TRON: Legacy

When TRON was released in 1982, I didn't really get it. While the visuals were intriguing, the story just didn't hold my attention the same way the awesome arcade game did. But looking back, the first TRON really was ahead of its time, predicting the rise of an open system not unlike the internet we all use today. By the end of the movie, the Master Control Program (MCP) was defeated and the future of the grid looked promising. But TRON: Legacy has a more pessimistic view of technology, showing how good intentions can go awry. In 1989, Kevin Flynn, creator of the grid, was trapped inside the TRON world, betrayed by his own creation, Clu. Fast forward to the present day, Flynn's now grown son Sam also gets trapped in the grid, meeting his father after more than 20 years. Reunited, father and son must find a way to stop Clu and escape the system. While the stage is set of a dramatic adventure, the movie doesn't quite play out like that. There's a lot of back story to cover, most of which is accomplished through flashback sequences. While this is necessary to fill-out the story, it really slows the pacing of the film. However, there are still plenty of great action sequences, my favorite being the light cycle battle at the beginning. But even the action sequences feel a bit long and tedious as the film approaches and surpasses the two hour mark. That isn't to say this is a boring movie. Fans of the original will love diving into the deep lore of the grid. But those with shorter attention spans will probably walk out of the theater yawning, despite the impressive production values. As a casual fan of the original, I enjoyed the movie. But it wasn't the epic I hoped for.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

The Harry Potter franchise is perhaps the finest example of serial story telling in film history. Really, can you think of anything else that comes close? This is the seventh film and there's still one left to go. While the earlier films were somewhat light and formulaic, director David Yates has done a masterful job of gradually shifting the tone since Order of the Phoenix. The bleak tone established at the end of Half-Blood Prince carries over immediately to Deathly Hollows as Harry and his friends are fugitives on the run from the usual dark forces. This is a welcome change-up from previous installments, though I sort of miss Hogwarts. One of the strongest sequences has Harry, Ron, and Hermione sneaking into the corrupt Ministry of Magic while donning some crafty disguises. The scene has all the pacing of a tense espionage film. Other parts feel more like a road movie, but without a car. Harry and friends are truly outcasts and spend most of their time in the wilderness, seeking out Voldemort's Horcruxes. Apparently these magical items must be destroyed to defeat he who must not be named. But despite the destruction of one Horcrux, the dark lord appears to be just as powerful as ever, as revealed in the final scene. For the most part, this film is a setup for the final confrontation between good and evil. But at no point does it feel like filler before the main event. There's a lot going on here, particularly when it comes to the development of the core trio the series has been following all these years. I've never read the books and have avoided spoilers as much as possible, so I really have no clue how this all will end. Looks like I'll have to wait a few more months.