Thought I'd type up some more thought's on the film for you guys, I'll try and avoid spoilers, but there might be some mild one's in there too.
First off, I've never seen security like this at a cinema screening. 3 guards surrounded the screen like we were about to meet the president or something. They even made me and my friend turn our phones off in front of them. Madness.
Just to point out, my friend who I went with had never seen the original film and had little concept of Tron, so he's quite a good comparison to me, who list's Tron as one of my favourite films.
It would be easy enough to lavish praise on the design and special effect's of the film, but I think you'll see for yourselves. My eye's were literally bouncing across the screen scanning every detail, and it is immense. Even my mate, who is very much the average film goer, remarked on the beauty of design within this film.
Joseph Kosinski is a director to watch I think. Some of the camera movements were stunning, and not at all what you would expect. The film oozes creativity from every pore on that respect.
The story is actually rather well thought out, or at least I thought so. Apparantly the majority of the critic's disagreed. I mean, there's motivations for each character, and, refreshingly, the main characters dont always make the right decisions. The main problem I have for the film is pacing. There's a rather large buildup in the real world, followed by a lenghty non-stop series of action scene's set in the Arena, but once Sam meet's Flynn, the film grind's to a halt. Now, personally, I have no problem's with longer than normal films. These scene's are needed in order to build character, but for your average moviegoer, it might drag the film down a little too much. The film naturally picks up pace in the third act, but it's a lenghty wait inbetween the begining action scene's and the later one's.
Acting is fantastic across the board. I've read a lot of reviews that say Garrett Hedlund is the weak link, but his characterization barely allow's for much deviance. He play's the material well, but the character himself is stuck in "moody teenager mode" for much of the movie, and it's kinda hard to put in a show-stopping performance with it. Bridges is the man, as always. I find it incredible to think that he played Flynn and Clu. The two are so isomorphically different I doubt any actor other than the Dude could pull it off. The real suprise for me was Wilde, who I've never seen act in anything before. Of course I knew she was stunning, but was she just eye candy? No sir. She actually has a vital role to play, and she potrays a kind of childlike innocence that's inherently charming. Loved her in this. Sheen plays up the camp factor, but he does it with such brilliance you kinda wish he'd have more screen time. Aside from Clu, the other antagonist is Rinzler, whose kinda like this films Darth Maul. He even wields a double bladed lighsabre-y thing. It's a shame (and you'll see why I say this) that he wasnt given more time in the movie.
The action is intense. It really get's your blood pumping. The lightcycle chase is an amazing piece of action cinema. Say what you will about story and pacing, but the action is A+.
Finally...the soundtrack. I'm listening to it as I write this, if that's any indication as to it's quality. I'm a relatively recent Daft Punk fan, but I can see why they were chosen for the film. The real beauty of the score is the way the track's mesh so well with the film, yet stand on there own as powerful electro/orchestral hybrid's. I read somewhere also that they edited the action to the music, as opposed to the other way round, and it shows. Stunning in every sense of the word.
For those who wondering, you in no way have to see the original in order to understand this film. My mate wasnt sure if it was a remake or a sequel, but he had no problem following the actual story. There are shout out's for sure, but it doesn't compromise the film.
Simply put, the film rocks. I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but I dont care. I've the got the sequel I wanted. It's everything you would want out of a Tron sequel and more.
t: I wanna go in as fresh as possible.
