Like an eccentric game of laser tag, Tron: Legacy stands out with its neon costumes, streaks of light and special effects against the dark backdrop for most of the movie.
The film is a remake of the original Disney Tron movie, which was released in 1982 and also stars Bridges as Kevin Flynn.
The film’s motorcycle chase scenes and frisbee-like duels bring the viewer into Tron’s ‘The Grid’ world with lighting-quick speed and keep your eyes glued to the action throughout. Even if you’re not a sci-fi nerd who wears Star Trek pajamas to bed, Tron is sure to draw you in through its captivating action scenes or by the good-looking star of the film.
Much like Avatar, Tron transports the viewer into a digital world that is nothing like reality. The film’s star, Sam Flynn, played by actor Garrett Hedlund, ‘plugs’ into the digital world while on a mission to find his father who is played by Jeff Bridges. The young rebel enters the grid after being scanned by a laser connected to his father’s computer and is introduced to the cyber world and the human ‘programs’ who live in it.
But the movie loses its digital appeal when Sam meets Clu, a computer-generated replica of a younger Jeff Bridges. At first glance it appears that the technical producers were able to make Bridges look younger, but upon closer inspection, Clu’s limited range of motions stifle the viewer from believing that Clu poses as a real threat to Sam. Not only does the character look fake but his acting consists of a simple voiceover that has Clu yelling for most of the film.
After meeting Clu, the film continues and Sam eventually makes contact with his father who is living a Zen life in a Jetsons-type home. Viewers are also introduced to Quorra-played by Olivia Wilde who has made appearances in shows like The O.C.- who is a protégé of Sam’s father but becomes an ally to Sam.
Although the graphics and action scenes do take precedence in the current Tron film, the soundtrack to the film fails to add any dramatic elements to any of the scenes. The poor music choice stands out like a sore thumb in certain scenes, like when Sam enters the hidden office in his father’s arcade before being transported to Tron. In the background “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics can be heard booming from one of the machines and resonates as distracting background noise for what’s supposed to be a dramatic scene of discovery.
But even though the film’s soundtrack falls short of stellar, the amazing graphics alone draw us in but seeing Sam Flynn in a spandex suit too isn’t so bad either.
Tron:Legacy plays at the Aurora Theatre Thursday through Sunday (Feb. 10-13) at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
