It's Just Movies

— by JOSUE SANCHEZ —

I’ve said it before, timing is everything, and what a perfect time to bring “Tron” back.

When the original “Tron”was released, it was state of the art. At the time, they were toying with a new technology, something called computer-generated graphics! What an interesting concept. Little did they know, it would change movie history forever. When “Terminator 2” showed off its liquid metal CGI effect, everyone was blown away, and with good reason. They were able to prove that blending live action with computer-generated art can be seamless and realistic.

Yet, it is important to remember that “Tron” was one of the first movies to attempt this concept, and although it didn’t have the powerful technology that “Terminator 2” had available, “Tron” was a visual success.

Now, in the afterglow of the success of the revolutionary “Avatar” — another movie to use new, unexplored technology — they bring us “Tron: Legacy,” which will further delve into the amazing 3D that has become so popular.

The tag-line for it reads; “The game has changed.” Yes, in the original “Tron,” they trapped the human game creators in the computer game by using a laser beam that transfers a person into a powerful computer, where they are forced to face various challenges (games).

That being said, it is important to remember what “Tron” was: a monitoring/security program. Will it be the same old one, or a new and improved program? Now that “the game has changed,” we can definitely expect them to raise the bar to another level, and since Disney is behind it, I have no doubt they will.

Here is Disney’s official description of the movie: Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidante (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

It is exciting that they are bringing Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner back to reprise their role as Kevin Flynn, the software engineer, and Alan Bradley/Tron, respectively. This rest of cast consists of Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen (of “Underworld” and “Alice in Wonderland”), John Hurt and Serinda Swann (of “Smallville” and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief) to simply mention a few.

This movie is many months away (even though we already had a trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1IpPpB3iWI several months ago), and now we present the poster below, which is definitely a nice teaser. It shows Hedlund’s character, Sam Flynn, riding the more modern-looking Light-cycles that we saw and loved in the original “Tron.”

Yes, the “Light Cycles” are back and improved by the genius designs of Daniel Simon. Although not on the poster, there are new vehicles being introduced in “Tron Legacy,” such as the “Light Runner.” I am looking forward to this movie, and all of the exciting ideas and concepts. It will also be in 3D and IMAX 3D, which should make the experience even more intriguing.

Look out for “Tron Legacy” on Dec. 17.

Follow Josue Sanchez on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Josue_can.