TRON: Legacy MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 Content: +3

Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain. Sci-fi action. Written by Eddy Kitsis & Adam Horowitz. Based on characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird. Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

FILM SYNOPSIS: TRON: Legacy is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer.  When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn’s Arcade—a signal that could only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years.  With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually stunning cyber universe—a universe created by Kevin himself. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy® Award-winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, TRON: Legacy hits U.S. theaters on Dec. 17, 2010, in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Notes: “Among the film’s firsts: it is the first 3D movie to integrate a fully digital head and body based upon an existing actor, creating the younger version of Jeff Bridges’ character; it’s the first movie to make extensive use of self-illuminated costumes; it’s the first movie to create molded costumes using digital sculpture exclusively, creating molds directly from computer files using CNC (Computer Numerical Cutting) technology; it’s the first 3D movie shot with 35mm lenses and full-35mm chip cameras; and it’s the first movie to record uncompressed HD Video to Hard Drive.”

PREVIEW REVIEW: Though the original has a cult following (so I’m told), it was a disappointing Disney experiment for most others. Heavy on state-of-the-art special effects back in 1982, and with an interesting premise (a computer geek is sucked into a video game and has to fight his way out), that production left many dissatisfied, if not disoriented. With all its action and bravura, Tron lacked energy and sparkle. Same goes for this 28-year-old sequel. With a supporting cast badly lacking charisma, Jeff Bridges is left adrift in a sea of muddled nonsense.

For a film meant to be so inventive, the story and characterizations owe much to many other films. If you’re a film buff, you see bits and pieces from other oldies such as Frankenstein, Forbidden Planet, Logan’s Run, Blade Runner and others. There’s even one character who’s a gay-ish cross between the lead in A Clockwork Orange and Barberella’s Duran Duran. And if you can see through the faint photography and the shadowy script, there’s also some New Age angst coupled with the Garden of Eden theme of man wanting to be like God. But it’s difficult to care about the cast long enough to get enthused with allegorical themes.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Disney