For those who were expecting a spectacular two-hour showcase of stunning visual effects and captivating action sequences…

They got absolutely what they wanted in Tron: Legacy.

The sequel to the original 1982 Tron, Tron: Legacy takes you to a colourful fantasy universe inside a video-game where Programs constantly battle each other and humans (known as Users) and Programs can hardly be distinguished from each other.

Fans of the cult classic Tron will remember the distinctive lighted walls and floors, breathtaking computer-generated landscapes, and glowing suits, sucking you into a world where daily life is a constant battle for survival for both Users and Programs.

Oh, did I mention the amount of neon glowing lights there were in the film?

Jeff Bridges (Iron Man) reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, former CEO of ENCOM International and software programmer, who disappeared 15 years ago into his own creation, the world of Tron. Bridges also plays the main antagonist CLU 2, the updated version of a highly advanced hacking program that Kevin designed himself.

Kevin’s son Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) had always been haunted by his father’s abrupt disappearance. One fateful day, Kevin’s friend and executive consultant of ENCOM International, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) approached Sam with a mysterious page that came from the old abandoned office at Flynn’s Arcade. Although initially doubtful, Sam decided to check out the arcade to see if he could find out more about his father’s disappearance.

After locating the ancient Tron arcade game, Sam is transported into the world of The Grid where he is unceremoniously forced to battle for his life against other Programs. Still not fully comprehending what is going on around him, Sam is saved by hot babe Quorra (Olivia Wilde), a skilful warrior and ally of Kevin Flynn.

With her help, Sam and his father is reunited and they try to escape the world of Tron together.

The simple yet effective storyline perfectly captures the essence of the civilisation in The Grid, making it easy to understand for fans and newcomers alike.

As Sam comes across machines and programs that are more advanced than ever, the constant action sequences keeps the movie thrilling and the movie never slows down too much to become boring. Slow-motion scenes of vehicles materialising in mid-air, programs getting “derezzed” through various ways, and matrix-like fighting sequences will leave your mouth hanging open.

Oh, and it also helps that Daft Punk, the world-renowned electronic music duo who composed 23 tracks for the film, makes an appearance in one of the scenes.

The characters are fascinating, supporting the intriguing plot well. The epic finale also deserves praise, nearly making me jump out of my seat in a burst of anxiety just when I thought I’ve seen enough slow-mo scenes for a lifetime. The timely comedic scenes also relieves the tension of the ever-present sense of peril.

The only flaw in the movie is the lack of character development. New guys pop up and die off before you can remember their names while Programs that seem evil at first switch allegiences faster than you can say “changing sides”.

Furthermore, the almost non-existent background history of the characters makes impossible for viewers to connect with them, with them feeling like yet another pawn on the extremely large and colourful chessboard.

Still, the simplicity of the characters and the outstanding visual design creates a different kind of experience, one which all of the audience’s senses are wowed in a brilliant and awe-inspiring extravaganza of colour and sound.

To think the 1982 cult classic Tron would be bested 28 years later by one of the best sequels of 2010.

Movie: Tron: Legacy
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Duration: 127 minutes
Language: English
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde