I Saw A Film Today… Tron: Legacy

If I have not made it clear yet, one of my favorite things in the world is a night at the cinema. And there is nothing better than the rare occasion when you have a theater all to yourself. No kids crying. No people talking loudly. No one moving around and being distracting. It’s just you and the movie, a time to forget your problems and just focus on what unfolds in front of you. This was the case for Tron: Legacy and it was certainly one of the more memorable movie experiences I’ve ever had.

*****************

In 1989, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is the CEO of ENCOM Int., one of the largest companies in the world. Then he disappears, Leaving his young son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) as controlling shareholder of his company.

Fast forward twenty years and Sam has little interest in the doings of ENCOM, except for his annual prank upon the company’s board meeting. After one of Sam’s stunts, A long-time board member named Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) gives him a visit. He tells Sam that he received a message on his pager from his father old arcade, even though the phone line has been dead for nearly twenty years.

Reluctant at first, Sam decides to visit the arcade. While there he discovers a hidden computer lab where is father had been working on his “revolutionary” idea. After activating the computer, Sam is mistakenly transported into “The Grid”, the electronic world his dad had been building.

Once there, Sam soon learns that this computer world is run by a rogue tyrannical program called Clu (a digital, younger Jeff Bridges). Sam escapes Clu’s grasp with the help of a program named Quorra (Olivia Wilde) and is finally reunited with his father. Now the race is on for the three to reach the portal that takes them home before it closes or Clu catches them.

I must say that Tron: Legacy really did deliver a unexpectantly hard punch. Going into the film with little expectations, I came out of it with a sense of excitement and thrill that only a film of this caliber can deliver. It’s story draws you into it’s odd world and never let’s go until the last credit rolls.

The visuals in this film are, quite simply put, amazing. The dark and sleek-looking Grid has the appearance of being cold yet as you sit watching you feel as if it is normal- comfortable and warm to the eye. Not to mention that the soundtrack by Daft Punk is outstanding. As someone pointed out, you can recognize certain scenes just by the music playing, which is something most films can’t say.

But a movie like Tron: Legacy is nothing without its performances and thankfully the cast is a talented group. As usual Jeff Bridges is top-notch as both Flynn and a digital Clu. But Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde shine bright alongside the talents of Bridges. Not to mention the brilliant Michael Sheen’s short but standout performance.

The only downside to this film is that the people behind it thought it necessary to release it in 3-D when in truth it doesn’t need this gimmickry. It’s visuals allow it to stand on its own and are only dulled (literally) by the 3-D technology. Do yourself a favor and see it in 2-D.

Verdict: SEE IT!

So have you seen Tron: Legacy? What did you think? Leave your comments and opinions below.