Tron: Legacy

Though I don’t think Tron: Legacy is a good film I will give the producers a big thumbs up for a disclaimer at the start of the film which states that not all the film is in 3D, only the scenes set in the actual electronic world utilise the scourge of modern cinema releases. If only other 3D releases had the same honesty. Anyway, here we are 28 years (28!) down the line from the original Tron with this belated sequel. Ironically, this film is similar to the first film in that it will probably gain a cult following, but when after all the effects are taken into consideration, it really isn’t all that much to write home about. Garrett Hedlund is the lead this time, playing Sam Flynn, the son of the originals Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). Some convenient plot machinations later we find Flynn Jr in the cyber universe and the life and death games begin. Yes, the effects are great and the light cycle race is excellent, though over far too quickly. The well documented de-aging effects used for Bridges are also pretty seamless, though somewhat worryingly the CGI Bridges manages to act the wooden Hedlund off the grid. You’ll now be unsurprised to hear that most of the effort has been put into the effects, meaning the screenplay is pretty clunky and seems to have been made up as they went along. Some of the characters very underwritten, especially Olivia Wilde (looking oddly like Jennifer Carpenter of Dexter fame for most of the film) as the films one token female, who pretty much has nothing to do. As for Michael Sheen’s bizarre cameo as a nightclub owner, the less said the better. Director Joseph Kosinski handles most of the action scenes well, but struggles to get decent performances from the cast during the films downtime. Basically, I think the film is best summed up as if you have to wait 28 years for a sequel, then there probably hasn’t been that much clamour for it in the first place.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
The occasional thrilling scene can’t make up for the fact that this is clearly a film that was effects first, storyline as an afterthought. Rating: 5/10.