Tron: Legacy

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Tron: Legacy. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz. Screen Story by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Brian Klugman & Lee Sternthal. Based on characters created by Steven Lisberger & Bonnie MacBird

100th review countdown....#97

MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.

Runtime: 127 min

Cast

Jeff Bridges - Kevin Flynn / Clu

Garrett Hedlund - Sam Flynn

Olivia Wilde - Quorra

Bruce Boxleitner - Alan Bradley / Tron

James Frain - Jarvis

Beau Garrett - Gem

Michael Sheen - Castor / Zuse

28 years ago, the movie going public was treated to a very cheesy yet revolutionary sci fi film. The concept of Tron was very clever and ambitious. The execution however did not meet the expectations that the visuals placed in front of it. Fast forward almost 3 decades and we are given another ambitious visit to the Tron universe. Was it successful?

That depends on your opinion of the first film.

Set twenty plus years after the first film. Tron designer Kevin Flynn is missing and presumed dead. His son Sam now 27 is rejecting his destiny to take control of his father's company. Instead he plays games with the greedy board of directors by releasing the company's newest software for free on the Internet seconds before it goes on sale to the public. After some convincing from Kevin's partner Alan, Sam heads to his father's arcade to investigate a mysterious page sent by Flynn. Sam discovers a secret room that transports him into the grid (the computer world from the original Tron). Sam reunites with his father. He explains that he was held captive by the program he created (Clu) to facilitate and improve the grid world. Sam and Flynn spend the rest of the film reconnecting while trying to get home and dodge Clu's army of loyal program followers

Having virtually no memory of the original Tron. I went into this one with a blank slate. I have to say I was entertained. The special effects in this film are outrageous. The vibrancy of the colors blow you away. The action is highlighted by very detailed and precise movements. Since you are dealing with a computer generated world you aren't bound by the laws of reality. Tron: Legacy like it's predecessor takes full advantage of that fact and we as an audience are the beneficiaries of it.

Of course with a film loaded with effects and action sends up a red flag that the story suffers as a result. That's slightly the case here. The premise of the film is very very simple yet they try to make it complex and brainy. Not a good idea. Just give us guys flying around, riding their light cycles and fighting with their discs. That's what the movie is supposed to showcase. Don't complicate things by trying to make a film something it's not. Once I got past that little faux pas I enjoyed the film. One word of warning. Don;t expect to be blown away by the digital 3D a la Avatar. This was a major disappointment on that end. That went double for me since I sprung to see it in IMAX 3D.

On the 5 star scale. Tron; Legacy gets 3.5 stars with a "Go See It" recommendation.

You're not going to learn anything here. It's just mindless fun that was pretty slick to see.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is True Grit.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a very Happy New Year.

I'm going to dig my car out of 18 feet of snow now.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"