TRON: LEGACY

US, 2010, 125 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen, Jeffrey Nordling, Cillian Murphy.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

(US, 2010, d. Joseph Kosinski)

While Tron: Legacy is a sequel to the now-classic 1982 film, Tron, it is also something of a re-make, a re-interpretation of the original story to allow for the passing of time, the developments in technology and to dramatise a relationship between father and son.

For science-fiction fans, the Grid of Tron (well before the Matrix) has beguiled the imaginations of computer game players as well as those whose lives are devoted to the developments of these technologies. For those less inclined towards the wonders and mysteries of the Grid, this sequel may not do it for them. It is certainly full of whiz-bang wizardry (make that whiz whiz whiz whiz... bang bang bang bang... wizardry) that, in 2010 boggles the senses and the mind (but how will it look in another 28 years?). It is full of strange characters, computer clones who seem human but are highly sensitised robotic creations that can smash in an instant. There are games, competitions, battles. But, is that enough? For many, yes it is. For others, there needs to be a more human component.

And that there is - which will tide the humanitarians in the audience through the wizardry.

The film opens with Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn, who went into his arcade those decades ago and created the Grid, hoping that this alternate world could help the real world to be a better place. The film has a flashback to 1989 with Kevin and his young son, Sam, and their bond after Sam’s mother has died and the boy’s hopes to share his father’s work and insights. But, Kevin never came home.

In the present, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is something of a daredevil and enjoys sabotaging the Board Meetings of his father’s company, now a corporation that puts its futuristic technology on sale instead of making it available, free of charge. Kevin’s friend and partner, Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) is still there – but tells Sam he has a message from his father’s office.

So, begins Sam’s venturing into the Grid and discovering its magnitude and power. But it is dominated by Kevin’s creation, an alter ego, Clu (who appeared in the first film). Jeff Bridges played Kevin all those years ago and here he is again, trapped by Clu in the Grid. Bridges brings his age and authority to his role as the benign but imprisoned wise man, happy to be re-united with his son but concerned that he escape from the Grid and from Clu. But, Bridges also plays (as he did before) the ageless Clu (with Bridges affected by computergraphics to look young).

In a way, this is the Frankenstein story again, with Kevin the creator who makes a monster instead of the creature that could change life. And the monster turns against its maker, jealous of the son and aggressive towards the only remaining artefact of a group that he massacred (Quorra, Olivia Wilde). How will they escape? Which is the issue occupying the last part of the film.

Michael Sheen turns up in the bizarre role of a creature who runs a kind of nightclub and seems to be on something that makes him like a burlesque entertainer gone sinisterly but flamboyantly giggly.

Tron was released in 1982, the year of Blade Runner and both films have us remembering runners, matrixes and even the 2001 voyage beyond Jupiter. The screenplay also offers to those who would like to explore deeper metaphysical themes of being, identity, transcendence and scientific themes of development and their consequences as well as ‘ordinary’ human themes of family and relationships, material to ponder.

The opening and closing of the film (the real world) have been filmed in 2D, while inside the Grid, all is 3D. (And, not to spoil the ending, there may not be a sequel as the producers now haven’t got a Clu!)

1. Film and technology, computers, computer games? Audience knowledge of computer technology?

2. The original Tron, the characters, the technology of the 80s, the Grid, Tron and Clu? The conflict between good and evil?

3. This film as an update as well as a remake? Audience expectations after almost three decades?

4. The technological advances during this period? The same hopes and dedication? The more elaborate Grid? The greater dangers? The next generation? An underlying humanity in the theme of father and son?

5. The use of the Frankenstein myth within the computer world? Clu, the clones, Clu as an alter-ego of Kevin Flynn? The setting up of the conflict between the hero and the alter-ego?

6. The use of two dimensions in the present, three dimensions in the Grid? The end, the real world, back in two dimensions?

7. The visuals of the Grid, light and dark, space and spaciousness, the laser beams, the metallic look? The elaborate sets? The echo of computer games and design?

8. The opening in the present, Sam, his memories of his father, his father going to work, the death of his mother? Living with his grandparents? His father promising to come back and take him to the Grid? His growing up, his infiltrating the building, sabotaging the board meeting, the TV news and the free data? Software? His escape, the top of the building, his fall, riding the cycle? Giving some background for his gymnastics and activity within the Grid?

9. Alan, his friendship with Kevin? On the board? The board meeting, the boss, the corporatisation, the big building, the payment for technology? The members of the board, their questions? The head and his anger at the sabotage?

10. Alan, coming to visit Sam, the explanation of the message from his father? Sam going to visit the old arcade, the memories, his father’s work there, discovering the Grid, entering the Grid? Finding the trapdoor, the entry to the Grid, his experience of entering within it?

11. The Grid, its look, the characters there, clones and creations, the rituals for entry, his meeting with Clu?

12. Clu, his appearance, a digitalised younger Jeff Bridges? His dress, control, behaviour, words? Attitude towards Kevin? The games, his disposing of the creations of Kevin? The massacre? His being intelligent, yet created, turning monstrous, destructive?

13. Kevin, seeing Sam, his response, his life within the Grid, subjected by Clu? The comfort, his anguish, the explanations of his old life? His friendship with Quorra? Her being the survivor of those massacred? The conflicts with Clu? His memories?

14. The variety of clones, the massacre, Quorra’s survival?

15. Sam and his plan, agility, the dangers, moving within the Grid?

16. Going to Castor (Zuse), his appearance, flamboyance, incongruity? The confrontation with Sam? Zuse’s going to Clu, destruction?

17. The build-up to the finale, the speed, the vehicles, Clu and the others able to create their own vehicles as they flew? The timing?

18. The importance of the discs, the knowledge contained on them, Quorra and her participation, relationship with Sam, Kevin and his changing the discs, thwarting Clu?

19. The battle, the computer game style?

20. Kevin, his decision to stay, for Sam and Quorra to go free?

21. Sam and Quorra, in the ordinary world, Quorra being alive, facing a future? Sam continuing his father’s work?

22. The religious implications, creation, humanity, clones, science, fathers and sons?