'Tron: Legacy' Delivers A Thrilling Part Two
| By AMIR ALI SAID |
Tron: Legacy is the story of Sam Flynn's one night virtual adventure. After his father Kevin Flynn, a virtual world designer, mysteriously disappears Sam tries to deal with feeling abandoned. In search of his father, Sam visits his father's old arcade shop and he examines a game called 'Tron'. Soon, Sam finds out the game doesn't take quarters. Pretty Odd Right? As Sam’s intuition and curiosity kicks in he finds himself plugged into the very world his father created. While there, Sam finds his father. Once Sam realizes the horrid nature of what this world has become, he and his father embark on a life-and-death trip back to the real world.
If there were anything that you'll immediately take away from this film, it would be the graphics. Most of the film was shot in 3D. Director of Tron Legacy, Joseph Kosinski and his grew used dual camera 3D using Pace Fusion Rigs like the cameras used on Avatar. But instead of using Sony F590 cameras, Kosinski says they used F35s. In his words, Kosinski made the decision because the F35 cameras "had a full 35mm sensor which gives you that beautiful cinematic shallow depth of field." In addition to the filming, much credit should be given to visual effects company, Digital Domain, who was contracted to work on the effects and animation. The amazing collaboration between the two created a 3D masterpiece.
The editing in Tron: Legacy has to be just as important as the visual effects. All praise is do to editor, James Haygood. Once you take a step into the virtual world of Tron: Legacy you've just taken a flight to somewhere big. The editing in the film just makes everything much more smoother and up-tempo. Through the first forty minutes of the film, editing doesn't make much of a visual impact. But once the film picks up and you’re dropped off inside this world you can clearly see the role editing plays in this film. Visual effects and editing made the whole film come to life and flourish like no other.
You can’t go wrong with actor Jeff Bridges. Throw in a couple more actors around him and you've got a world full of solid acting. In every scene Bridges makes everyone around him better. Garrett Hedlund, the lead character, Sam, delivered a solid performance. Olivia Wilde did wonders in her supporting role as Kevin's apprentice. Perhaps my only concern in regards to acting in the film is the scene with Michael Sheen at "The End of the Line Club." I thought that scene seemed staged, unnatural, and awkward. Besides that, the acting was on point.
The only major problem I find in Tron: Legacy is the running time. The film clocks in at just over 2 hours. Now I think the film must have been much longer before Haygood and Kosinski settled on the final cut. But, two hours and five felt a bit long. Bits and pieces from the beginning, middle, and the end could've been crafted better. There were scenes that should have been cut, which would’ve made the film shorter. I think that also would’ve resulted in a smoother, less lethargic ride in bits of the beginning and end.
Tron: Legacy is an entertaining sequel to the original classic. I came into the film only for the entertainment and to see how the sequel would turn out. I left the film with more than what I looked for. I also left with a newfound respect for everyone involved with the project. From the story development, down to the props and wardrobe, I was taken aback in a big way. My hats off to Joseph Kosinski and his team. They were able to construct a solid film, one that was both entertaining and faithful to the original Tron. Nonetheless, Tron: Legacy is a solid 3, 3.5 star film that’s worth the watch.
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