MOVIE REVIEW: "Tron: Legacy" 2010
It's a sad thing to see movies with sci-fi concepts before their time (like "Gamer" 2009, and even "Inception" 2010 [despite it's success]). Simply because they go under the radar for surpassing the scope of our current technological and scientific advancements. Yet for us chosen ones, who actually do catch on, and are cognizant of the full capabilities of these movies' implications; these movies become quite the cult classic.
The original "Tron" 1982, was in fact, way before my time (although I do remember my summer camp counselors playing it for us on VHS to kill time as we were building Lego's as kids). However, if the concept for "Tron: Legacy" is as before it's time as it is, I can only imagine how far ahead "Tron" was back then.
This movie was simply an ode to the previous one. Paying it's homage with modern, 21st century, cinematic effects to truly convey the feel that the original tried to do in 1982. And of course, waaaaay better acting.
Following the original, the son of a computer genius, and corporate tycoon, seeks fulfillment by debunking the launch of his father's former company's new product. The reason it's his father's former company is because his father has been missing and inactive; yet the son is still the majority shareholder. The son, now a vagabond living in a bay-side studio apartment, comes home to relax as he is confronted by his father's best friend (one of the original actors from the original movie who played the actual "Tron" character, Bruce Boxleitner), and informs him his "missing" father has tried to get in contact with him. In the son's curiosity, he investigates his father's old arcade shop and stumbles upon his father's office; which contains a device which transfers physical matter into digital matter (still in tact). He accidentally activates the device...AND IT'S DOWNHILL FROM THERE (sarcastically speaking)
I loved how the movie made conceptual juxtapositions in the story to make it relevant to today's audience. Bio-technology and medicine, politics and war, fathers and sons, philosophy and religion, technology and ethics. The concepts really go there. And for the typically vain action lover, yeah, this movie has plenty.
Other than that, this movie was a complete EYE-GASM!!! Everything lit up, hover crafts, light cycles and such. Aaaagh! It was just too much! It was like a Jules Verne wet dream!...(it helps that the director was an interior designer)
...and now for the actors:
The original "Tron" 1982, was in fact, way before my time (although I do remember my summer camp counselors playing it for us on VHS to kill time as we were building Lego's as kids). However, if the concept for "Tron: Legacy" is as before it's time as it is, I can only imagine how far ahead "Tron" was back then.
This movie was simply an ode to the previous one. Paying it's homage with modern, 21st century, cinematic effects to truly convey the feel that the original tried to do in 1982. And of course, waaaaay better acting.
Following the original, the son of a computer genius, and corporate tycoon, seeks fulfillment by debunking the launch of his father's former company's new product. The reason it's his father's former company is because his father has been missing and inactive; yet the son is still the majority shareholder. The son, now a vagabond living in a bay-side studio apartment, comes home to relax as he is confronted by his father's best friend (one of the original actors from the original movie who played the actual "Tron" character, Bruce Boxleitner), and informs him his "missing" father has tried to get in contact with him. In the son's curiosity, he investigates his father's old arcade shop and stumbles upon his father's office; which contains a device which transfers physical matter into digital matter (still in tact). He accidentally activates the device...AND IT'S DOWNHILL FROM THERE (sarcastically speaking)
I loved how the movie made conceptual juxtapositions in the story to make it relevant to today's audience. Bio-technology and medicine, politics and war, fathers and sons, philosophy and religion, technology and ethics. The concepts really go there. And for the typically vain action lover, yeah, this movie has plenty.
Other than that, this movie was a complete EYE-GASM!!! Everything lit up, hover crafts, light cycles and such. Aaaagh! It was just too much! It was like a Jules Verne wet dream!...(it helps that the director was an interior designer)
...and now for the actors:
- Jeff Bridges - ("Iron Man" 2008) A hefty resume. One of the original actors from "Tron" 1982. The father archetype character of the film who finds redemption through his rise from exile and his son's odyssey. He played this in his typical biker/hippie fashion. Relaxed, relate-able, yet intense, all at the same time. Him coming back for the authenticity was great, and the CG'd facial effects...MAJOR PLUS. Kudos!
- Garrett Hedlund - ("Friday Night Lights" 2004) The hero, the son, the protagonist. Drama-action acting happens to be his strong point, in his role as a son reunited with what he thought was his father. He fit this role very well as it also required much athleticism; as it did swagger, and emotion. Another good job.
- Olivia Wilde - ("The Change Up" 2011) This female co-star played bright eyed and bushy tailed survivor of a digital genocide, naive to the physical world yet apprentice to the tutelage of Jeff Bridges' "savior" character. Her lively persona really sold this role as an optimistic beacon of hope to a dreary story projection. Her action sequences were pretty fluid, however, I felt as though her fighting sequences lacked intensity and looked too choreographed...but she sold it.
The movie challenged my imagination in a literal sense, as to the possibility of physical matter being converted digitally and visa versa. I almost wanted to hop in a time machine and hug Steven Lisberger (the creator of the 1982 film) as he was at his desk, writing that film. I took this film as trying to teach us the reality of our own imagination. I was so compelled by the concept...simply because IT IS POSSIBLE.
As easy as it is to get carried away by the aesthetics pay attention to the plethora of messages this film has to offer. I won't even tell you to watch it more than once. You will have no choice.
Here's the trailer...
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