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Like many fans of the original Tron (1982), I viewed the announcement of a sequel nearly three decades after the first instalment’s release with some trepidation, but also a quiet hope.
All starts well. We are quickly introduced to Kevin Flynn, a CGI-fuelled youthful version of Jeff Bridges, star of the original film. The effect, though hardly photo-real, is convincing enough to work. As in the original film, we are soon transported to the digital world in which Kevin’s son Sam must find a way to escape from the clutches of oppressive programs that put him through various brutal videogames.
Here is where Tron: Legacy shines: all of the old designs of the first film have been lovingly updated and polished to a glossy sheen. The art style rarely falls short of stunning. It is a true visual treat to see the new light cycles whizzing around an arena seemingly made of digital glass, or witness the balletic brutality of the new disc duels. Old favourite the recognizer in particular looks fantastic. If you haven’t seen the original Tron, you may not understand what I’m talking about, and this is a real issue with the new film. Few allowances are made for fresh viewers: you either understand what’s going on, or you’re left behind. This is glaringly obvious in a few places, such as when introducing the character of Tron himself: an entire subplot of the film has very little emotional resonance for viewers new to the series.
In fact, plotting in general is patchy in Tron: Legacy. At its core, the story is fairly simplistic. However, seemingly arbitrary complications arise frequently, making it convoluted and over-long. After the initial thrill of the grid games, the plot becomes far more sedate. The conclusion, when it eventually arrives, is remarkably unsatisfying, relying on a cheap, clichéd plot device.
Characterisation and acting don’t fare much better, unfortunately. Jeff Bridges is passable reprising his role as Kevin Flynn, although he perhaps overdoes the hacker-hippie characteristics of his original character. Garrett Hedlund is less successful as Sam Flynn, trying to play both a genius and a fighter, but falling somewhat short of both. Olivia Wilde does what she can with the part of Quorra, imbuing her with a childlike innocence in some scenes which works well as a contrast to the fights she partakes in. Michael Sheen manages to inject some much-needed flamboyance into proceedings with his portrayal of the David Bowie-esque Castor.
Soundtrack duties have been handed to electronic music wizards Daft Punk. Bass lines pulse and shift throughout fight scenes and most sections are handled excellently. They give the film a distinct character and flavour, though it may not be to everyone’s taste. The only issue I could find came in the form of the quieter scenes: Daft Punk is less adept at handling these, and dance rhythms in tender moments occasionally become distracting.
Tron: Legacy genuinely has some of the most fantastic visuals of 2010. It really is a treat in this department, and if you’re willing to forgive some plotting missteps it can be a lot of fun. I was left with the overwhelming feeling that with a few tweaks Tron: Legacy could have been one of the best films of 2010, and that leaves me with more than a quiet hope for the future of the franchise.
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