Almost 30 years after the original, technologically-groundbreaking, cult-following film, the world of ‘Tron’ returns with ‘Tron: Legacy.’ Like the original ‘Tron’, the sequel is technologically state-of-the-art, and is a visual delight. However, the film is lacking in its storytelling, plot, and character development. If this sounds familiar at all, then you probably guessed it – sounds exactly like ‘Avatar‘.

‘Tron: Legacy’ is similar to ‘Avatar’ in a lot of ways. Both were technologically-innovative science-fiction films. Both were visually stunning. And both focused more on their look than their characters or plot. So basically ‘Tron: Legacy’ has the same positive and negative qualities that ‘Avatar’ had, though ‘Avatar’ is definitely a better (and more entertaining) film, hands down (I hope that satisfied ya, Renee! Lol).

The film’s protagonist is Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the son of the original film’s protagonist, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges from ‘Crazy Heart’, ‘Iron Man’, & ‘True Grit’). Sam’s father had been missing for about 20 years for unexplained reasons, but if you’ve seen the trailers then you already know that he’s actually been trapped inside “The Grid,” a type of digital/virtual world that exists within the Tron arcade game. A page from Kevin’s old office leads Sam to the discovery of “The Grid,” and Sam ends up getting sucked into the virtual world.

The first act of ‘Tron: Legacy’ is where all the interesting parts take place. As Sam learns more about the world of “The Grid,” so do we as the audience. Sam is immediately forced to take part in a gladiatorial game that includes sleek disc battles and invigorating light cycle races. These “games” are entertaining and visually stunning, though all the posing is sometimes laughable and gets old pretty quickly.

After the games, Sam meets Quorra, played by the beautiful Olivia Wilde (‘House’). Quorra is a strong character and can kick ass. We find out that she’s been fathered and trained by Kevin for the past few years (or cycles), which leads to Sam reuniting with his father. Kevin explains to us  years ago he created a digital-doppelganger of himself, named Clu, and that Tron (Bruce Boxleitner), Clu, and he were running “The Grid” and trying to create the perfect world. Clu eventually becomes obsessed with perfecting the digital world, betrays Tron and Kevin, and goes on to rule “The Grid” dictatorially.

Clu is a digitally younger version of Jeff Bridges. The same has been done in past films like ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’. Modern technology has made it to where a digitally-younger Jeff Bridges is possible and believable, though at times the digital face looks hollow and creepy.

‘Tron: Legacy’ has a unique and stunning look to it. It boasts dazzling visuals, like ‘Avatar’, but in a different way. Where ‘Avatar’ had bright, beautiful colors, ‘Tron: Legacy’ has dark, neon lights. I’m a sucker for sleek, stylish visuals, and that’s what this film has. The skin-tight costumes and the glowing blue or orange lights make the film a delight to look at. The entire world of “The Grid” just has an awesome, simple, futuristic appeal and look to it.

The action within the film is fun and exciting. Though some of the action is slow and corny at times, for the most part it’s entertaining. The soundtrack to the film makes the action even greater. Produced by the amazing French electronica-duo Daft Punk, the exhilarating electronic-orchestral score not only matches the film’s visual standards, but also matches the action taking place on screen beat-for-beat, and makes the film all the more appealing. The Daft Punk-produced soundtrack is truly amazing.

Though the visuals, action, and score of the film were all wonderful, the acting and character development of the film could have used more work. Garrett Hedlund is merely “okay” as the lead character. His acting is too stiff and Hedlund never appears to be enjoying himself. Academy Award-winner Jeff Bridges manages to pull off his portrayal of the hippie-ish, but wise and all-knowing Kevin Flynn, as well as his portrayal of the sinister Clu. Bridges’ portrayal is nothing special, but it’s effective enough for a film like ‘Tron: Legacy.’ Olivia Wilde’s Quorra is probably the best character in the film. She’s energetic, fun, and delightful. Also featured in the film is a character named Castor, played by Michael Sheen. The flamboyant, but creepy, Castor is a fun character because he brings energy and light to the film’s dark tone and setting.

The film’s plot is, for the most part, muddled, absurd, and confusing. There’s a lot of suspension-of-disbelief elements to ‘Tron: Legacy.’ Why and how does Quorra know or think a character named Zuse would be helpful in getting Sam to where he needs to be? How does Clu get more powerful every time Kevin and he battle? Why does reintegration have to kill off both characters that are involved? These are some of the many unexplained questions in the film, and they’re probably included in the film “just because.” The plot also involves something called ISOs which were poorly explained in the film. The plot is interesting, but also fairly predictable and cliche.

I’m glad there wasn’t a romantic aspect to the film, for that would’ve probably been a distraction to the plot. The filmmakers were smart not to make Sam and Quorra love interests, though it is hinted that there may be some kind of connection between the two (which would be weird because she’s a virtual creation, whereas Sam is a real person).

There are parts in the film that seem to have been inspired by ‘Star Wars’, though I’m not sure if it was purposeful or accidental. Clu resembled Darth Vader slightly in the beginning of the film, and even has a similar quote to a famous one from ‘Star Wars.’ I think it goes something like, “Sam, I’m not your father.” Also, Kevin has an extremely similar appearance to Obi-Wan Kenobi from the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, and the reintegration scene at the end of the film made the similarity even more evident. Also, the reintegration scene was absurdly hilarious.

‘Tron: Legacy’ is very similar to ‘Avatar’, and it looks like it’s attempting to be just as successful. Both films were released on the same exact December weekend, one year apart, and both films are innovative films that offered great visuals and a unique world, and focused on 3D. ‘Tron: Legacy’ is entertaining and fun, but dumb. And even though it isn’t a great film, I hope it makes enough money for another entertaining and fun sequel.

Three out of four Kents.