UrbanRhetoric

UrbanRhetoric

12.25.2010

Tron: Legacy [review]....by IMTHATDUDE

Tron: Legacy

After decades of chatter, sci-fi geeks have finally gotten what they’ve been clamoring over since Tron first hit the big screen in 1982. A sequel. And we all know how awesome sequels tend to be. Instant Correction: We all know how awesomely LAME sequels tend to be. Tron was no different.

First time feature the film director Joseph Kosinski helms Tron: Legacy, which is written by first time feature film writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (they did write for several TV shows including Lost and the inimitable Birds of Prey! If you haven’t seen Birds of Prey, think Cleopatra 2525 but way worse). Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, The Big Lebowski) reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, the inventor of Tron. It also stars Garrett Hedlund (Country Strong, Troy), Olivia Wilde (Year One, Alpha Dog & TV’s House) and Bruce Boxleitner (Tron, TV’s Babylon 5). FYI: Legacy does get to boast of one good thing… they saw fit to give a smidget of screen time to one of my babies’ mamas – Christine Adams. Yes, I did say one of, because I have quite the substantial list of candidates ranging from starlets to writers. One day I will post that list, which is always subject to change (eg, Zoe Saldana’s recent departure from the list. Lo Siento, Zoe, but,if it makes it any easier for you, it was a difficult decision).

IF YOU MUST KNOW:

Here’s the quick and dirty for the sci-curious. Tron is a videogame, but more. It’s a cyber world created by Flynn (Bridges) based on a video game. Flynn’s been missing for over 20 years and left his son Sam (Hedlund) and the rest of the world wondering what happened. In actuality (not a SPOILER) Flynn’s been stuck inside of this cyber world the entire time until Alan (Boxleitner) gets a mysterious message from a disconnected number which accidentally leads Sam to get sucked into the world of Tron. Sam then has to track down his pops and fight his way home. Of course, this is no easy feat. First, Sam has to figure out the rules of this world, which include deadly games for digital survival (which of course has real implications in the real world) In the Tron world, unlike the Matrix, your actual physical body gets thrown inside the program, so if you die, there’s no trace of you homey.

You’re like Jimmy Hoffa or Nicki Minaj’s talent.

People will be wondering where you are for a long time.

If I told you more about the story, I’d be removing what little twisty bits of story the writers and directors pray will keep you in your seat and stop you from walking out or falling asleep.

Obviously, the best part of this movie was the effects. However, that was a little disappointing too. At times, I couldn’t help but think about how George Lucas must feel watching some of these Darth Maul rip-offs flit about the screen. There was anything groundbreaking about the graphics like Avatar and there was nothing incredible about the story or the story telling. It was obvious what would happen, how soon it would happen, and even HOW whatever was going to happen would happen. The only things that make this movie tolerable are the action sequences (which could be better and after 28 years, SHOULD be much better), the Christine Adams sighting, Olivia Wilde and Beau Garrett in their skin tight outfits, and the occasional Dude-isms from Bridges.

Also, Disney, it is NOT cool that I couldn’t find the original on DVD anywhere, which made it impossible to remember or figure out why I vaguely recall semi-liking it. I suspect, I probably didn’t like the original anydamnway. I absolutely hate not being able to compare films for continuity, quality, and character development. I think Disney didn’t want people to do that and Netflix is in on it with them. I smell a C-O-N spiracy.

Put in the most simple way I can, if you planned on seeing a good Jeff Bridges movie this season, then you need to go see True Grit (review coming soon).

That Dude gives Tron-Legacy: 2

RATING SYSTEM:

1. They make crap this pure?
2. Couldn’t be more under-whelmed.
3. Not too shabby, I won’t ask for my money back.
4. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good./Worth the 12 bucks.
5. Why are you reading this and not seeing this movie? Jackass.

2 comments:

  1. I watched the original the morning before going to see the sequel ...I think it made a huge difference. There were a few homages to the original and the continuity was pretty much on point. I think we all liked the original because it took the live action/animation combination to a new level. Also, a lot of the original's plot can be seen as starting points for movies like Terminator and the Matrix. However, I don't think the sequel was all that innovative in terms of plot or cinematography but I'd give it a 3 (and I paid to see it in 3D).

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  2. Word, Kev. (Shout out to BK)

    I saw it in 3D, too. I thought the 3D parts weren't worth the extra ducats. The bar for a 3D flick was set too high by Avatar. As for it being the starting points for movies like Terminator and the Matrix - that's fair, but I think it's more like an good uncle. 2001: A Space Odyssey, the original Star Trek, and Alien are all sentient program gone maniacal sci-fi that predate Tron.

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