1982
a young upstart computer genius named Kevin Flynn(Jeff Bridges) was amazingly transported to a whole new world within cyber space when he incurs the wrath of a highly intelligent computer program named MCP(Master Computer Program) and is digitized into the ENCOM mainframe. Where with the help of a security program named TRON(Bruce Boxleitner) and a feisty program named Yori( Cindy Morgan)they fight back against the evil Sark(David Warner) and take back The Grid from his control.
1989
It has been seven years since Kevin Flynn had his amazing eye opening adventure in the world of The Grid, Flynn is now a CEO at ENCOM and is one of there best programmers. A legend and titan in the ways of gaming Flynn has constructed a completely new Grid far more advanced than the world he visited in "TRON"(1982) He has made a world that rivals that of the real world. He has even constructed a powerful program he has named CLU (also Jeff Bridges) to watch over and maintain the world he has created. One night while telling his son Sam about this new "digital frontier" he has created, he calls The Grid, a virtual domain existing inside his computer. Kevin tells Sam of the two programs that are helping him in his endeavor to perfect this beautiful world TRON and CLU; TRON is tasked with keeping The Grid secure while CLU is tasked with creating the perfect system. Flynn finishes regaling his story to his young son and departs to his office to work on his creation when that night he mysteriously vanishes without a trace.
2010
It has been more than twenty years since the disappearance of software innovator and computer wiz Kevin Flynn, almost twenty years since the gateway to The Grid has been opened. Now a new hero will rise to step foot into the world that has been long forgotten a world where the unimaginable is real, where there are no limits to what you can do. A young man is about to jump head first into a battle that has been ragging for the better part of twenty years between Creator and creation, between humans and programs. This is the continuing legacy of Kevin Flynn; this is the legacy of TRON.
"Tron Legacy" is what you would call pure eye candy with a heavy visual twist much like "The Matrix"(1998) and "Inception"(2010) the only thing that separates these two films from Legacy is there deep rooted stories groundbreaking visuals, thought provoking premises and phenomenal scripts from there respective directors. This sequel of the 1982 cult classic is rather simple stuff the screenplay by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis is dull with uninspired dialogue and a lack of real emotions. But what the screenplay lacks the sheer power of this visuals, action, story and the return of Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn greatly makes up for the lack of compelling dialogue in this film. First time director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda do a bang up job bringing this visually lush world to life breathing life into a rather lifeless film and in the process creating a fantastical film that literally jumps out of the screen. "Tron Legacy" is a massive improvement on the original in both visuals and style what the original lacked this absorbing sequel makes up for it with a high octane, bold adventure that is ripped right from the world of TRON, this film may lack compelling dialogue but it has just enough intelligence, style, charm and just enough well written dialogue to save this from being a disaster "Tron Legacy " is a magical in the sense of its wonder and excitement, in its visuals and its at times emotional father son tale at the heart of this film. This film is not one of the years best and it is nowhere near as good as any other high gloss Science Fiction adventure such as "The Matrix" or "Inception" but "Tron Legacy" proves to be one of the years most enjoyable popcorn adventure flicks and one of the most enjoyable film of this holiday season. I loved every minute of this wildly entertaining film.
To watch this film you have to leave you inhibitions at the door, you have to leave logic at the door and just sit back and enjoy the ride, which is what I did. I just sat back and enjoyed this film for what it is flaws and all and trust me when I say this movie has a boatload of them. To save this film the embarrassment I am going to restrain from naming them. However, I will name one the plot... the plot of this film is full of holes so big that you could stuff the whole digital world into it. That is not the point of this film that is not why it was made. If this film was made to be "Inception,” it would be but sadly, it is not. "Tron Legacy" is a great looking thrilling film that works despite the obvious flaws it has all the appeal of the 1982 supposed cult classic (which I did not like very much). What separates these two films is the upgrade in special effects and story. I know I shouldn't like this film as much as I should but I cannot help It I did this is a very enjoyable film and an excellent way to blow nearly two hours at the movies. This film is escapism at its very best a film where you can sit there and watch as your senses bombarded with visual excess and stylish execution. If you are looking for 1hr. 50 mins of pure unadulterated escapist fun than look no, further than "Tron Legacy" a summer blockbuster released in the winter.
Garrett Hedlund is not a great actor by any standards, hell he is not even a good actor by any standards but he is at least strong enough to hold this movie together and drive it to the finis. Hedlund portrays Sam Flynn the 27-year-old tech savvy son of genius software designer Kevin Flynn. Every year since he was old enough to care Sam has been giving ENCOM there share of grief for taking his father's company. Sam at best can be described as a narcissist and loner with the only friends he has are Allan Bradley and his dog Marvin but when Sam is transported into the world of The GRID he experiences a life changing experience. Sam Flynn at best is a stock character he lacks any originality or style to him Sam at best is nothing more than the A typical hero type who learns fast how to survive in The GRID. What is most frustrating is not the lack of originality it is the lack of emotion and effort on the part of the actor who is portraying Sam, Garrett Hedlund. Hedlund lacks any charm, style or sophistication or hell any acting skills for that matter for such a crucial part as this, I will say one good thing in his defense Hedlund gives it his all and that is what matters even if, sad to say, his all is not enough. Hedlund grates and grinds but he never annoys which is his one redeeming quality if there are any. The rest of the cast including Jeff Bridges(in a dual role), Olivia Wilde(who is outrageously sexy in this), Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen, Bruce Boxleitner and an exceptional cameo from Cillian Murphy as Edward Dillinger, Jr.(the son of the villain from the original film) all turn in fine supporting work in this high energy Sci-Fi adventure.
"Tron Legacy" will not win many over with its lack of originality, it's lack of a coherent plot or high grade acting(the worse being Hedlund the best coming from Bridges, Wilde and Sheen) this is a rather impressive piece of filmmaking. A fine debut for director Joseph Kosinski who shows he has an eye for filmmaking he just hasn't found his story yet. "Tron Legacy" is a visually arresting summer blockbuster that explodes off the screen in a fury of lights, energy and action this, and I might be in the minority here, is one of the most visually stunning entertaining films this year a true visual wonder and a delight to watch.
