Where does one even begin with Tron: Legacy? It's a sequel to a cult film that arrived in theaters 28 years ago, known more for its cutting-edge design than for a compelling story or memorable characters. The movie returns as a direct sequel rather than a reboot or remake. While the original Tron’s reputation may have grown over time—similar to another science fiction film initially criticized, Blade Runner—it hasn't fared well overall; Disney attempted to show early screenings of the first film before Legacy was released, but modern audiences found its dated style unintentionally humorous. Concerned about this reaction, they canceled theatrical plans and removed the 25th-anniversary DVD from store shelves. As a result, I went into the sequel having only a Wikipedia summary (which proved surprisingly informative) to fill in gaps in what turned out to be largely unimportant plot points. My review is solely based on Legacy itself, without any influence of nostalgia or high expectations. More than two decades after the events of the first film—where a computer programmer [Jeff Bridges, reprising his role] was transported from the real world into the digital realm he created and fought against an oppressive tyrant—we are introduced to that programmer’s twenty-something child, who has inherited his father's tech empire and is not particularly happy about it. He remains preoccupied with his father’s disappearance years earlier, and a mysterious message leads him to discover his dad’s secret lab, where he accidentally gets transported into the digital world as well. I won't spoil anything by saying that he finds his father trapped there, and they must work together to escape. Providing more plot details would be unnecessary and unfair; essentially, once inside the digital realm, it becomes a series of action sequences in which our young hero rescues his father and his romantic interest until the film concludes. Sure, there are good guys and bad guys, and an attempt at depth is made, but does any of it matter? The digital world looks impressive, right? That’s why people go to see it. However, the sad truth is that what appears amazing in a two-minute trailer becomes tiresome when presented for a longer time. “The Grid” consists of three colors: neon blue, neon orange, and black—or rather, two colors and an absence of color. While this might seem interesting, watching it for over two hours (especially with the reduced lighting from 3D projection) grows monotonous. The 3D effect attempts to enhance depth, but that’s difficult when the film is lit and shot in such a stylized way. Furthermore, only the bad guys are orange, so our good-guy characters are deprived of any contrasting color to break up the visual sameness. There are some enjoyable moments, like the initial lightcycle battle and a digital dogfight later on. Garret Hedlund and Olivia Wilde do fine in their relatively underdeveloped roles, and Jeff Bridges manages to inject what depth he can into his dual roles—the actual Kevin Flynn and his twenty-years-younger digital duplicate, thanks to some unusual but visually interesting effects. The film is far from the terrible movie that something like The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is. It’s just...not very engaging. Daft Punk’s score was easily the best part of the film and something I would recommend acquiring without hesitation. At its strongest, the music and stylized visuals (especially early on) create a unique and imaginative experience—though it's more suited to the length of a music video than a full-length movie. However, let’s be honest: Tron: Legacy is a flashy, frivolous spectacle that exists solely to display pretty images onscreen for two hours and justify a $4+ 3D surcharge. I say this without judgment; some films are simply what they are, and you have as little right to expect a dog to meow as to find profound insights about the human condition in them. Cinema history is full of these shallow but diverting distractions. But can’t we want more than that? Consider Star Wars: its strength lies primarily in its revolutionary aesthetics and special effects, but it's the characters that people remember, not just how cool a particular action sequence looked. And Lucas isn’t even a particularly good writer; his characters resonated because of their universal appeal—that ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level. Will Sam Flynn’s name have the same lasting power? What about...uh, Olivia Wilde’s character? Apparently not, at least for me (Note: IMDb says it's “Quorra”). If you feel a strong connection to the first film or don’t mind paying $14+ for a mildly diverting experience, go ahead and see it. Otherwise, save your money; maybe watch it on Blu-ray. I should note that I didn’t find the 3D added anything worthwhile, so if you want to be able to actually see in The Grid, save yourself some money and choose a 2D seat.

Source on TMDB