Tron: Legacy (2010)

In 1982 Disney released the film Tron, a movie about a man abducted into a computer world where he is forced to compete in death games in order to save his life. The movie was one of the first in the history of film to almost exclusively use computer graphics to create an alternative world. Tron captivated movie goers and generated enough attention to garner a cult following. Almost thirty years later, we finally have a sequel and it is a sight to behold!

This is easily one of my favorites of the 2010 campaign. It will be nominated for several Oscar's, namely in the special effects and perhaps sound categories. While it won't win anything for writing, direction, or acting, it will bring the legacy of Tron past cult status and into the mainstream. The French electronic music duo Daft Punk contributes a stellar soundtrack to compliment the dazzling computer generated world referred to as "the grid".

The story brings viewers into present time and into the life of Kevin Flynn's (Jeff Bridges) son Sam (Garrett Hedlund). He is living in the wake of his father's technological empire and is the reluctant heir apparent of his missing father. Sam goes to great lengths to thumb his nose at the board of directors of his inherited fortune as he struggles with the mystery of his father's disappearance. When Sam least expects it his dad's former business partner Alan Bradley, played by Bruce Boxleitner who played Tron in the first film, delivers him a message that he received a page from the old number at the arcade his dad had an office in. Curiosity takes Sam to the arcade to investigate. There he finds his fathers secret office below the arcade and the equipment that brought him to the grid. After accessing the software on the computer Sam inadvertently activates the transport device that brought his father into the grid. As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as Sam finds himself in the situation same as his father was, confused and fighting for his life. Shenanigan's ensue.

Tron: Legacy has already grossed well over $300 million dollars and if you haven't made your contribution, you should. It is a visually stunning movie that boasts Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges not only in the flesh as Kevin Flynn, but also a CGI character as C.L.U. the movies villain which happens to be a much younger version of Bridges. The CGI character was so convincing to me that it made me wonder when we would see Hollywood greats like John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn on screen again. Let me tell you people IT will happen someday.

Some of the weaknesses of the movie are script, character development, and length. If you know nothing of the previous movie it is a little bit difficult to get a proper feel for the events that are happening. The movie doesn't have clever or witty dialogue and it doesn't really challenge you mentally. And at slightly over two hours long, the plot gets worn thin.

Recommendation: Go see this movie in theaters while there is still a chance! It will be quite the experience and a movie for all ages. There isn't much bad language and the violence is non-visceral in nature. Thanks Disney for finally doing this and would you please get the original film out on Blu-Ray? I mean it is on sale on Amazon.com brand new on DVD for...$80!! Yea that's right folks, $80! Please expedite that request Disney because Walt's turning over in his grave!