Tron: Legacy
Posted on April 5, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Here’s all you need to know about the stars: Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner return as Kevin and Alan and their avatar/doubles, CLU and Tron. They are joined by Garrett Hedlund as Kevin’s son, Sam, and Olivia Wilde as Quorra, a resident of the alternate universe on the other side of a portal called The Grid.
Here’s all you need to know about the plot: Sam goes into The Grid looking for his father, there are some fights and races and chases and discussions of meta-reality and the perfection of imperfection, and some more chases.
Now, let’s get to what we’re really here for — the eye candy.
Twenty-eight years ago Disney released “Tron,” a sci-fi saga about two men sucked into a computer game. The plot was murky but the design was sharp and the computer-generated effects were innovative, and later received an Oscar for technical achievement. It was a modest success on release, inspired future Pixar wizard John Lasseter and led to some popular computer games. Its effects now seem quaintly primitive, but it is still remembered fondly by fanboys, gamers, and Comic-Con attendees.
Time for a sequel, with another great leap forward, technically, at least. Actually, it is many leaps forward, even past “Avatar,” whose envelope-pushing cameras they used — after they tricked them up a little more. And the technical term for what they have produced is: Wowza.
Fasten your seatbelts.
Kevin somehow lives in a preposterously zen apartment with a lot of gleaming surfaces and aerodynamic curves, everything in cool shades of gray, but on his shelves are old, high touch leather-bound books like Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island
In IMAX 3D you will feel like you, too, have entered the grid, as the screen shifts from 2D to 3D when Sam crosses through the portal. And in a way, you have, to a world where the imperfect may not be perfect, but it is fun to watch.
Great review, Nell! You make me want to see this movie, even though until now I had no interest in it. (And I’m not that crazy about 3-D.)
Alicia, I don’t think it’s your kind of movie, but you might enjoy it just for the experience, especially if you let go of the idea of the story and just drink in the design.
Just curious why the lowest recommended age is Middle School. I was considering taking my 6 year old son this weekend based on the parental reviews on IMDB ( we saw Last Airbender and Sourcerer’s Apprentice and those were okay for him ) and was just curious…
Every child is different, Bill, so trust your judgment. For me, this was a more intense and violent film than “Last Airbender” and “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” especially in 3D. If you take him, let me know how he handles it.
We just went to see it. Our 11 yr old and 7 yr old really liked it. Based on your review we saw it at the IMAX 3-D, which is rare for us. We really enjoyed the movie. Prior to seeing it, we first saw Tron at home. My husband saw it back in the 80’s but I never did. We wanted our kids to get a feel for it. I think that really help them appreciate it.
Call me crazy, but I think I saw a small homage to Star Wars in certain scences. Also, it was interesting seeing a 1980’s Jeff Bridges throughout the movie.
Thks for the review. We can always count on you.
Thanks so much, letin! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed the film and I am sure it helped that you watched the first one before going to see it. You’re right about the homage to “Star Wars” and other classic sci-fi films as well. I much appreciate your kind words and send all best wishes for a happy and healthy year for you and your family.