TRON: Legacy - DVD

Film: It took almost thirty years, but in January 2011, the sequel to the 80s cult film TRON finally hit theaters. And even if the somewhat similarly constructed story suggests otherwise, TRON: Legacy is not a remake, but actually a consistent continuation of the events from the first part. Although the (3D) spectacle can be enjoyed even without appropriate prior knowledge, but only in conjunction with Part 1 makes TRON: Legacy actually really fun.

But if you do not know the film from 1982, or can not remember exactly, for the first a brief introduction to the story of TRON: Ed Dillinger, head of the corporation ENCOM, always appropriates the software created by his programmers to consolidate his supremacy with his master control program. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) refuses to accept that he has been stolen from by Dillinger and he decides to break into ENCOM's computer system and prove the theft. But when he tries to hack into the system, he is transferred into the digital world himself and must fight the Master Control Program there, along with TRON (Bruce Boxleitner).

Some years after the events of TRON, Kevin Flynn, who, after exposing Dillinger's cheating and defeating the MCP, has been given control of ENCOM, has disappeared without a trace. Twenty years later, his son is supposed to be running things, but Sam (Garrett Hedlund) has grown up to be a rebellious loner who wants nothing to do with his father's legacy. But one night, when he investigates a strange signal coming from his father's old arcade at the request of Alan (Bruce Boxleitner again), Sam is drawn into the very digital world in which his father has been trapped for twenty years now. And here Sam must now fight as a user against overpowered programs his father once created, but which now take on a dangerous life of their own. But with the help of warrior Quorra (Olivia Wilde), Sam manages to escape the deadly arena and reunite with his father (Jeff Bridges). But that's far from the end of the adventure in the digital world...

There shouldn't be too much emphasis on a good story and quality dialogue in TRON: Legacy. The sequel to the groundbreaking vision of the future at the time is a purely visual treat. In the cinema, the idea that the scenes set in the real world are presented in 2D and the film only switches to 3D effects once Sam enters the digital world proved to be extremely effective. Even though this effect has been lost in the 2D home cinema version, it can still be recognised that director Joseph Kosinski and his team have created a truly fascinating world that on the one hand pays homage to the original - there are some very nice direct references that fans will be very happy to see - , while also taking advantage of the vast advances in technology.

The design of the digital world is just as fantastic as the visual effects, which make especially the many action sequences a real feast for the senses. The whole thing seems a bit sterile and soulless, but it should not be forgotten that the film is not, like Avatar, set on another planet, but in an artificially created world consisting of bits and bites. And this world really does present itself from a particularly fascinating angle.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film, however, is that one of its core messages is also reflected in its technical execution. Jeff Bridges, lead actor from Part 1, plays his role twice here: as a real, aged Kevin Flynn and once as a digitally rejuvenated version of himself, as a program he created called Clu. As perfect as this animation is, as fascinating as the detail work is in the animated rejuvenated face, the digital Jeff Bridges is missing something very important: soul. As perfect as the computer work may be, it simply fails to capture the spirit of the human soul.

TRON: Legacy is really worth watching, despite a rather thin story. An important aspect of this is also the fantastic soundtrack by French electro duo DAFT PUNK. The mixture of bombastic orchestral sounds and electronic sounds transports the viewer into a completely different world. Some pieces of the soundtrack almost sound like an homage to the works of John Carpenter from the 70s and 80s, especially to his music for The Fog and The End. This is joined by typical computer sounds, which form an ingenious cool contrast to the sometimes almost tender, very warm orchestral sounds.

Audiovisually impressive but somewhat thin in terms of content, that remains as a conclusion. However, the film also opens up the possibility of going deeper into the universe of TRON in further films or the announced TV series and perhaps experiencing some more exciting adventures there. As long as fans don't have to wait another 30 years for that, there's really nothing wrong with the idea of further sequels. Therefore: for fans of visually brilliant popcorn cinema absolutely recommendable!

Picture + Sound: The lack of 3D effect makes itself felt here rather negatively. The sequences in the digital world seem very artificial and some effects still breathtaking in the cinema seem flat and less convincing. However, there is little to complain about in terms of sharpness of detail, as well as contrast and atmospheric colouring. The sound is also on a very good level, with both the great soundtrack and the many effects providing high dynamics.

Extras: The DVD of TRON: Legacy has only a few extras to offer. Besides a brief preview of the animated series, there are short documentaries about the cast and the design of the film. Both featurettes are quite promotional, but still offer a pretty good look at the production.

Those looking for more extras, such as a new short film and more documentaries, will have to reach for the Blu-ray, which isn't really mind-blowing either, but is considerably more richly equipped.

Conclusion: TRON: Legacy is an entertaining sequel to the 80s classic, with less emphasis on a story and the focus entirely on the effects. These are less convincing in 2D on the DVD than in 3D in the cinema, but still please and offer popcorn entertainment at a good level. In terms of extras, however, the DVD is somewhat meagerly equipped. Here the grasp to the Blu-Ray is worthwhile.

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp