Movie Review - Tron: Legacy

Prepare to be Derezzed

Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn

Nearly 30 years after the original Tron hit theaters, first-time director Joseph Kosinski dazzles audiences with Tron: Legacy, a visual effects heavy film backed by a great soundtrack but burdened by some so-so acting.  The plot stands on its own for the most part, feeding off the mythos that the 1982 Tron created.  Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) leaves his son one night, promising him to show him the world he has created inside of the computer.  Fast forward 20 years, and Sam Flynn, now grown up, has been searching for his dad since he disappeared that night.  One night, Sam gets a message from a colleague of his fathers, saying he has been paged on an emergency line.  The source of the page from an old arcade his dad used to own.  Sam investigates, presses one too many buttons, and voila, he is sucked into The Grid, the digital world his father created.  The rest of the story is Sam teaming up with his father to destroy the evil programs that run rampant on The Grid.  I liked the story for the most part, especially since I am into technology, so I appreciated all the techno-babble in the movie.  When the story called for human emotion, however, my attention started to wane.  Some cliche moments and an uninteresting romantic sub-plot hold Tron: Legacy back from being completely well written.

The newly designed Light Cycle accentuated by light blue.

The same can't be said for the visuals, who, like the digital frontier they portray, bring the world of The Grid to life.  The art direction for the film is simply astonishing, mainly because of the care taken to craft the realm, and bring some believability to it.  I had read an article in a magazine last week, with an interview with the art team, which talked about how they wanted the designs to look functional as well as look appropriate for the Tron mythology.  They talked in-depth of every piece of the famous light cycles, and how they re-designed it for a modern audience, but still paid tribute to the original.  The light blue and  orange colors (signifying good and bad guys) that wrap around every piece of architecture, furniture, clothing, and vehicles in the film are never too bright, but gives each digital piece a place.  The lights bend and fold around certain parts of the pieces, highlighting the curves and surfaces of different structures.  It was fascinating to watch.  I did not screen this in 3D, but I have heard good things about it.  I didn't really feel the need for 3D while watching the film, but maybe it could warrant another run through.

While the plot was above average and the visuals were fantastic, the acting was mainly just so-so.  It was nice seeing Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) play his character with lines like "Right on!", since he has been trapped in the computer since the early 1980's and hasn't seen the world evolve and word lingo change.  I liked that we got to see Bridges as the good guy, and also as the bad guy in this film, giving the evil character Clu some nuance.  Garrett Hedlund, playing Sam, did a serviceable job.  I didn't really think he was that great in Four Brothers with Mark Walhberg a couple years ago.  I always thought he was the weakest link in that film.  Again, I feel the same way.  It just seems like he is in chill out mood, never really getting completely into the role.  But when he and Jeff Bridges share the screen, he starts to come out of his shell a little, actually improving.  There were also some surprises as well, such as Cillian Murphy (Inception, Batman Begins) in an uncredited role as a programmer at Flynn's old tech company.  Also, Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, The Damned United) has a role as a night club owner, which he seemed to have a lot of fun playing.

Daft Punk, as they appear in the film.

Finally, the Tron: Legacy soundtrack was simply brilliant.  Daft Punk, who scored the whole film, really outdid themselves on this film.  Their techno and electronica beats really combined well with the whole feel of the film.  Just as Trent Reznor did on The Social Network, they were able to create their own music that fit within the film as they saw fit.  I found myself in the theater getting goosebumps as the main theme faded in at the beginning of the film.  If the music can do that to me, I know I'm hearing something amazing.

Overall, Tron: Legacy was very entertaining to watch, especially all the eye candy throughout the movie.  While the acting could have been more, I was more interested in the world they have created.  From the thrilling light cycle chases to the pulsing soundtrack, I really was pulled into the world of The Grid.  Maybe it's time for you to experience it for yourself.

4 out of 5 Stars