Although lacking an emotional core and comprehensive plot, TRON: Legacy is never the less an immersive cinematic experience which features the best that 3-D visuals and special effects has to offer.

This is a film that needed technology to catch up to its ambition. While its predecessor, the 1982 cult classic TRON is much loved by a legion of fans, it has never the less become dated with clunky computer graphics inspiring grimaces as opposed to slack jawed wonder, which is what this sequel will induce in the most cynical of cinephile.

The film opens by filling in the details: Software programmer and digital world conqueror Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has revolutionised the computer age as the head of software corporation ENCOM (think Apple but bigger), only to disappear without a trace, leaving behind his company and young son Sam (Garrett Hedlund).

20 years later and Sam finally finds a lead into his fathers’ disappearance only to be transported into the digital realm his father has created, now under tyrannical rule by Flynn’s digital clone C.L.U, with Bridges playing the dual roles of synthetic duplicate and grizzled Zen master with equal ease.    

While its theme of a creator losing a grip on his creation is constant, and numerous philosophical and even theological elements are touched upon, they are just as quickly brushed aside for the next jaw dropping visual effects sequence.

Dramatic moments are also lacklustre, even though a talented cast do their best with the limited material on offer, Garrett Hedlund solid in his first major lead role, Olivia Wilde and Beau Garrett providing sex appeal, and Michael Sheen stealing every scene with his Ziggy Stardust meets Madhatter inspired turn as a club owner.

TRON: Legacy never promised nor delivers as a poignant experience, but it does meet its potential as an immersive journey in high grade science fiction, featuring an exceptional use of new 3D and motion capture technologies.

As Sam is sucked in to this world of light cycles and fluro buildings, so too are we transported in what can only be described as a state of the art techno metropolis, beautifully constructed and catching to the senses, with a pulsating and moody score by Daft Punk the perfect soundtrack.

That it was directed by first time filmmaker Joseph Kosinski only makes this construct that much more miraculous. Here is a director who knows how to use the 3D medium, not as novelty but as a tool which can create visual tapestries to marvel at.     

28 years is a long time between sequels, but in the case of TRON: Legacy it is time well spent.