Released 28 years after the original Tron, Tron: Legacy
is the eye popping sequel to the seminal 1982 film. While the first Tron was a bomb at the box office, thanks to being mired with a weak script and stilted pacing, it became a cult favorite during the intervening years on cable and home video. This was due in large part to the computer-generated special effects, which were cutting edge at that time. In this CGI-happy age of Hollywood, the decision was made by the Walt Disney brass to move ahead with the sequel, which takes place in the present day and focuses on Sam Flynn (Garret Hedlund), the only son of the first film’s Kevin Flynn, who mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago.
Sam is now the owner of Encom, the multi-media conglomerate that his father had
taken control of at the end of the first film. But instead of running the
corporation himself, the lone-wolf Sam stages a break-in into the company’s main
headquarters just as they’re about to unveil their latest product and
deliberately throws a monkey wrench into the proceedings. Why? Because Sam,
man…he’s got issues, you know? He’s a rocker and a rebel and an all-around
one-dimensional cardboard cutout of a character whose motivations are a complete
mystery, thanks to the lazy script. All we really need to know in these early
scenes is that Sam’s got base jumping skills, and can handle himself on a
motorcycle as well as in a fight.
Now that he’s been established as a geek-god superhero, Sam can go get zapped into Tron world. Much like the first film, the saving grace of Tron: Legacy is the visually stunning computer world, which now looks even more appealing, thanks to the advances in CGI effects that the filmmakers take full advantage of. The overall look is dazzling eye candy, and it’s far more dynamic and enthralling than the original film in this regard. The cyber-world is now a nightmarish fascist landscape with garish colors that intensify brightly during the battle scenes. And when people are de-rezzed, their bodies spectacularly burst open into scatter-shot clouds of pixels.
Tron Land is also slightly more progressive, now, with Olivia Wilde playing a
fearless female warrior named Quorra this time out who aids Sam in his quest. And
while she’s an alluring sight to behold (as is co-star Beau Garrett, who’s
appearing with Wilde here in their second film together), Michael Sheen is the
real stand out in the cast as Castor, the completely goofy owner of a night
club in Tron world. He’s quirky and funny, making the most of his short
appearance, as well as a prop cane. Tron: Legacy was a huge hit at the box office
(it actually made most of its money overseas), which hopefully will ensure further visits
to this dazzling techno-dreamscape--a place that might not make much sense,
story wise, but still offers a great view, nonetheless.
--SF
Main Review Page | SF Reviews |Email Me | Tron: Legacy (DVD)
