Tron Legacy

Tron Legacy is an amazing sequel to the original film filled with dazzling technological special effects and jaw dropping action sequences. Although the movie starts out in 1989, it is important to note that original Tron was released in 1982. Out of all the high tech action and pyrotechnic displays, perhaps the most notable and incredible special effect, is the ability to make Jeff Bridges look the same age he was when the original movie came out. 

Jeff Bridges as the ageless Clu

In fact, the movie goes out of its way to recapture the look and feel of the 1980s with low-res faded flashbacks, a booming techno music score and some 80s lingo. It has been many, many years since I saw the original Tron and the sequel does its best through a series of flashbacks to fill in all the gaps. 

Jeff Bridges as the aged Kevin Flynn

In addition to Jeff Bridges as both a young (Clu) and older version (Kevin Flynn), Tron Legacy also stars Garrett Hedlund as Sam Flynn, Olivia Wilde (the enigmatic 13 from House M.D. who up and disappeared off the show. It's good to see what she's been up to.) as Quorra and Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5) reprising his role as Alan Bradley / Tron. 

Olivia Wilde as Quorra

For 21 years, Kevin Flynn has been trapped in a digital universe, unable to return home due to his own creation, Clu. He left behind his young son Sam who for years thought he had been abandoned. Now in his mid-20s and a lone rebel who refuses to take up his father's mantle, he balks at the idea to take control of the Encom empire his father left behind. Sam's mentor and surrogate father figure Alan Bradley comes to his apartment with a message that he received a page from a number at his father's old arcade. It here that Sam discovers a secret lab hidden beneath the arcade.  Unexpectedly digitized by initiating a series of commands on his father computer, he ends up in the digital world where the adventure begins. 

Garrett Hedlund as Sam Flynn

Although there are some slow moments in the movie when the action hits pause and teters on the brink of boredom, for the most part, Tron Legacy is a roller coaster ride. It is especially fulfilling at the end when the elder Flynn shows the true extent of his abilities. What was missing for me was having Sam Flynn be some sort of prodigy where he could manipulate the digital world like his father and perhaps surpass him in that regard. At best he was able to pull off death-defying stunts based on his own misadventures on Earth.  

The Light Cycle match with contemporary CGI tech was astounding.  I marveled at the liquid-like crystalline aspect of the digital life forms. I left the theater thoroughly entertained and I definitely recommend Tron Legacy. Out of 5 fingers I give it 4.5.