TRON: Legacy (2010)

The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid.

Director:

Joseph Kosinski

Writers:

Edward Kitsis (screenplay), Adam Horowitz (screenplay),

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Kevin Flynn / Clu
Garrett Hedlund	...	Sam Flynn
Olivia Wilde	...	Quorra
Bruce Boxleitner	...	Alan Bradley / Tron
James Frain	...	Jarvis
Beau Garrett	...	Gem
Michael Sheen	...	Castor / Zuse
Anis Cheurfa	...	Rinzler
Serinda Swan	...	Siren #2
Yaya Alafia	...	Siren #3 (as Yaya DaCosta)
Elizabeth Mathis	...	Siren #4
Kis Yurij	...	Half Faced Man (as Yurij Kis)
Conrad Coates	...	Bartik
Daft Punk	...	Masked DJ's
Ron Selmour	...	Chattering Homeless Man

Storyline

Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

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Plot Keywords:

arcade | disappearance | contest | warrior | prank | 

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Taglines:

The Game Has Changed.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

ENCOM International Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

TR2N

Filming Locations:

1150 S Olive St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$170,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,970,692 (UK) (17 December 2010)

Gross:

$172,051,787 (USA) (8 April 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Sean Bailey Productions, LivePlanet

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A notable absence in this sequel are the tanks, but you can still see a sort of cameo by one of them on the street below after Sam is first captured and a second time in the background when he returns to the city in the vintage light-cycle.

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Goofs

During the opening sequence, the camera flies from the downtown area of the city, across the bay, to Flynn's house, and into Sam Flynn's bedroom. Thus, his bedroom window should face the skyline of the city. However, when he looks out of his window, there are no buildings visible.

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Quotes

Kevin Flynn: It's all in the wrists.

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Crazy Credits

At the beginning of the movie, the title only says "TRON". Not until during the ending credits does the name "Legacy" get included in the title when it reappears.

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Connections

Referenced in Conan: A Quantum of Kwanzaa (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Separate Ways"
Written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain
Performed by Journey
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

User Reviews

A dazzling and spectacular special effects extravaganza, despite its flaws.

Right off the bat I'm going to say that I didn't see the first film. Obviously I've heard from a lot of people saying that they need to see the first film before watching this one, seeing as this is a direct sequel to a nearly 30 year old cult sci-fi film. But, seeing that I didn't have time, I decided to watch the sequel anyway.

Now keep in mind that Disney took a HUGE risk in making a sequel to a movie that is not very often talked about when it comes to movies as opposed to many blockbusters today. The first TRON had no famous franchise to speak of (apart from the real games inspired by it). Adding to the danger is the film's budget - reportedly between US$ 200

• 300 million. With that kind of money you'll wonder what exactly was

Disney hoping for with this film.

Nevermind the fact that the story is a bit unfocused and could be rounded up in a more polished way. Nevermind too that the fantastic world and great ideas aren't expanded upon some more, as well as the fact that the script could use a little bit more originality.

Also, not forgetting some good (in Jeff Bridges' case, great as always as he plays two very different characters with perfect emotional resonance - proving that he still has the chops to carry a big movie) performances by the cast - with Garrett Hedlund showing great leading man potential and Olivia Wilde looking great and cute to boot. Michael Sheen, Beau Garrett and Bruce Boxleitner (apparently returning to his role from the first film, so it seems) all give good support.

No sir-ee, what you pay for - and what you get in spades - are the special/visual effects. Goodness me, this is quite possibly the best special effects I've seen all year, and that's saying something. I have to admit though, the CGI that makes Jeff Bridges young look jarring, but that is overshadowed by the compelling, groundbreaking special/visual effects that really bring you into the cybernetic world. Who doesn't want to take a ride on one of those fantastic, futuristic vehicles? Who doesn't want those awesome light-cycles or one of those dueling/data discs? It is possible that, like "Avatar" a year ago, this film can be a game-changer for special/visual effects alone.

It's a real treat for the eyes, and it's even better in 3D which is splendidly used to flesh out the dimensions and graphics of the cyber world bring you even deeper into the world instead of things merely flying out to you and post-production conversion like in SO many 3D movies (Note that in the 3D version, there's a disclaimer before the film starts, saying that parts of the film are filmed in both natural 2D and 3D as they way they should be. Just so you know, this shows that the filmmakers care for what they want to give you).

Very ambitious architect-and-designer-turned-first-time-filmmaker Joseph Kosinski hit a home run with this film, crafting an extraordinary and spellbinding world of escapism that looks slick, stylish and extremely cool to watch. Kosinski and the production team fill the cyber world with heaps of imagination and the result is what you see on screen. And here I thought Hollywood would recycle certain design patterns (plot patterns still need work though). Kosinski is a truly visionary filmmaker that one really has to keep an eye on.

The production design is on par with the special effects, it is nothing short of spectacular and perfect. The cinematography which is big and wide and best of all NOT shaky allows you to savor every moment of SFX goodness. The superb sound effects serve to complement the visuals and the electronic world, and all for the better. Daft Punk's varying but atmospheric electronic/orchestral score all but suits the film's mood perfectly with its techno beats and soaring string during moments.

Overall, this is perhaps a fine way to end the blockbuster season of 2010, and this is a definite must watch for all looking for an escape. The special effects alone are worth the price of TWO movie tickets, and with that I say, give this one a try, even if you haven't seen the first one. It aims to entertain and to dazzle the audience, and it succeeds brilliantly. Excuse me while I rent the first one now.

Overall rating: 75/100