This one has a far better plot than the original and everything else is also improved slightly. I don't get why everyone was bitching about it when it came out.
Fantastic film music! :)
[7.7/10] The original Tron is a film with a generic story, bolstered by a unique premise and impressive imagery. If you strip away the things that made the 1982 film distinct upon its release but dated today -- its “inside a computer” setting and its graphical wizardry -- you’re left with a pretty stale and standard fantasy tale with flat characters.
I was ready to count Tron: Legacy as a success on the same terms. At first blush, the basic plot here is nothing to write home about. Sam Flynn is the seemingly orphaned son of the original protagonist, rife with the usual set of daddy issues, teasing the modern version of ENCOM that’s being run as a mercenary corporation, which old hand Alan Bradley grouses about as a departure from Kevin Flynn’s ideals. The ensuing “find your father” quest and return to “The Grid” feels inevitable and bog standard.
But even if that’s all Tron: Legacy had to offer before diving into its new digital world, it would have been enough, thanks to the exquisite texture of the film. I’ll confess that while I can intellectually appreciate how the graphic of the previous Tron would wow people in 1982, it didn’t do much for me in the modern day, when CGI effects are a dime a dozen and kids who’ve grown up since then have become inured to them.
And yet, that’s what makes Tron: Legacy so impressive. It’s not as though it’s on the cutting edge of visual effects like its predecessor was, nor can it coast on the novelty of leaping inside a computer (something its very existence as a sequel prevents on its own). Despite that, it’s stunning to watch as an aesthetic achievement, taking the look and feel of its 1982 forbear and translating it to the modern age with such creativity and awe.
Let me speak plainly: everything in Tron: Legacy looks and sounds really, really cool. There may be no greater synergy between musician and film than Daft Punk providing the soundtrack for a Tron movie. What’s more, director Joseph Kosinki and his team take the “neon lights on monochrome backgrounds” vibe and take it to the next level.
There’s something unspeakably stylish about the ships and outfits and blacklight aesthetic packed into every frame and design. The good guys and bad guys (and their vehicles and tech) are color-coded for your convenience, but there’s a sleekness and greater scope to everything that makes this feel like an extension and advancement of the original film rather than just a retread.
The same approach works for the other parts of Tron that have become lodged in the popular consciousness since 1982. There is another game of identity disk jai alai, but it’s done up to eleven with ricocheting discus fire and parkour moves that become the default movement throughout the film. There is the inevitable light-cycle race, only this time, the competitors race along multiple levels with multiple players, heightening the complexity and visual panache of the set piece. Even the homage paid to the iconic poster comes at an appropriate time and an appropriate way, sending our hero back from whence he came while evoking his connection to the past.
The one exception is the efforts to de-age Jeff Bridges, which end up falling squarely into the Uncanny Valley. The good news is that in a computerized world, that totally works! Sure, it’s a little awkward in the few scenes where we see young Kevin Flynn in the real world, but for the most part, the ageless version of Bridges is supposed to be CLU, his villainous digital equivalent, to where the aesthetic eeriness not only makes sense since CLU is a virtual copy, but adds something to his menace as the antagonist. It works in the same way much of the film’s visual choices do -- nothing approaching realism, but in a way that doesn’t matter given the setting and the sheer awe the film evokes with its designs.
It doesn’t hurt that Bridges gives a much better performance here than he did in the original picture, which is doubly impressive since he’s acting for two here. His de-aged take on CLU is menacing and smug in the way a being who feels he’s surpassed his creator ought to be. And the real Kevin Flynn, reimagined as a zen-spouting hippie who regrets his actions, both works as an extension of Bridges’s public persona, but adds some philosophical and emotional weight to the film.
Unfortunately, outside of Bridges, characterization is the weakness that Tron: Legacy shares with the film that spawned it. Sadly, Garret Hedlund is a big charisma vacuum at the center of the movie, but it’s hard to know how much of that should be attributed to an unconvincing performance versus the way he’s written as a generic action movie protagonist with daddy issues. He certainly seems more like the rich kid bullying people at his high school than the likable orphan who just wants his dad back, but the script does him no favors.
It’s a pathology that infects the rest of the film, only saved by some performances that elevate the characters beyond the material. Quorra, the secret “ISO” who’s being trained by Kevin Flynn, is the latest in a long line of underwritten female parts, but Oliva Wilde shows some sparks of humanity that make the character more memorable than she ought to be. The evil version of Tron is, much like his predecessor, underbaked by skating by on coolness alone.
The poster child for this “performer over character” is Michael Sheen’s Castor, a wildcard in the battle between CLU’s hegemony and a burgeoning resistance. There’s not much to him on paper, but holy hell is Sheen having an infectious level of fun here, vamping it up the whole time. He’s part David Bowie and part Joel Grey here, holding court with verve and whimsy in a way that makes him instantly stand out.
But despite the thinly-drawn characters and generic “We have to escape to save the world from this oppressive force” plot, there’s some unassuming depth to Tron: Legacy. The film is, at heart, a story of people reckoning with their creator. That’s personified by the three offspring, more or less, of Kevin Flynn.
The first, obviously, is Sam, Kevin’s biological son, whose development has been plainly affected by his father’s absence, and whose arc comes when he self-actualizes and reasserts himself in the real world when he learns that his father didn’t abandon him and, in fact, sacrifices himself to save him. It’s not super compelling, given how flat Sam feels as our protagonist, but it’s enough to pass muster, especially when Bridges is carrying their scenes together.
Sam’s counterpart is CLU, another being created in Kevin’s image, but one who resents the man who made him rather than misses him. CLU takes his “create the perfect system” mission to Asimov-like extremes, eventually turning on Kevin and Tron in the process. But the substance comes in conjunction with the vague notion of Users as gods from the 1982 film, with CLU representing a “God is dead” rejection of that notion and desire to overcome the “cage” he feels he and his kind have been placed in by their creation.
Somewhere in between is Quorra, a member of a new digital species that Kevin didn’t create exactly, but which emerged naturally and spontaneously from the conditions he created, there to revolutionize the world. There’s cosmological significance to all of this, adding an undercurrent of commentary on creation and legacy that adds ballast to the film’s dayglo adventures.
Hell, Tron: Legacy even presages Star Wars: The Last Jedi in its framing of Kevin as something of a chastened Jedi Master here, still capable of great feats but more apt to remove himself from the situation than try to rectify the fascism that’s overtaken the world. He apologizes to the villain and creates the opportunity for his erstwhile students to escape and surpass him in the process, a surprisingly touching moment given the light characterization and clichés that preceded it.
It’s ironic, because much of Tron: Legacy feels indebted to Star Wars from the turret-blasting dogfights, to the duels between glowing weapon-wielding masters, to the omnipresent daddy issues that suffuse everything. It also returns the favor and borrows a great deal from The Matrix, not just in terms of style, but in the sense of a dystopian digital ecosystem replete with oppressive forces and half-magic/half-philosophical counterparts and scenery-chewing wildcards in the mix.
That’s the stunning thing about this film. It synthesizes its various influences, including the original movie, into something that fits a modern approach and advances from where its predecessors left off. There’s still plenty of clichés and empty calorie moments of spectacle, but those moments wow, and Kosinksi adds just enough weight to the proceedings for these events to feel meaningful on their own terms. Late sequels are a tricky business, but with its brilliant texture, tasteful homage, and contemplative take on creation, Tron: Legacy is the upgrade we’ve been waiting for.
This movie shows there can be a great ending without hollywood kisses ;)
Such a good movie. The soundtrack alone makes it worthy of a watch.
Was great watching this film again earlier, the production is flawless. I am just sad that there will not be a follow up movie, well...for now at least!
I remember one critic saying Tron Legacy is more of a amusement park ride than a movie. The movie isn't strong on plot but it is visually stunning with a fine cast.
The Daft Punk score is fabulous as well. While Michael Sheen is a show stealer and should have been in more of the movie. Olivia Wilde is hot and at her best too.
SFX and soundtrack made the film captivating. However without much effort at all, the once-loved Science Fiction classic that touched the ideas of Creation with a subtle hand, was bitch slapped into a full blown biblical dramatisation. Interesting and thought provoking, but the not-so subtle religious subtext annoyed me.
I really hope Disney come to their senses and make another TRON movie! This and the animated series were mind blowing awesome!
Visuals and Daft Punks OST sold this movie to me. Awesome.
The premise is good: experience life inside an arcade game.
The story was terrible: lots of plotholes, unfinished storylines, characters suddenly disappearing, solutions coming from nowhere, it made no sense at all.
The 'deeper meaning' was poorly brought: questions about perfection, uniqueness, daddy issues and human nature were briefly introduced, but left virtually untouched.
The acting was reasonable: at times The Dude annoyed me, but the actors did their best to make as much out of the horrible story as they could.
The atmosphere was good: if you can get over the fact that the world inside the arcade game looks like a neon/victorian clash with futuristic vehicles, it sticks with that consequently and sucks you in.
Music: awesome and very appropriate!
Special effects: just amazing! Loved the bikes, ships, etc.
Summary: Standard blockbuster, watch it for amazing visuals/sound and lots of action, but (as usual) turn your brain off before watching.
uhh i thought that watching this one would clear up the original for me, but its worse!
It looks cool and stuff, but without the music its completely forgettable. I've seen it when it was new and after years i remembered only music and cgi jeff "uncanny valley" bridges.
While this looks fantastic on Blu-Ray and has some great effects, the story is lackluster. It's all flash and little substance. Maybe I can't get past my general dislike of the Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) character and what I interpret as his super-ego. The relationship between Flynn and his son Sam doesn't have the strength that I believe it would take for Sam to go through what he does to find his father. I was also very bored both times I watched it.
This is science fiction and I love science fiction. This should be mind-blowing for me, but it's not.
You're messing with my zen thing - said the old father Jedi.
1.) 1hour before you're watching Tron and then Tron Legacy, all you can think about is soon you'll be as old as jeff bridges.
Very dark and gritty for a Disney movie
I had a good time watching it. It's just plain fun!
Is it a movie I'll watch a thousand times.. probably not. But it's definitely not a movie I regret watching (I'm looking at you, "The Happening").
Felt like the kid I was when watching the original TRON. Hate that a lot of plot points and details are scattered in different media and at some point you could say it was a dumb down version for this new generation of moviegoers. Simple but cool facts like Flynn staying inside the grid for 1200 years or the background for the ISOs are really thin.
All in all, great sequel that doesn't destroy the original but improves it.
Definitely not a movie for newcomers or film critic wannabes.
To tell the truth I wasn't expecting much, but I came away highly impressed. Amazing soundtrack and visual aesthetics. It all seamlessly combines to be one for the generations.
This is fantasy sci-fi, and a good degree of suspension of disbelief is required. Once you leave you’re highly tuned scientific mind at the door…..come in for something special.
An under-rated visually stunning ride with a great musical score.
I enjoyed the first tron a lot more. But this is coming from an I.T. person. I liked that they talked so much about programs and codes. In this one they shied away from it so much.
Huuuh ughh ehhhhh ugggghhhhaaarrrrggghhhh ppppphhhrrrrtttttt!!!!... ahhhhh better
I never have a problem watching this movie time and time again, mind you the soundtrack which is stunning doesn't hurt at all and the Blu-ray is gorgeous.
The soundtrack is one of the best I ever seen. Just amazing. The movie by itself it was pretty good as well. (I didn't watch the original)
I never seen the original Tron.
I quite enjoyed this movie, and I think it was pretty good.
PS. The soundtrack of this movie is awesome.
Very, very beautiful movie.
But the story... ehm - not so good.
Even 13 years later this movie is a treat to watch, especially in 3D. The visuals hold up so well, the story is epic and the soundtrack is out of this world. Definitely one of my favorite movies.
A fantastic remake of the original. The story is so cool and unique as it follows a young man who lost his father at a young age mysteriously, and how he is skating through life and having nothing to do with his father's giant video game company where he has the biggest share. But when a mysterious call from the dead (missing) reaches him, a journey to an weird gaming universe is afoot. The set up and plot development is on par. The mysterious plot twists make the audience cling to the edge of their seat in this daring journey.
Most underrated movie of the 21st century!
I loved it as a kid and still love it today.
Especially the Soundtrack is just mind blowing to hear.
Much better than the original. The CGI has obviously significantly improved and this is much more interesting to watch (the story is still silly on so many levels but that isn't really avoidable and fine as long as it is fun to watch). The soundtrack is amazing, especially during the intro and at the "End of Line" club scenes (Daft Punk cameo <3). I really like the Cyberpunk inspired art style (dark / at night with neon lights and futuristic designs). Quorra is by far my favorite character (might even be better if she was more badass and less naive). This is also one of the few movies that gets the computer scenes almost right (using a Unix like environment and many real shell commands). I must admit that this movie also has my favorite motorcycle scenes (the Ducati at the beginning and the light cycles are obviously nice as well).
A massive upgrade on the first film, at least for someone like me who certainly doesn't enjoy the 1982 production.
'TRON: Legacy' is much more vibrant, developed and tangible. I actually formed a connection with the characters in this one, which is the complete opposite to the original. The special effects (bar the de-aging) are a vast improvement, which is to be expected in fairness; I love the look of this.
It's nice to get a proper view into the 'outside' lives of the protagonists, rather than receiving a tiny backstory before shoving them into the new universe; I appreciated the build-up to the eventual entry. The score is also terrific, even if it's strange hearing Daft Punk's "Outlands" due to my familiarity of it coming from Sky Sports UK's Formula 1 opening credits.
Garrett Hedlund is great in the role Sam, I enjoyed his performance from the get-go. Jeff Bridges is excellent too, I feel all the actors in general were given much more to work with in this one; I barely took notice of Bridges (& Co.) in the predecessor, but he stands out big here. Olivia Wilde and Michael Sheen are good, also. Cillian Murphy even makes a minute appearance.
It does, at least to me, feel like a very different film when compared to 'Tron', which may disappoint lovers of the latter but will be relief to opposing folk; e.g. me.
Wasn't sure what to expect from this, but thankfully it produces an entertaining time.
Great film.. Music is mind-blowing. Sets are fantastic.. If you liked Tron, this will blow you away
The special effects in this movie was not only breathtaking, it was also eye-popping. Definitely worth spending the money on 3D blu-ray (if you're one of the few of us that still have one).
Completely underwhelming. The little potential it has is squandered in favor of convenience.
Maybe I'm one of the only ones, but I prefer the first movie. I feel that some things were missing and missed the opportunity to insert some things, for example 80s songs and more stunning scenes.
A spectacular visual experience to be taken with a pinch of salt!
This is the most technological movie I've ever seen. they really worked so hard to bring all kinds of technology of this century and put into this movie. You are transported to another world, another reality. because it is an innovation never seen before. That's incredible and amazing, congratulations.
Don't expect a great story with this one. I really enjoyed it for its awesome animation quality and fitting soundtrack.
The first was insane for it's time.
The second was better than i expected it to be and it didn't do a bad job continuing the original story. I wouldn't mind seeing the third continue from where this one left off.
Cool and awesome sequel!
I haven't seen the first Tron movie, but after having seen this movie I really don't want to, either - the concept was quite interesting in itself, but the execution was poorly done, with no taste at all, in my opinion. All the attention of the makers of this movie was pointed at the action, CGI and visual settings, which meant that the plot wasn't very good and seemed to have stayed in the same place even as the pace of the movie kept quickening along with the action-packed scenes. Disappointing.
Movie is OK.
But where the original Tron was outstanding, and at it´s time something special, Legacy doesn´t offer anything new. Today it´s just another CGI Movie. It doesn´t stand out in my opinion.
Don`t like the fact they put the Tron charakter in but choose to make him faceless despite the few scenes at the beginning. And the Clu charakter looked kind of weird. Supposed to look like a younger Flynn he seems more like an old one who had plastic surgery.
Ive seen the first tron, i own it on dvd also 20th anniversary i think it is. Seen the second one too own that one as well on blu ray. seen it 9 time so far that movie rules better than the first tron movie. first tron was ok but second one is better. :) Just look at my viewing score for Tron Legacy haha thatll tell ya i like that movie alot. LOL
Great visuals and great songs. The plot is forgetabble. Wins a 6/10 because of the style and music.
Never been a fan of the first tron movie (I found it kind of boring) so I was pleasantly surprised, that this movie was really enjoyable.
Great plot, Great characters, fantastic visuals, and great score. I really couldn't ask for more in a movie.
I did watch the original but was too young to enjoy it or remember it, I did however have fun watching this one.
The Movie has real grate graphics and sounds nice.
If u want to see some cool stuff and did not expect that much for your brain ...than this movie is something for you;)
Coming from somebody who hasn't watched the original... I think it's a pretty decent movie. What I loved most about it was the atmosphere. It really 'sucks you in' (I know ... lame lol). The visuals and the music are great. Acting isn't great imo ... Olivia Wilde & Jeff Bridges are great but the main actor ... meh. Still a lot better than Shia Lebouf though lol (now there is an actor who can screw up every movie where he's been cast as the lead).
So yup ... it's a great movie to see if you don't analyze and try to destroy the details. Just sit back & enjoy the ride. I don't think they attempted to do any more than that and imo they succeeded in their attempt :)
TRON legacy tied up some very dubious storyline points from the original into a really tight background for the story, even integrating the video-game tron 2.0. but the plotline died to a thousand cuts along the way and the storyline seemed jumpy and flawed.
taking a few notes from the matrix helped (shadowy enforcers, overtly "white" frenemies), but from the time the CGI stops being all out fantastic, the plot is compost.
As a movie, it's way too disney, adult concepts like genocide at a distance, strained father-son relationships, seem dull and absurd, casual deletion and gladiatorial combat were broadsides at despotism = perfection. etc. the music was great, redeeming. i think i saw daft punk in the DJ room as a caemo, which was nice.
would a TRON legacy/trilogy/game or series work if they 'invaded', terminator 3/transformers like ? actually, yeah. the plot is so weak that it could hide within TRON legacy pretty easily, i.e. CLU sending scouts, pages into the real world, etc.
Visual effects and sound are top notch, but story is unbelievable week.
great movie. Enjoyed the effects, music was great, and I bet there is going to be 3rd. You have to watch the first one to understand whats going on. I wish tron had a bigger role aswell.
watched it in 3d. visuals amazing, ost amazing, everywhere nostalgic items. unfortunately... plot average. yes, 1st part is definitely essential, though it cannot be the same, when you watch it right before (i watched it in the 1990 when computer stuff was a strange thing.).
@dunpealhunter:
the "masked dj's" are daft punk
Great movie! The special effects are amazing, spectacular, breath taking and awesome. The music is perfect, Daft Punk was the perfect match for this movie. And i am not sure, but i think they made a cameo appearance although you can never be sure with the helmets they are always wearing. To fully understand the movie you have to watch the first one witch i remember forgetting to do when the movie was starting. Overall i would say go see this movie while its still in the theaters, its so much better in 3d on the big screen.
Review by Pradipa PRBlockedParent2017-08-08T13:06:30Z
Striking visual and thrilling music with a rather weak plot and lack of engaging characters. Tron Legacy is a quest of "discovering long-lost father" and "getting back to reality" with a very shaky progression from beginning to the end.
The main question of the plot - the desire to perfection and admittance of imperfection - is never clearly explained. What constitute a "perfection" in a system or program? Why was The Grid "perfect"? Why was the ISOs imperfect - especially when they were thought to reshape our physical world? We get the characters shouting each other about perfection/imperfection but never get to know what it's like. This also brings us to the question of ISOs: who are they exactly, why and how can they bring changes to our physical world? The quest of bringing ISOs to the physical world is made like it's a big plot point, only to be never explained and just became a romance subplot for Sam, the main character.
The characters are not engaging. The plot revolves around tech wiz Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and Sam (Garrett Hedlund), a missing father and his son searching for him, but we don't get to see them interact enough to form a bond. There are a couple of scenes and dialogues trying to joint the relationship, but it hangs on there without a proper intertwining. And not let's speak of Quorra (Olivia Wilde), who seems to be there just for the sake of being a female character (barely see other females here) as Sam's romantic interest who, in a predictable move, turns out to be a monumental plot device - the ISO. They have a couple of dialogues, but it all feels a little too janky, especially with Sam never questioning why and how Quorra gets along with his father.
The tech simulation, neon lights city of The Grid is aesthetically very pleasing to see, and the film does very well in this. However, I'm a bit puzzled for quite some time to how its citizen would behave. If The Grid was just a program, why do they all behave so humanely? Intruders are not easily detected (unlike computer program), people get so easily emotional, with secret motives and can be deceived. Took a while for me to make sense of it - that this isn't really a program, but a simulated human city (which is pretty advanced considering the setting the movie takes place).
If you're just in for the visual and music, it's not bad at all - almost pleasing. But there isn't much to be experienced other than that.