Saturday, January 28, 2023

The Making of Tron: Legacy (2010)


Tron: Legacy, the sequel to the 1982 science fiction classic Tron, was a solid follow-up that built upon the strengths of the original while also taking advantage of advancements in technology to create a visually stunning world that was a natural evolution of the original's vision.

One of the key strengths of Tron: Legacy was its ability to build upon the themes and concepts introduced in the original film. Like the first film, Tron: Legacy explored the idea of a virtual world where programs take on lives of their own, and the relationship between the users who created the world and the programs who inhabit it. However, Tron: Legacy expanded upon these ideas, exploring the relationship between the creator of the virtual world, Kevin Flynn, and his son Sam, who is drawn into the world and must confront the legacy of his father's work.

In addition to building upon the themes and ideas of the original, Tron: Legacy also benefited from advancements in technology that allowed for a much more visually impressive film. While the original Tron was ground breaking for its use of computer-generated imagery, the technology available in the early 80s was still relatively primitive, and the film's visuals can seem simplistic compared to modern CGI. However, Tron: Legacy was able to take advantage of over two decades of technological progress to create a world that was both visually stunning and an elegant evolution of the original's vision.

One of the most impressive aspects of Tron: Legacy's visuals was its ability to seamlessly blend CGI and live-action elements. While the original Tron was largely composed of computer-generated imagery, Tron: Legacy incorporated live-action footage of the actors into its virtual world, creating a much more immersive and visually dynamic experience. The film's use of light cycles, the iconic vehicles from the original film, was also a highlight, with the updated designs and more intricate action sequences creating a thrilling and engaging experience for audiences.

Beyond its impressive visuals, Tron: Legacy also benefited from a strong cast and a compelling story. Jeff Bridges reprised his role as Kevin Flynn, and was joined by Garrett Hedlund as his son Sam, Olivia Wilde as the enigmatic Quorra, and Michael Sheen as the eccentric nightclub owner Castor. The film's story, which followed Sam's journey to confront his father's legacy and stop an evil program from taking over the virtual world, was engaging and well-paced, with plenty of action and emotional moments to keep audiences invested.

Overall, Tron: Legacy was a solid sequel to the original Tron, building upon its themes and ideas while also taking advantage of advancements in technology to create a visually stunning and engaging world. While some may have been skeptical of a sequel to a film that was over 20 years old, Tron: Legacy proved that the world of Tron still had plenty of stories left to tell, and that the original film's legacy could continue to inspire and excite audiences for years to come.

I for one look forward to Tron: Ares, the next installment of the Tron universe.

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