When I watched Steven Lisberger's sci-fi adventure recently in preparation for the release of its belated sequel, it appeared incredibly dated, with the visual effects now looking very creaky, and the lack of a strong storyline or characters making for a dull viewing experience. However, the film still possesses one memorable sequence, the light-cycle race, and at the very least, its then-groundbreaking attempt to engage with the newfangled world of computers has the feel of filmmakers trying to give their audience something new. Plot sequences and characters were briefly introduced and promptly forgotten, a theme that continued to the sequel (i.e. Bit, gladiator games, and the only woman in the film kissed two men within 5 minutes). TRON is not a good film, but it was a bold one with fresh ideas and a unique style, and that alone is enough to set the bar at a level that TRON: Legacy doesn't come close to reaching.
Almost everything that exists in TRON: Legacy has been lifted from another film, and the filmmakers appear to be gambling everything on their shiny presentation being enough to paper over the cracks. It isn't enough to make the film stand out, however director Joseph Kosinski does have one fairly brilliant idea up his sleeve, with the opening "real world" sequences of TRON: Legacy being shot in 2D before 3D is introduced as we move into the computer world. I guess this is the 21st century update on the way color was used in films like The Wizard of Oz.
I went to this film with my best friend Addam, one of few diehard TRON supporters. I think he knew the movie would be made before the writers did. We even had matching light disks to clash horribly with our 3D glasses. As such, our excitement levels were at peak capacity when we walked into the shadiest theater this side of Reading with about 20 other viewers. Apparently no one told this town it was opening night. Throughout the film, we found enough amusement in our side conversations to cover for whatever was lacking in plot or dialogue. It was, in essence, our own personalized Mystery Science Theater 3000 viewing party. If the movie was bad, we were having too much fun to notice. In fact my largest complaint was that there was still no sign of the orange that was sent to the grid during the opening sequences of the original. And I still want a light-cycle.
But how could a movie even come close to "bad" when Daft Punk composed the soundtrack? I'm convinced they even made an appearance in the movie, though this is up for debate. It was certainly an upgrade from the digitalized soundtrack of the original. In my opinion, can't go wrong with digitechno.
When making the decision to see TRON: Legacy... don't listen to me. Decide for yourselves, but take someone with a sense of humor. And for god's sake, pay the extra three bucks to see the fucking thing in 3D!
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