28 years in the making, here comes Tron-Legacy. While entertaining, with 28 years to refine a script, it should have been better. What could have been high level, immersive Sci-Fi, turns out to be a so-so story with some wood standing in for the lead actor. Touting state of the art special effects and 3D, you expect it to be better. It was ambitious with its themes but none of them shine. It wants to be a father-son reconnecting story, but Garret Hedlund didn’t have the skills or the dialogue to pull that one off. They briefly touch on the idea that Flynn is a God in a world of his own creation, but I guess the writers didn’t have the chops to really chew on that and it passes by in a wink. Exposition….poorly delivered.

So where does it work? Action. Its’ got it and its good. Light cycle battles, check. Disc battles, check. Death Star escape, check. Bruce Boxleitner fighting as Tron…. Semi-check. Music, fucking amazing electronica provided by Daft Punk. Every scene is perfectly scored, but I kept wondering how well the electronica would hold up, say 28 years later on a repeat viewing. History has shown that electronic music in film does not age well. Michael Sheen delivers the best performance, he and his character are both showmen of course, but you don’t get his history and that is probably my biggest complaint with this movie; the writers did not know how to deliver the back story or the off-screen story.

I read a lot of reviews the week before it hit theaters that complained there was no story or that you couldn’t follow it. I disagree… its there but its weak and sadly with all the special effects and 3D at their disposal, this movie is a less immersive experience than the first.

2.5 stars, but if you are a fan of the original it’s a must see in theaters.