‘TRON: LEGACY’ (2010)

Seeing this sequel film was a total random happening. I was browsing iTunes one day trying to find some newbie movies to watch. Being a Disney film, I did figure this was a good bet. The story revolves around 27-year-old Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund). Reckless and living a life away from his father’s legacy, Sam’s father mysteriously disappears when he’s a young kid and hasn’t been heard of since. But that hasn’t stopped Sam from sabotaging the attempts to change his father’s vision made by the board members now controlling his father’s company. Then one night, a signal comes from an old warehouse owned by his father. Once there, Sam is put into a world his father’s bed time stories were made of. In this world, a battle for survival is set in motion. There Sam reunites with his father Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and teams up with Quorra (Olivia Wilde), the only hope he might have of escaping the world.  

TRON: Legacy follows the “original” film starring Jeff Bridges and seems to set up a decent story as a follow up to one of Disney’s 80’s era film. I never saw the original however while watching this, the story this invents does entertain. The cast also does a nice job adding some layers to an otherwise “robotic” world. From a cinematic perspective, the world is fascinating! I love the creativeness that goes into the making of the computer-program world. The sheer ingenuity is impressive and though it’s a “dark” place, I like the contrast and “sleek” designs. The costumes (which have a very short life-span – i.e. the lit-up trim) and disks (for defense) to the computer CGI (giving Bridges a younger appearance), the entire film’s effects are splendid. It “feels” like we’re living inside some sort of computer program, which is the goal. 

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The cast is fabulous, though I really haven’t seen Hedlund in much of anything. Bridges is the veteran talent (along with original cast member Bruce Boxleitner) and proves it, and then there’s Olivia. I love how she plays Quorra. Her curious wonderment about the world outside is sweet and fun to watch. Plus, though very understated, the ending ties into that and is also, really cute. Most films like this mostly have interest for the special effects. This film actually has some poignant, profound kind of moments. Even though it can be hard to justify this world with that of a serious, sacrificial event, Kevin’s sacrifices for his son shouldn’t be brushed aside or thought of any less than it is. It mirrors the best, truest kind of love and what it means to put that into motion. It’s not difficult to see it coming while we’re watching the film, but still it’s an important event and one that means something.   

Basically anyone can sum up this as a Huger Games-esque story only in a virtual world. There is a literal fight for survival with the eyes of an entire arena watching, and a tyrannical villain looking on. However, there’s not much of a romantic spark. If you like this one or films similar, there’s a sequel in-the-works arriving sometime in the next couple of years. This isn’t a favorite, but it’s impressive and keeps things moving (faster than I anticipate), but somehow on that same token, the film is overlong. If you like futuristic films or were a fan of the original, I suspect you’ll enjoy this. It has defined, interesting concepts. It’s just not a film I’ll watch over and over again.

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You can find TRON: Legacy digitally on Amazon Video

Have you seen TRON: Legacy? Did you like it? State your opinion in the comments below.