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.
Friday, December 17, 2010
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.
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