Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (first feature film)
Starring Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde
Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
It’s been so long since I saw the original Tron movie in 1982; I’ll try to keep the comparisons between the two films to a minimum. That being said, the first was groundbreaking but the new film is…well, not so much. This is another in a long series of movies or shows that have been retooled and like so many on that list the updated visual effects are stunning in Tron: Legacy.
If you read our reviews you know how much I love 3D films and how much Jonathan hates them. So I decided (against every fiber of my movie-going being) to see Tron in 2D. As I’m walking out, I overhear the two guys behind me talking. The basic gist of the conversation… “This was ok…but it is AMAZING in 3D.” Thanks Jonathan!
Ok back to the movie. The updated virtual computer world and outfits are very cool. There is a nice contrast between the blue and the red color schemes. Generally, the good guys wear blue and the bad guys wear red (like the light saber colors in the Star Wars films). The other updates including the light bikes and laser discs are a bazillion times cooler.
As far as the cast, Garrett Hedlund holds his own and Jeff Bridges is Jeff Bridges. Probably the most “interesting” character in the film is Castor (Michael Sheen). He is kind of like David Bowie on crack. Castor is a nightclub owner who is contacted by Sam who hopes he can arrange transport to the terminal.
On the whole, however, the main reason to see this is for the visual effects, which PROBABLY look great in 3D. But I’ll go with a Rental.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is nothing offensive in this one.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: The basic plot of the film involves the conflict between Flynn and his avatar Clu. Clu was commissioned to make the perfect society, but like other characters before him not only did he fail to do so, he himself became corrupted with power and this ultimately lead to his demise.
Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Long before (Spiderman) Peter Parker’s uncle told him, “That with great power comes great responsibility”, Jesus said, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
We need to ask ourselves and our students/teenagers, “What have we been given? What has been entrusted to us? And how are we doing with those things?”
Are we being faithful? Are we using the gifts God has given us to accomplish the mission He has given us?
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Once you spend some time answering those hard questions, discuss where and how to best use your gifts. There may be a ministry in your church or an organization in your community that could really use your help. Get plugged in and use your gifts!
