Tron: Legacy (Tron 2) (2010)

Tron (1982) was a masterpiece of computer graphics at the time. Of course that's not saying much for its look, script, and acting -- but it was a near-spiritual experience for those who grepped or grokked its minimalist arcade-graphics approach (esp. when a program hears the words "End of line" or utters the words "O my User!"). Now, almost 30 years later, Tron: Legacy ramps up that sense of wonder by several orders of magnitude and soaks it in adrenaline with visually awesome and viscerally powerful lightcycle races and disc duels on a greatly evolved Grid. (The graphics must be seen esp. in 3D and the Daft Punk soundtrack must be experienced esp. in Dolby to be believed.) It seems Flynn (reprised by Jeff Bridges) abruptly disappeared when his son was a young boy; grown now but with daddy issues and a daredevil-may-care attitude, Sam is searching for something (and it's not control of Encom). When he receives a clue from his father's long-shuttered arcade (from a sympathetic executive in an extended cameo role by Bruce Boxleitner), Sam gradually uncovers the truth about his father and the world inside the Grid. Everything has gone horribly wrong and one misstep could also threaten to destroy the real world outside of the Grid. It is up to Sam (Garrett Hedlund) and the unique and beautiful fighter Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to battle Clu (played by a digital doppelganger of Bridges) and his minions (not the cute yellow bespectacled kind either). Flynn's Zenlike demeanor and role make for a fascinating pacifist foil amidst the gladiatorial pitched battles; clearly he chooses brains over brawn. Tron: Legacy is a movie I simply *had* to see in the theater and in IMAX 3D -- and I will own it when it comes out on disc. Don't miss Michael Sheen as the smarmy Zeus! 5 stars. (2-15-11 posted 2-24-11)