In the past few years, studios have coined theterm “legacy sequel”as a way of describing modern additions to classic franchises that bring back the original stars. Often, these stars are used to help transition a new generation of heroes into prominence, even if the films themselves feature stories that are largely repetitive of the original classics. The genre has both its ups and downs; films likeStar Wars: The Force Awakens, Top Gun: Maverick, Blade Runner 2049,andCreedmanaged to re-energize their respective franchises, but disasters likeIndependence Day: Resurgence, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Terminator: Dark Fate,and the newHalloweentrilogy only felt disrespectful of the legacies they sought to honor.
1982’sTronwas somewhat of an oddity when it was first released, as it was only amoderate success at the box office. However, it’s a film that many viewers look back upon with fondness, as the retro gaming aesthetics invoke nostalgia for arcade buffs. Even if the visual effects that were groundbreaking at the time now look a little bit dated, they serve as a perfect time capsule for this era. There’s always a challenge in crafting a follow-up to such a cult hit, as it can be difficult to crack the same tone. However, 2010’sTron: Legacygot in on the “legacy sequel” much earlier than other franchises, and delivered a compelling new entry in the series that certainly deserves more love.
A Good Mix of Nostalgia and Newness
The opening ofTron: Legacyserves as a perfect bridge between the original film and the new adventure. It’s essential for a “legacy sequel” to work for both lifelong fans of the original and audiences who have never seen it, and the brief conversation between Jeff Bridges’ Kevin Flynn and his young son Sam achieves both goals. Those unfamiliar with the source material will see a heartfelt bond between a reckless dad and a nervous young boy, and originalTronfans may note the maturity that Flynn has gained since his adventures in the first film.Tron: Legacywas also one of the first films to utilize digital de-aging to make Bridges look like he did in the 1980s.
The central threat that the older Sam (played by Garrett Hedlund) faces once he grows up in the shadow of his father’s company ENCOM. Both films reflect upon the corruption of greedy executives that are willing to sacrifice groundbreaking research for the sake of gaining profit, and Sam honors his father’s beliefs by attempting to release his operating system online. The aesthetic within the game itself are similar to the original, but reflect how times have changed. While the basic concept for the “light cycle” combat matches and the races is similar to the original, the challenges inTron: Legacyhave been modernized to reflect the changes in gaming that have developed during the period in between.
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Visually and Aesthetically Stunning
The originalTronwas stunning at the time of its release, but the visuals have aged now due to the advancements in digital effects.Tron: Legacyutilizes the same neon lighting to create an even more stunning universe; even the scenes that take place outside of the Grid are shot in an intense, narrow fashion that pulsates with Hitchcockian tension. There’s also a major improvement in the coordination of the action sequences. The chases feel more exciting inTron: Legacydue to the interior shots within the cars that show Sam adjusting to the new module; it’s no surprise that the action feels so kinetic, as the film was directed by futureTop Gun: Maverickfilmmaker Joseph Kosinskiin his directorial debut.
It also helps that the film features an absolutely incredible soundtrack from Daft Punk that completely captures the neo-noir vibe of the film. Unlike failed legacy sequels such asJurassic World DominionandTexas Chainsaw Massacre,Tron: Legacydoesn’t attempt to add modern humor into the dialogue, as it instead uses the score to set the mood. The standalone beauty of the music is best seen during a stunning (and surprisingly hilarious) dance scene where Michael Sheen’s flamboyant character Zuse performs an impromptu performance atThe End of the Line Club.
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An Interesting Hook for a Franchise
An issue that many modern sequels have is attempting to set up a subsequent franchise in an awkward moment; there are several notable films that teased futureinstallments that never happened.Tron: Legacyspends the majority of its final moments resolving the emotional beats of the story so that it is satisfying on its own. Flynn’s sacrifice within the game feels like a proper end to his arc that now gives his son a role to fulfill in protecting the future of the Grid. Flynn’s original theories about artificial intelligence are proven correct when Olivia Wilde’s character Quorra appears in the real world alongside Sam.
The film has established Sam and Quorra as an interesting couple who are given a path to grow; Quorra is adjusting to the realities of being in a completely different world, and Sam must ensure that ENCON does not fall into the hands of another corrupt conspiracy. Cillian Murphy’s character Edward Dillinger, Jr., the head of ENCOM software security, voiced his opposition to Sam early on, suggesting that he could appear as an antagonist in a future installment; this would make sense, as the character is the son of David Warner’s villainous character in the original film.
While initially there were plans to move forward with a third installment,Disney halted development in 2015, which Hedlund suggested was due tothe failure ofTomorrowland, another live-action sci-fi film. Although a newTronfilm with Jared Leto appears to be moving forward, it’s unfortunate thatTron: Legacywas not appreciated during its initial release. Considering the vast array of legacy sequels that have been released since, the film simply feels ahead of its time. By merging nostalgia, creativity, and emotional resonance,Tron: Legacywas a terrific way to reboot a series and introduce it to a new generation.
