TRON: Legacy

After the mysterious disappearance of the world’s leading video game developer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is haunted by his father’s obsession with ‘The Grid’, and the enigmatic ‘miracle’ discovery he had claimed would revolutionise the world. 20 years later, a visit to Flynn’s arcade strands Sam within ‘The Grid’, and forces him to compete for survival in a deadly tournament known only as ‘The Games’. After being rescued by the beautiful Quorra (Olivia Wilde) the pair become entangled in a sinister plot to dominate the real world, with an enemy who knows Sam all too well.

Boasting the musical credentials of the astounding Daft Punk, the soundtrack is a blissful addition to this science fiction fest, with a gorgeous aesthetic that makes each scene appear as sleek and well-executed as the next, a feature only to be expected when considering the substantial budget. Whilst the soundtrack and the notable set and costume design lend this film character, the crowning glory of this sequel lies within the actors. Effortlessly adapting to a world of blue screen, the protagonists maintain a rapport with the audience, and the empathy created by the tragic relationship of Sam and his father is a testament to the acting abilities of both Bridges and Hedlund. Primarily, however, the success of Tron: Legacy is attributable to the heady combination of both gripping action and compelling science fiction, and the end result is a film which boasts the best attributes of each. If you like either genre, this is one to watch!

Aimée Crickmore

Abandoned by his father at the fragile age of seven, Sam Flynn (Hedlund) follows a mysterious trail which leads him in to the digital world his dad, Kevin Flynn (Bridges), helped create and which now holds the both of them prisoner. Kevin Flynn’s former ally and creation, Clu, has taken control and has begun to mercilessly hunt his creator in an effort to achieve his destiny.

The plot to 1982’s Tron may have faded from the memories of many who will be seeing the sequel, but what persists in the public memory is the world created by the filmmakers nearly three decades ago. The digital realm of gladiatorial arenas and Light Cycles, and of users and programs, has spawned a massive cult following and dramatically influenced the science fiction genre.

The first concept trailer was revealed back at Comic-Con 2008, and the years since have seen information fed through to the public at a torturously slow pace. This year though, we finally return to this lovingly imagined digital world, now fully realised with state of the art special effects, whilst brining a cornucopia of respected acting talent both new and old to the franchise. This spring, the game has truly changed.

David Burroughs