THE FATHER, THE SON & THE MALEVOLENT DIGITAL SPIRIT: a review of "Tron: Legacy"

“TRON: LEGACY”
Based upon characters and situations
created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird
Story by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and Brian Klugman & Lee Strenthal
Screenplay Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
*** (three stars)
In 1982, I was 13 years old and whether it was through a suggestion by my parents or through my own desire, I was enrolled in a summer computer class. While my memory informs me that I performed fairly well in the class, I quickly realized that the mathematically driven course was not designed for me as my particular brand of literacy drifted towards words and not flowchart. The bottom line for me was simple: I enjoyed playing video games and simply had no desire or ambition to create video games. So, any fondness that remains from that time consists of all of the truly primitive video games I was enthralled to play and some strange fascination and comfort I felt when I heard the constant white noise of the printer churning out sheets and sheets of code onto those larger, perforated green and white striped sheets.

That same summer also saw the release of Writer/Director Steven Lisberger’s ambitious science fiction computer wizard joyride entitled “Tron.” The story of genius computer programmer Kevin Flynn’s (Jeff Bridges) journey into the world behind his computer screen and his adventures with the titular and virtual hero (played by Bruce Boxleitner) excited my sci-fi/fantasy spirit and I was as anxious to see the film as I was for any new spectacular from Steven Spielberg. But, somehow I had to convince my parents, strict disciplinarians who, at times, did not suffer or entertain my enthusiasm for cinema. So, after convincing my Father that seeing “Tron” would be beneficial to any potential success in my computer class, he agreed and I saw the film opening weekend and even wrote a review of the film and handed it in for extra credit the following week. “Tron” was a veritable neon colored wonderland with sights, sounds and experiences to highly regard. Yes, the story was a bit silly as it did not transport me in the same way or to the level that Spielberg and George Lucas were able to. But, I loved it anyway as it was a unique experience that really has not been duplicated in quite the same fashion. In “Tron,” computer technology became elevated to the near mystical, the battle disc fight sequences and light cycle chases blew my mind and the devil may care presence of Bridges made for a great hero to follow absolutely anywhere.

Even with all of my weariness with the current glut of sequels, re-makes and reboots plaguing our cinemas these days, I have to admit that I was extremely curious and excited when it was first announced that “Tron” would be receiving a follow-up installment. When I saw the first trailer, my jaw hit the floor as the idea of a sequel to “Tron” somehow felt more valid to me than the standard cash and grab mentality, especially as the original film did not set the box office on fire and has remained more of a cult film favorite. The possibilities and potential behind such a sequel intrigued me and I knew I would not miss this event for anything.

And now, at last, we arrive 28 years later with “Tron: Legacy,” helmed very confidently by Joseph Kosinski, his directorial debut! It is a film that has (almost) everything I could have ever expected from such a sequel while also upgrading it to a modern darkness that speaks knowingly to our dark times. This is no brain dead sequel and its own sense of ambition is greatly appreciated, as this is a film that is truly making an honest effort. While it is a little too convoluted and also more than a little silly like the original, is an exceedingly good and well made film. It’s not great but there is much greatness in it.

Jeff Bridges reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, now the long running CEO of the ENCOM corporation he battled in the first film. Beginning in 1989, the ever-innovative Flynn is on the brink of a new technological discovery with which he hopes to bridge the gap between electronics, religion, and philosophy, elevating society as a whole. Yet, after a weaving fantastical bedtime stories of electronic other worlds to his young son Sam, Flynn mysteriously disappears, never to be heard from again.

Zooming to present day, Garrett Hedlund stars as Flynn’s 27-year-old son Sam Flynn, equally brash, cocky and technically brilliant as well as being the main shareholder of ENCOM, who has endlessly searched for his Father since his disappearance. After being visited by Flynn’s one time romantic rival and subsequent closest friend and ally, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner, reprising his role as well) and being informed of a mysterious page he received from Flynn’s defunct video arcade, Sam begins to embark upon a transformative journey he has only ever dreamt of.

Discovering his Father’s secret office housed underground from the arcade, Sam, like his Father before him, finds himself transported into The Grid, the virtual world of Flynn’s conception, and is forced to partake in a series of future games and fight for his survival. Sam soon meets Clu (again played by Bridges), the virtual representation of Flynn’s original program now gone amok with malicious power and consumed with intentions of manipulating and manifesting the power of his artificial intelligence beyond The Grid and into the real world. As Sam dangerously navigates through The Grid, he desperate hopes to find his long lost Father, defeat Clu, discover the secret of Tron’s whereabouts and finally, return to the real world.

As those crafty kids of the 21st century would say, “Tron: Legacy” is a mash-up. Yet, it is a solid mash-up of ideas, themes and concepts filtered through a gorgeously visual thrill ride blender. For fans of the original “Tron,” all of the classic iconography is present and proudly on display from the battle discs, light cycle chases and soaring flights on the light sail barges. It even ensures nods to Journey (who contributed music to the original) as well as physically re-imagining the original film’s now iconic one sheet poster image. Beyond that, there are many nods to other classic science fiction films including: Stanley Kubrick’s vortex sequence from “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968); The Wachowski brothers’ “Matrix” series (which itself had to have been influenced by “Tron”), Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” (1982), mostly through its highly synthetic film score by Daft Punk, which nods to Vangelis’ innovative score, and more than enough steals from the entire “Star Wars” saga that I hope George Lucas notices the obvious affection and chooses not to sue Kosinski and his filmmaking team.

Underneath the special effects sheen, I really appreciated that Kosinski and his screenwriters (veterans of television’s “Lost”) desired to add some depth to the material, making this film stand for more than a virtual war between programs and users. “Tron: Legacy” presents a grim landscape inside and outside of the computer realm as the real world and sci-fi dystopia each contain warnings about humans losing their humanity to the machines who crave it and will ultimately enslave us. As presented in David Fincher’s “The Social Network” and even Edgar Wright’s “Scott Pilgrim VS. The World,” the advent of the internet and constant presence of computer technology has allowed cyberspace to become an extension of ourselves. ”Tron: Legacy” is an action film devoted to the concept of what happens when the lines between our real and virtual selves becomes blurred, distorted and overtaken. What is Clu but Flynn’s raging ambition gone completely out of control?

Jeff Bridges’ performance is a masterful dual role elevating this material to almost becoming a sort of 21st century Paradise Lost crossed with “Star Wars.” “Tron: Legacy” features the Jedi Knight/God version of Flynn VS. the Sith Lord/Satan version of Clu with the fate of the world trapped in the middle and Sam the Son as the Savior to release everyone from virtual tyranny. The most stunning effect in this film, which is filled with stunning effects, is the sight of a young Jeff Bridges in the form of Clu, allowing old and young Jeff Bridges to act together. The sight of an incorrect looking 30-year-old Jeff Bridges is a creepy effect that should be a warning to all CGI artists everywhere but actually works to support the theme of machines suffocating our humanity.

Aside from the deeper themes, I have to give special mention to Michael Sheen as the sinister, effeminate program known as Zuse. Sheen’s performance is a wacky hybrid of Sydney Greenstreet and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane characters. When he was on screen, the film perked to some oddball subversive planes.

But for me, the weak link is Garrett Hedlund who does indeed bear a strong resemblance to Bridges and even more strikingly, Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker from “Revenge Of The Sith” (2005). But as this film stands, Hedlund almost feels as if he has graduated from the “Kristen Stewart School Of Acting” as he harbors one expression and vocal tone throughout the entire film. He has the physicality and the energy but no emotional range and it ultimately made for a weak and dangerously bland hero to follow.

The film also has more than enough exposition to deal with and when that is merged with the mythological/biblical allegory, those sequences do tend to drag a little bit but not so much as to derail the experience as a whole. And for as stunning as "Tron: Legacy" is presented and executed, it wasn’t that much fun. Where was the awe? The wonder? Or at least, that “gee-whiz” excitement? Since so much was done to weave the sinister web of the virtual grid, it was as if Kosini and his writers forgot about the playfulness of it all. Such a shame as this all takes place inside of the computer world lodged underneath a dilapidated video game arcade. Again, nothing derailed the entire experience but I just wasn’t as exhilarated as I am certain the filmmakers wanted me to have been.

At this time, if I could offer Joseph Kosinski any word of advice (and knowing that he would listen to little old me), I would advise him to not let his film references overtake his own artistic vision. Yes, this is his first film and again, it is an excellent form of craftsmanship, but everything in it has been recycled from something else and without a sense of any new perspective. In comparing "Tron: Legacy" to Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” we have a film that proudly wore its influences upon its dream world sleeves but everything was filtered through Nolan’s consistent themes and concepts of duality and mind games, themes which have been a part of all of his films since “Momento” (2000). “Inception” was yet another chapter in Christopher Nolan’s ongoing oeuvre and I would love the chance to see what a filmmaker of Kosinski’s obvious talents would do with an original story.

All of that being said, "Tron: Legacy" is a much worthy sequel to the original, presented in grand style and supreme confidence with the amazing Jeff Bridges, obviously having a blast and in full command of his acting powers. Even with my quibbles, this is a strong effort that will easily reward you with a fine time at the movies.