2010 MISSES: "TRON LEGACY"

I'm still playing catch up on some 2010 releases I missed, so here is one I've checked out after 2010 expired. You've all heard about it and chances are, if you read this blog, you were a fan of the original or at least heavily influenced by it as a child. I was one of these children. The special effects were so cool for it's time, but watching the original "Tron" compared to "Legacy" is like playing Alex Kidd on Sega Master System compared to Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 on an HD TV. I don't want to say it takes away from the original, but it definitely plants it as more of a cult film, opposed to an innovative one. I was simply amazed by the visuals in this film. I haven't really felt that way in a long time, maybe only rivaled by "The Dark Knight" and "Avatar" in recent memory. I'd go as far as putting this film in my top 10 most visually stimulating movies of all time along with industry standards such as "Alien" and "Blade Runner". Sadly, that is almost all "Tron: Legacy" has to offer besides a few bits here and there.

I will praise Jeff Bridges for his performance. He isn't given much, but he always makes it interesting. He always makes you laugh and he always makes you cry. He is one of the greatest living actors of our generation. The terrible script doesn't hold him back, but it hinders other actors who aren't quite as gifted. I really hate to dog on someone who I know nothing about, but the young lead actor in this film playing Bridge's son is atrocious. He is given so many horrible one liners, and he helps bring them to a whole new level of bad acting. Other cartoonish characters aren't given much else to work with as well. The scenery is more intimidating than any character in this film. I'm glad it's a sequel and not a remake, but nothing original is done in the story department. Oh well, I don't think I should expect anything like that in this day and age. Watch this film for it's stunning visuals, or at least as a Jeff Bridges fan. Otherwise you may not fall into the hype.

*2 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*