In 1982, 13 years before the boffins at Pixar revealed Toy Story to the world, Disney released Tron, Steven Lisbergers groundbreaking masterpiece. Part computer animation, part live action and wholly original, it followed the story of Kevin Flynn, played by a youthful Jeff Bridges, as a computer genius who’s work was stolen by a rival executive. Whilst trying to prove his innocence, he hacks into the mainframe, only to be transported by the over protective Master Control Programme into the grid, a computer world where programmes are slaughtered in digital gladiator arenas.Nearly 30 years later, Tron Legacy arrives. Creator and director Lisberger takes the producer role, letting newcomer Joseph Kosinski direct, incredibly his debut feature. With most revival movies or late sequels, I rarely wish that they’d bothered, but Tron Legacy is revisiting an idea that not only is more relevant now, but the technology has come so far as to enhance the story and expand the world created in the 80’s.Bridges returns to his role as Kevin Flynn, now much older and wiser, but also he had the challenge of revisiting Klu, his programme from the original, who is a C G I version of his younger self, making Jeff Bridges the first actor in history to play a younger version of himself. Although this was extremely clever there are a few shots which lead me to believe that this effect will date before too long.Kevin Flynn has been missing for years, and Flynn’s son, Sam, played by Garret Hedlund, is the heir to Flynn’s empire. Garret is believable in an unbelievable role. The son of Flynn seems more like the son of Batman to me, what with his leaping off of buildings and his spoilt rich brat mentality. Garret even has a Christian Bale quality to him.Sam Flynn receives a mysterious call and is summoned to his fathers old arcade, where he too is transported into the world behind the monitor. Bruce Boxleitner returns to his role as Alan, the creator of the Tron programme who he also played in the original, but he opts out of any of the online action in this sequel and just helps Bridges son locate his dad back on Earth.Once in the grid Sam is rescued by Olivia Wilde, Quorra, sexy in leather, and a sole survivor of a group of self created computer programmes that the evil Klu eradicated. With Flynn, the elder, she lives in exile from the tyranny of Klu’s regime and control of the grid. The evolution of Kevin Flynn – from fun living computer whiz kid to the God-like, robe-wearing prophet – doesn’t seem too unbelievable as Bridges has practically taken that evolutionary route in his own career.British actor, Michael Sheen plays Castor, a sinister, camp club owner. Whereas I usually enjoy watching Sheen act, in Tron Legacy, he annoyed me a little, a camp kind of character we have seen too much in various films, a kind of mix between Chris Tucker in the Fifth Element and David Bowie in Labyrinth.Tron Legacy plays like the Wizard Of Oz for the modern age, being filmed in 2D whilst back on earth, and then into 3d as we enter the amazing world of the grid. However great the effects are, I was not particularly impressed with the 3D in this movie, which was neither amazing nor was it groundbreaking. In fact it was hardly noticeable. The story was interesting, although it did seem to sag a little in the middle, but then if we’re honest, didn’t the original? Like the original, the best scenes are the light cycle scenes, but the plane chase at the end is also quite exhilarating.The character of Tron – yes, the title character – is barely a central character in this movie, and if anything his role in the movies finale made me laugh and seemed a little too rushed. Too much like a get out of jail free card to have an impact. That said, however, Tron Legacy was long awaited, and I believe that if you enjoyed the original, then there’s no harm in watching this sequel. It may be more plot than action for some younger viewers, but it hasn’t strayed too far from – nor tried to out rank – its predecessor.
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hagfilms
Heh guys - they say everyones a critic, and well, looking at this site then i guess they really are. I have always loved, or loved to hate movies, and have recently been reviewing films for my you tube channel, so feel free to check out my vids at www.youtube.com/hagfilms. I'm gonna be reviewing new, old, classics, abortions, you name it, theres gonna be a good chance that you'll find them, either here on my site or at youtube. so keep watching thank you please!
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A very well written review. I agree with every point you made. As a fan of the original, I was a little disappointed with how Tron (the characters) story played out in this renewed edition. I did enjoy the movie however. The effects were great, but as you mentioned, the 3D did little to add to the movie, at least not in the way of other 3D movies of late. It did little but add a sense of depth perception.
I think props should be given to Daft Punk for the soundtrack, which was great. Even though its set in the now, the soundtrack took you straight back to the eighties, a high five to the original movie. I loved it.