The original Tron film is a cult classic but has dated badly in the years since so it was great to see Disney announce the long awaited sequel. Even better that Jeff Bridges had agreed to reprise his role as Flynn. It's amazing how this film was only given the green light by Disney after a test trailer was proved a major success at Comic-con. It was great to see the Comic-con fans rewarded by recording some audience chants that went into the final version of the film.Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) is still bitter about his father's disappearance but receives a message from his father's old friend which lures him to Kevin Flynn's old arcade. Sam is plunged into the computer world to fight Clu who Sam at first believes is his father.
This is a proper event movie with some of the best 3D you'll see but director Joseph Kosinski doesn't use it as a gimmick like other movies. Instead he uses the other dimension to show off the electronic world that Sam Flynn gets sucked into which happens at least 20 minutes into the movie. The original Tron was like nothing seen before in cinema when released in 1982. The same will probably be said about Tron: Legacy. It has cutting edge visuals that are unlike anything you've seen before. Obviously visual effects have improved greatly since 1982 with the computer world getting a beautiful makeover but still using light as the main focus point (bikes, suits, discs etc) The attempt to make a younger version of Jeff Bridge's Flynn is a effective one but occasionally falls short as Clu (young Jeff) gets the plastic sheen look over his eyes. It also has to be mentioned that Daft Punk did a great job with the film soundtrack. Not only is it great music but also adds to the atmosphere of the film. Brilliant.
Unfortunately the story doesn't live up to the rest of the film. Part of the problem is nothing really gets explained to the audience and it leaves you with more questions then answers. How was Clu going to invade Earth with his army? Why has Kevin Flynn changed from goofy geek in the original to a meditating yoga freak? Where did Kevin find a pig to cook a meal for his son in the computer world?? All these questions are never explained and thus detaches the audience from the story (apart from the question about the pig, that one just annoys me). It was also a shame to see the character Tron who was very important in the first film now become no more then a bit part player in the sequel. Maybe we'll get to see much more of him in the potential third movie. Tron: Legacy is a triumph in special effects, sound and 3D and should be applauded for it. It's just a shame the story doesn't match up.
0 comments:
Post a Comment