Tron: Legacy

It's not highly likely to win many new converts, but for those who already like the original and want to see more of that world, it more than satisfies. The visuals are a wonderful evolution from Tron and the story of a father and son who have to make up for lost time is very touching. The CGI face they developed for Jeff Bridges is not perfect, but it works very well with just a few exceptions and I feel, for my own tastes, that they have actually bridged the uncanny valley with this one. Still a bit of work to get it perfect, but this one works as it is. Oh, and the score by Daft Punk is beautiful. The first thing my brother and I did after leaving the theater was buy the sound track on the way home. It's very suggestive of the original but with plenty of today's newer sensibilities mixed in.

I'd never seen the original 'Tron', nor did I really know much about it. I'd only heard the movie referenced in other things on occasion (like that one episode of The Simpsons where Homer's trapped in the Third Dimension and asks if anybody saw the movie 'Tron', and everyone answers "No". I was in the same boat as them). The previews for 'TRON: Legacy' looked visually stunning, and I'm happy to report it does not disappoint in that regard. Everything seen inside 'The Grid' is a wonder to behold/a visual feast. But is this the only good thing the film has going for it? Well...yes and no. As far as the characters/actors who portray them are concerned, Garrett Hedlund is decent as Sam Flynn. Yes, he has to utter some clunky dialogue along the way and is a bit stiff at times, but he serves the role well enough. At times he reminded me of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker (what with the pulling out of lightsabers...I mean discs, donning of cloaks, etc), though thankfully he's not half as bad as that guy.

Jeff Bridges gives a solid performance as Sam's dad, Kevin Flynn, and the father/son relationship he has with Sam is central to the film. The only thing that detracts from his performance is his character's digitized clone, Clu. No matter how hard they've tried to create a youthful-looking Jeff Bridges using computer magic, he *still* looks like a "cartoon" (as someone in the audience put it when I saw the movie at the theatre). While it's annoying, it would have at least been tolerable had it been limited to just the scenes inside The Grid (though it still would've raised the question of why he looked so fake while everyone else looked so real). However, the movie starts in the real world with a "young" Kevin Flynn telling his son the story of Tron/The Grid, and you can plainly tell the drastic difference between a real and fake Jeff Bridges. It's so obvious and very distracting.

Meanwhile, Olivia Wilde kicks butt and looks great doing it (in her neon light-up skintight catsuit and her asymmetrical wig) as the warrior, Quorra. She seems to be having WAY more fun with this role than she ever did in her role of Thirteen on the TV series House. Quorra's joyous laughter at odd times gives her an endearing quality, she has a slight naivety about her in regards to some things (which allows for some comedic moments) and displays a sense of childlike wonder (especially in the film's final shot). Wilde and Hedlund share some good scenes together, and her character at least gets *some* development...which is more than I can say for the albino-like "Siren", Gem (Beau Garrett, who looks visually interesting...but there doesn't seem to be much else going on with her). Faring better is Michael Sheen as as Castor/Zuse. While he does tend to "ham it up" a bit, at least he provides one of the film's more memorable performances.

Apart from the animation of Young Kevin Flynn, there are a couple of other 'minuses' of the film, like the dialogue (which at times isn't great) as well as the fact that the beginning is somewhat slow/kinda boring and things don't really get moving until we are transported along with Sam inside The Grid. However, once we're in there...the visuals most certainly make up for these minor quibbles. The movie looks STUNNING. There's the "games", which mostly seem to involve throwing discs (which resemble Xena's round killing thing) at each other, causing those who are hit to "derez" (ie. Cease to exist). Then there's the Light Cycles, Light Runners, and all modes of "Light" transportation which make for thrilling action/chase sequences. Another 'plus' of this film is its excellent score which adds SO much to the movie's atmosphere. While some fans of the original film may or may not like this one, for someone like myself (who this movie introduced to the 'Tron' world for the first time), it was quite entertaining and probably the best 'Tron' sequel you're ever going to get.

Right off the bat I'm going to say that I didn't see the first film. Obviously I've heard from a lot of people saying that they need to see the first film before watching this one, seeing as this is a direct sequel to a nearly 30 year old cult sci-fi film. But, seeing that I didn't have time, I decided to watch the sequel anyway.

Now keep in mind that Disney took a HUGE risk in making a sequel to a movie that is not very often talked about when it comes to movies as opposed to many blockbusters today. The first TRON had no famous franchise to speak of (apart from the real games inspired by it). Adding to the danger is the film's budget - reportedly between US$ 200 - 300 million. With that kind of money you'll wonder what exactly was Disney hoping for with this film.

Nevermind the fact that the story is a bit unfocused and could be rounded up in a more polished way. Nevermind too that the fantastic world and great ideas aren't expanded upon some more, as well as the fact that the script could use a little bit more originality.

Also, not forgetting some good (in Jeff Bridges' case, great as always as he plays two very different characters with perfect emotional resonance - proving that he still has the chops to carry a big movie) performances by the cast - with Garrett Hedlund showing great leading man potential and Olivia Wilde looking great and cute to boot. Michael Sheen, Beau Garrett and Bruce Boxleitner (apparently returning to his role from the first film, so it seems) all give good support.

No sir-ee, what you pay for - and what you get in spades - are the special/visual effects. Goodness me, this is quite possibly the best special effects I've seen all year, and that's saying something. I have to admit though, the CGI that makes Jeff Bridges young look jarring, but that is overshadowed by the compelling, groundbreaking special/visual effects that really bring you into the cybernetic world. Who doesn't want to take a ride on one of those fantastic, futuristic vehicles? Who doesn't want those awesome light-cycles or one of those dueling/data discs? It is possible that, like "Avatar" a year ago, this film can be a game-changer for special/visual effects alone.

It's a real treat for the eyes, and it's even better in 3D which is splendidly used to flesh out the dimensions and graphics of the cyber world bring you even deeper into the world instead of things merely flying out to you and post-production conversion like in SO many 3D movies (Note that in the 3D version, there's a disclaimer before the film starts, saying that parts of the film are filmed in both natural 2D and 3D as they way they should be. Just so you know, this shows that the filmmakers care for what they want to give you).

Very ambitious architect-and-designer-turned-first-time-filmmaker Joseph Kosinski hit a home run with this film, crafting an extraordinary and spellbinding world of escapism that looks slick, stylish and extremely cool to watch. Kosinski and the production team fill the cyber world with heaps of imagination and the result is what you see on screen. And here I thought Hollywood would recycle certain design patterns (plot patterns still need work though). Kosinski is a truly visionary filmmaker that one really has to keep an eye on.

The production design is on par with the special effects, it is nothing short of spectacular and perfect. The cinematography which is big and wide and best of all NOT shaky allows you to savor every moment of SFX goodness. The superb sound effects serve to complement the visuals and the electronic world, and all for the better. Daft Punk's varying but atmospheric electronic/orchestral score all but suits the film's mood perfectly with its techno beats and soaring string during moments.

Overall, this is perhaps a fine way to end the blockbuster season of 2010, and this is a definite must watch for all looking for an escape. The special effects alone are worth the price of TWO movie tickets, and with that I say, give this one a try, even if you haven't seen the first one. It aims to entertain and to dazzle the audience, and it succeeds brilliantly. Excuse me while I rent the first one now.

Overall rating: 75/100

This film is the best example of "style over substance", but wow, what substance. It has some of the best production design and soundtrack I have ever witnessed. Visually and aurally speaking, I would even call it a masterpiece. It is like no other techno-futuristic cyberspace I have ever seen depicted. However, it is let down by a dull main actor and an unpolished story that didn't fully convince me.

Everything about this film works. The visuals, writing, acting, everything. There are very few wrong things I can find with Tron, especially the soundtrack which is timeless even almost a decade later. I still remember watching this film in theaters and not regretting it at all. I highly recommend this film for fans of anything quality.

From the pacing to the cinematography this film is astoundingly well made, and truly deserves more recognition. It is timeless in every meaning of the word.