the older version.

nice

[Kirpianuscus · 29 March 2018]

It is so easy to criticize it. it is so naive, the performances are not the best, the music is awfull and the moral lesson almost childish. but it has one virtue - it represents the right choice for the gray periods. after a busy day, after difficult events, after a not happy period. if you are tired. or far to be yourself. like a tea cup. sure, it is a sort of propaganda. sure, its story is not exactly credible but too predictable. but it is the expected fairy tale. soft, sweet and...lovely. so, a nice film. for every family member.

An extended story

[edkb · 7/10 · 30 August 2003]

The Legend of Johnny Lingo is an extended story of the 70's original. It goes into Johnny Lingo's childhood and explains how he first met his wife and how he first became a goods trader. It is a fun movie for all, including those who loved the first version.

Great Family Movie

[watchtiger1 · 7/10 · 19 February 2011]

This movie is taken from the Church of Jeasus Christ of Later Day Saints a.k.a. Mormons.

That said it is in no way a religious movie nor does it advocate any particular faith. I only mention it as that is where I learned of "The Legend of Johnny Lingo." I was surprised to see it was a full length movie (91 minutes).

This film teaches the idea of love, honesty, faith (not religious type)and hard work and reward for such work.

I liked seeing the longer version of this film that what I had before. It is filled with great views of the aquamarine colored sea and tropical sights they are breath taking.

While the message of the film is there it is not annoyingly so.

the legend of johnny lingo

[maggiewoolley · 6/10 · 12 January 2007]

I was very intrigued watching this movie whilst on holiday in NZ with my brother,he lives in Wellington,as his daughter -Fiona-is in it!

She is the attractive middle native girl giggling with two others when offered to Johnny as a bride! I feel she should have had the lead role!!!but I'm biased.

It was a light hearted fun movie with some good Pacific Island scenery,and villages.It had a feel good quality to it, and you wanted to continue viewing till the end to make sure there was a good result.

I enjoyed it,particularly as my niece is in it, I felt very proud to have such talent in the family, I am now looking to purchase a copy so that family in the UK can see it too.

Garbage Mormon propaganda

[zacharyraynor · 1/10 · 25 June 2021]

Brainwashing cult. Hate this movie. Never watch Mormon movies.

I simply love this movie.

[john in missouri · 10/10 · 17 June 2004]

That's not how I felt about it the first couple of times I watched it, but seeing it again recently, I realized: I really, really like this movie.

You need to see it several times.

Okay, so Alvin Fitisemanu's acting is awful in this film.

Okay, so it's a rolling commercial for Tahitian Noni Juice.

Okay, so it's weighed down by its share of clichés, including one scene that appeared to have been stolen directly from Chicken Run.

In the end, I just don't care. In the end, I am overcome by the story, the music and the characters in this film. I LIKE Johnny Lingo, I LIKE Toma, and I LIKE Mahane.

No, there are no Academy Awards here - but what we DO have is a good clean film with some positive things to say and a fun way to say them. For us, that was enough. And after several times of seeing The Legend of Johnny Lingo over the past few years, what seemed to be glaring flaws the first few times around have faded. I really like what's left.

[Edit: We just watched this again after many years. And I thought, "I really love this movie." So I went to read reviews, and was reading a review, and thought, "Yeah, I agree." Then I noticed... I wrote the review! 15 years ago!

15 years later and after a long absence, I feel the same. Even the obvious flaws in this movie are endearing. In fact, I upgraded my rating from an 8 to a 10.]

Good Family Movie

[drebass · 8/10 · 5 September 2003]

I saw this movie a couple of days after it opened. The theater was packed. It is not a movie with deep twists and plots, it's a child's movie. A visually beautiful movie. I lived in Hawaii for three years as a child and this movie brought back memories of how beautiful the islands in the South Pacific are. It also reminded me of the good clean action movies that used to come on TV on the Wonderful World of Disney. Anybody remember watching those movies growing up? Hollywood doesn't make many movies like this anymore. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A GREAT FLICK!

[humblerecluse · 10/10 · 17 September 2003]

On a hunch I decided to see what I knew was destined to be a much overlooked flick entitled "The Legend of Johnny Lingo". This turned out to be the finest movie I've personally seen in the past decade. The movie lacks foul language. It also lacks blatant sex. Further, it will not be classified as an action movie ... and yet ... well, as a teaser I will just say that it is perhaps best described as a human corollary of that old "Ugly Duckling" story. Take your date or the entire family too. Even though it won't, in my humble opinion THIS movie should receive the highest awards ever bestowed upon the industry and it's actors.

Bottom line: DON'T MISS THIS ONE! 'NUF SAID!

the humble recluse ...

Missing Lesson

[BobHatesSpam · 10/10 · 4 November 2004]

Of all the many short movies that the Mormon church has produced, my very favorite of all was the 1969 "Johnny Lingo".  The message, given in the end, is very profound, regarding the meaning of the price that Johnny paid for his bride, and what it meant to her sense of self-worth; and how the ugliest, most undesirable woman on the island was transformed into the most valuable and beautiful.

  I have just now finished watching 'The Legend of Johnny Lingo'.  On the whole, I found it a very enjoyable movie, very much worth watching.  Of course, it is to be expected that in 91 minutes, it tells the story in much greater detail, with much more richness, than the 1969 version could do in its 25 minutes.

  I was a bit disappointed, however, in the end, when the lesson that was so profoundly taught in the 1969 production seemed to be lost in this version.

  This version is very much worth watching, but I strongly recommend that after you've seen this one, you try to find and view the 1969 version as well.

{Added 27 march 2005}   If you seek to buy this movie on DVD, do yourself a favor:  Find a "Deseret Books" store (a store that specializes in Mormon-related books and materials) and look there for the "LDS Classic 2–Disc Edition" of this movie.  Among all the other special features, this set includes the original 1969 movie produced by the Mormon church.  I could be mistaken, but I think this edition is only sold through Deseret Books.

Nice fun flick. Although a bit clichéd.

[Stonedwithoutdope · 8/10 · 25 February 2006]

The Legend of Johnny Lingo starts off strong and keeps itself going through the whole movie. You will notice the way it tells it's story at a normal pace and doesn't drop off the deep end and bore you to death.

A castaway pacific Islander infant recently washed up on one of the islands is taken in by the Island chief (Whale rider's "Rawiri Paratene") to be heir to the chiefs throne. The child is named Tama. However after a series of misfortunes the chief rejects him of this role and passes him to another family. However after bringing bad luck he is soon passed on from family to family until he is taken in by the island drunk and his stubborn daughter Mahana. Both him and Mahana, endlessly abused, begin sticking up for each other and form a close bond. However after being harassed up to his teeth Tama is fed up and longs to leave the island for a better place. Leaving Mahana behind so she can take care of her father, Tama promises to come back to take care of her. After being shipwrecked on a more wealthy Island Tama is taken in by the legendary Johnny Lingo destined to fill in his shoes after his time is up.

Sometimes the humor is over done and clichéd but the story and characters maintain a strong balance which leave it's flaws in the dust. Nice little flick. Recommended for anyone and maybe a family or two. 8/10

Johnny's Extended Legend

[krocheav · 21 December 2016]

If you're looking for a clean cut family film with lots of symbolic undertones (good messages) then "Legend" could serve the purpose. It offers good location filming, some very good actors amongst what seems like a mostly amateur cast. The real star of this piece is most certainly the music score by respected composer Kevin Kiner. Mr Kiner's written several moving pieces all treated to unexpectedly lush orchestral arrangements. Some good ethnic pop songs also help to set the scene.

Director of photography is the highly regarded New Zealander Allen Guilford and features some very good looking locations. The film is directed and edited by first time feature director Stephen Ramirez. It won't please hard bitten audiences but anyone looking for the style of matinée movie from yesteryear should be fairly well pleased (although the girls unpleasant drunkard father could be seen as a tad unsettling for some). This movie is an extended version of an earlier short film (Johnny Lingo 1969) from a story by Pat Mcgerr. Seen better - but sure seen worse! (just off the cuff, the promo posters don't particularly suit this version)