Tron: Legacy
Starring: Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Some films live to tell great stories. Grand adventures or personal tales. The original Tron was not one of these.
That was a film that pushed the boundaries of technology in the 80s, dragging a hokey story along with it, but dazzling with never before seen visual splendour.
And, just like it's lead character, Tron Legacy follows in its father's footsteps for better and for worse.
Tron Legacy follows Sam Flynn (Hedlund), son of the original film's hero Kevin (Bridges).
Sam, having been left by his father 20 years ago, finally gets a clue to find him, but ends up falling inside the virtual reality of Tron.
Here he's rescued by warrior program Quorra (Wilde), who re-unites a trapped father and son who must fight against evil program Clu (a digitally younger Bridges) who's trying to escape the game world and take over the real one.
If this all sounds a bit stupid, that's because it is. Too concerned with allegories and being too big for its own good, the film suffers from its goofy plot.
It's not helped by a generic turn by newcomer Hedlund, and a Jeff Bridges who at times seems as to be struggling with the clunky dialogue.
Olivia Wilde is an unexpected high though, bringing playful smiles and whimsy to a film that so often takes itself too seriously.
All of this is forgiven though, simply by looking at the beast. This is easily one of the most visually dazzling films of the year both in and out of the reality.
The outside world broods and but the magic really begins on the game grid.
Here colours dazzle, crisp lights cut through the dark, the great 3D kicks in and Tron Legacy looks like nothing else committed to celluloid. All held together with (mostly) fantastic special effects, it really is a beauty to behold.
And that's not even the best part. The films music, composed specially by French dance icons Daft Punk, steals the show, cranking the visuals to 11 and blast any doubts away. From pounding bass lines to rousing orchestral scores, it never falls below spectacular.
The trouble is that even these can't help a plodding middle and a distinct lack of drive to match its ambition.
As a serious, plot driven film, Tron Legacy aims as highly as it's looks do, but never quite hits the mark.
But when the music's pumping, the game grid's alive and there's no corny dialogue to wade through, it takes up every space on the high score table.
Tron Legacy out now.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith