Friday 24 December 2010

Tron: Legacy (2010) - Joseph Kosinski


I haven't seen the original 1982 Tron (it's on my list of films to see).  Doing so will probably aid in understanding this sequel and you'll probably notice some easter eggs along the way.  But Tron: Legacy has followed in the footsteps of its predecessor in choosing style over substance.

The film begins in 2D but switches to 3D on entering the computerised realm, though the effect is subtle and not as awe-inspiring as the colour moment in The Wizard of Oz.  Still, there's no denying that the style and setting of Tron is fantastic, with its iconic mono-chromatic and neon visuals.  The aesthetics are certainly unique and continue to point the way towards a 3D cinematic future, complimenting the well exectued action sequences.

The story, however, is a whole different disc game: boy gets sucked into a video game and has to save his father from his own computerised creation.  It's essentially a teenagers wet dream, with fast cars, dangerous sports and hot women in tight catsuits.  There's a Wikileaks style pretext about freedom of data and global corporations taking over *cough* Microsoft *cough*, but ultimately the narrative is too flimsy to make these themes particularly substantial.  The script is also dire.  Saying the words "radical, man" is just. not. cool.  Jeff Bridges, you should know better, as should Michael Sheen (reduced to androgynous comedian).  Thank God then for Daft Punk, providing an excellent musical score which combines electro and classical styles to perfect cinematic sci-fi effect.

It is a fairly entertaining popcorn film and is worth seeing for the visuals and music.  But sadly, Tron: Legacy is yet more evidence that films and video games probably shouldn't mix.

2/5