TRON: Legacy

It's taken almost thirty years, but now the sequel to the 80s cult film "TRON" is finally coming to theaters. And even though the somewhat similarly constructed story might suggest otherwise, "TRON: Legacy" is not a remake, but actually a consistent continuation of the events from the first part. While the 3D spectacle can be enjoyed without the appropriate prior knowledge, it is only in conjunction with Part 1 that "TRON: Legacy" is actually really fun.

But for those who don't know the 1982 film, or can't remember it well, first a brief introduction to the story of "TRON": Ed Dillinger, head of the ENCOM corporation, repeatedly 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 fraud 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 is far from the end of the adventure in the digital world...

Not too much emphasis should be placed 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 delight. Particularly successful is the idea that scenes set in the "real"world are presented in 2D, and the film only switches to 3D effects once Sam enters the digital world. Here, director Joseph Kosinski and his team have created a truly fascinating world that pays homage to the original on the one hand - there are some very nice direct references that fans will be very happy about - but also takes advantage of the enormous advances in technology.

The design of the digital world is just as fantastic as the visual effects, which make the many action sequences in particular 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 presents itself from a particularly fascinating side.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film, however, is that one of its core messages is also reflected in its technical realization. Jeff Bridges, lead actor from Part 1, plays his role twice here: as a "echter", 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 lacks 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 seeing 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". In addition, there are typical computer sounds, which form an ingenious cool contrast to the sometimes almost tender, very warm orchestral sounds. This soundtrack belongs in every good collection and can <link https: www.amazon.de dp _blank>Can be ordered HERE.

Audiovisually impressive but somewhat thin on content, that remains as a conclusion. However, the film also opens up the possibility of going deeper into the TRON universe in further films or the announced TV series, and perhaps 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!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp