Review: TRON: Legacy

The third movie I saw this break was TRON: Legacy.  Now, this isn't exactly on my list of "Oscar movies," but I wanted to see it because, well, it's TRON.  TRON: Legacy follows Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) after his father, Kevin Flynn (Jeff bridges), mysteriously disappears.  Flynn's partner, Alan Bradley, believes that Flynn actually went inside his master project The Grid.  After receiving a mysterious page from Flynn's old arcade, Sam discovers his father's hidden work shop and gets pulled into The Grid and begins searching for his father.  Along the way he has to fight Clu (Jeff Bridges), a copy of Flynn meant to perfect The Grid, as well as Rinzler (Anis Cheurfa), The Grid's most skilled fighter.

The acting in TRON isn't stupendous; being a Disney movie, none of the actors are incredibly well experienced or talented outside of Jeff Bridges, but they fulfill their purpose.  Olivia Wilde who plays Quorra does a good job at acting her part, but doesn't stand out in any sense outside of the fact that she's super hot.  Jeff Bridges on the other hand does a great job of playing the two juxtaposed characters of Kevin Flynn and Clu.  What's even more impressive is that the age technology actually makes Jeff Bridges look younger as Clu, as opposed to creepy.  Michael Sheen also stands out in his role as Castor, a perturbed club owner and also The Grid's most powerful delegate, Zuse.

While the acting may be the weakest part of the movie, the special effects are stunning.  The vivid colors placed along the ever present wash of black pop and make the action scenes exhilarating.  The sets and scenes, costumes, and vehicles are both simplistic yet beautifully crafted.  The movie looks even better on the IMAX screen, although I have an ever present on-again off-again relationship with 3D technology.  If you want to go see this movie on the IMAX in 3D, I suggest either bringing a set of your own 3D glasses (I managed to save some nicer ones from another theater) or getting there as soon as possible so you can get a seat right in the middle.  I sat slightly to the left of the screen and the entire time there was a reflection on the right lens of the poor quality glasses the movie theater handed out.  This isn't a complaint against TRON, but a complaint against the new 3D rage.  I'll be the first to admit that 3D can be fun, but if they are charging me $17+ for a ticket, I want some quality 3D glasses.

Overall, TRON: Legacy was a fun, enjoyable thrill ride.  The acting isn't great, but Kevin Flynn is almost an exact replica The Dude.  He's Zen, he's hippy, he's totally rad and it's enjoyable to watch, even though slightly gimmicky.  If TRON is nominated for anything at The Academy Awards, it will be the special effects and possibly the original score.  Daft Punk does an excellent job of making a masterful score while intermingling their own personal techno flair at the same time.  While I wasn't impressed by the OST at first listen, once I heard it accompanying the movie itself, I realized that Daft Punk does an impressive job of making a grandiose, masterfully crafted movie score.  Daft Punk actually makes a cameo in the movie and blend in seamlessly with TRON's environment, which comes at no surprise.  TRON may not be the best movie out there, but transporting to The Grid is a thrill and I would not mind seeing the movie again.