In some ways, Tron: Legacy is the perfect reboot. That is, we define narrative perfection like a mathematical equation or a strict recipe. And although the idea of remakes or reimagining of preexisting genre worlds has been around for a long, long time, the word “reboot” shot to everyday prominence after 2005, being used to describe both Batman Begins and the 2009 Star Trek film. In 2010, Tron: Legacy entered into that cultural moment, technically, as a sequel to the 1982 film, Tron, but because 28 years had passed, Legacy was basically a reboot, too: a sequel that also is trying to bring back an entire franchise, without making it too hard on casual viewers.
And, 15 years after its release on December 17, 2010, Tron: Legacy curiously holds up. Part of the reason for its watchability is the fact that, in many ways, this film firmly established the soft reboot formula, which continues, for better or worse, to this day.
