END OF LINE.
July 27, 2009 7:06 AM Subscribe
There's a new Tron movie coming out, and it promises to be kind of rad. In other news, the trailer seems to mash-up perfectly with Michael Jackson's Beat It.
Yeah, I've been trying to stop re-posting Kottke, but this one was just so tasty and delicious I couldn't resist.
Yeah, I've been trying to stop re-posting Kottke, but this one was just so tasty and delicious I couldn't resist.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- goodnewsfortheinsane
Holy shit that mashup is awesome.
Of course "both trailers are the same video" -- it's the same fucking trailer, once in the original and once as a mash-up.
posted by creasy boy at 7:22 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Of course "both trailers are the same video" -- it's the same fucking trailer, once in the original and once as a mash-up.
posted by creasy boy at 7:22 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
So that's the trailer for the original Tron? Looks remarkably modern. Also, the first link text says "new Tron movie" so I guess that video is wrong, because it's the trailer for the original Tron.
posted by DU at 7:24 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by DU at 7:24 AM on July 27, 2009
Oh I see. Yeah, there seems to be some confusion in the post, now that you mention it.
posted by creasy boy at 7:27 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by creasy boy at 7:27 AM on July 27, 2009
Define "mash-up perfectly".
The trailer is cut at 140-ish bpm?
posted by uncleozzy at 7:29 AM on July 27, 2009
The trailer is cut at 140-ish bpm?
posted by uncleozzy at 7:29 AM on July 27, 2009
Both of those videos are the teaser for the NEW Tron movie (actually "test footage" original released at last year's ComiCon). Not the old.
Still friggin' cool.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:29 AM on July 27, 2009
Still friggin' cool.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:29 AM on July 27, 2009
I have edited the post text for clarity at Afroblanco's request. Carry on.
posted by cortex at 7:31 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by cortex at 7:31 AM on July 27, 2009
Compared to this trailer, the original movie looks fresh and new.
posted by scrowdid at 7:31 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by scrowdid at 7:31 AM on July 27, 2009
I predict this movie will fail.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:33 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:33 AM on July 27, 2009
It's funny that they chose flynnlives.com as the domain... does anyone even remember the characters from Tron?
posted by smackfu at 7:41 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by smackfu at 7:41 AM on July 27, 2009
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron?
The Dude abides.
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009 [14 favorites]
The Dude abides.
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009 [14 favorites]
Smackfu, I remember the movie. Flynn didn't die; he took over the company.
posted by datawrangler at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by datawrangler at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron?
I sure do, but then I probably watch it once every couple of years. It holds up surprisingly well.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009
I sure do, but then I probably watch it once every couple of years. It holds up surprisingly well.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:43 AM on July 27, 2009
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron?
I remember a bit.
posted by scrowdid at 7:46 AM on July 27, 2009 [29 favorites]
I remember a bit.
posted by scrowdid at 7:46 AM on July 27, 2009 [29 favorites]
Flynn didn't die; he took over the company.
In the new movie, Flynn became a recluse before disappearing many years before the movie starts. Hence the "Flynn lives."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:47 AM on July 27, 2009
In the new movie, Flynn became a recluse before disappearing many years before the movie starts. Hence the "Flynn lives."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:47 AM on July 27, 2009
The Dude abides.
It's kinda hard to avoid thinking that when seeing Jeff Bridges in anything even remotely resembling a bathrobe. It's lucky that he wasn't cast as Arthur in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or I'd be permanently confused.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:48 AM on July 27, 2009
It's kinda hard to avoid thinking that when seeing Jeff Bridges in anything even remotely resembling a bathrobe. It's lucky that he wasn't cast as Arthur in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or I'd be permanently confused.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:48 AM on July 27, 2009
Greetings, programs!
posted by grubi at 7:51 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by grubi at 7:51 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The original Tron was stupid. The video game AND the movie. There, I said it.
posted by Mister_A at 7:51 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by Mister_A at 7:51 AM on July 27, 2009
Disney staged a very awesome-looking Tron promo thing at Comic-con, by making a replica of Flynn's complete with playable machines (Space Paranoids! yee) and a nifty little stunt involving a "power surge" or something.
posted by Monster_Zero at 7:53 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Monster_Zero at 7:53 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
I have a hard time not thinking of Jeff Bridges, regardless of the actual role, as The Dude. Iron Man? He's just The Dude, a few years later. The original Tron? A younger The Dude.
posted by vernondalhart at 7:55 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by vernondalhart at 7:55 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't have the time to make my big ass "GET OFF MY LAWN" blog post, but it's coming, but can we rant about why the HELL the new Tron has to be "3D" and why in gods name are folks following Katenzberg like lemmings down the "3D is the new HD" train he started last year ? Seriously. Movie ticket sales are down, so we're going to go back to 1940 and pretend that throwing 3D at people is going to get them back in the theaters? Seroiusly. OMG THAT SPOON IS COMING FOR MEEE OHHH LOL.
The fuck.
There, that's the condensed version.
posted by cavalier at 7:56 AM on July 27, 2009 [5 favorites]
The fuck.
There, that's the condensed version.
posted by cavalier at 7:56 AM on July 27, 2009 [5 favorites]
The original Tron was stupid. The video game AND the movie. There, I said it.
Bring in the logic probe!
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [15 favorites]
Bring in the logic probe!
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [15 favorites]
Yeah I was pretty meh about them going 'Oh hey update for them explodey-lovin' kids!' until I saw HOLY SHIT JEFF BRIDGES IS STILL IN IT
posted by shakespeherian at 7:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 7:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [6 favorites]
There were two video games: one that made no sense and really upset me as a kid when I put money into it, and the other one that was the disc game and that shit was awesome.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:05 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:05 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
They made a (Highly Underrated) sequel/videogame in 2003 - Tron 2.0
It is actually a really well done game, and if you enjoyed Tron, I can't recommend giving the game a run through enough. They nailed it. It's a shame it didn't get marketed better, because it really was one of the best games in 2003.
I'm excited about a new Tron movie - I saw the original every weekend or so the summer it came out, and blew the rest of my allowance on Zaxxon or Omega Race. I watched it again this past weekend with my son. Tron, and to a lesser extent, The Last Starfighter, are two of the seminal movies of my childhood.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 8:05 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
It is actually a really well done game, and if you enjoyed Tron, I can't recommend giving the game a run through enough. They nailed it. It's a shame it didn't get marketed better, because it really was one of the best games in 2003.
I'm excited about a new Tron movie - I saw the original every weekend or so the summer it came out, and blew the rest of my allowance on Zaxxon or Omega Race. I watched it again this past weekend with my son. Tron, and to a lesser extent, The Last Starfighter, are two of the seminal movies of my childhood.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 8:05 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
A sequel to Tron seems like such a bad idea. Regardless of whether you love or hate the original, there seem to be many reasons to just leave it alone as at least an interesting historical document.
posted by pziemba at 8:06 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by pziemba at 8:06 AM on July 27, 2009
why the HELL the new Tron has to be "3D"
I agree with your general premise, but really, I can sort of give them a pass on ths one. I mean, it's TRON... in 3D. Won't anyone think of the stoners?
this is definitely kind of rad.
posted by molecicco
Not to be confused with Rad.
posted by empyrean at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
I agree with your general premise, but really, I can sort of give them a pass on ths one. I mean, it's TRON... in 3D. Won't anyone think of the stoners?
this is definitely kind of rad.
posted by molecicco
Not to be confused with Rad.
posted by empyrean at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
So what exactly is the new lightcycle behaviour? They can only ever follow a non-uniform rational B-spline path?
posted by CaseyB at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [17 favorites]
posted by CaseyB at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [17 favorites]
I saw the original Tron for the first time on Laserdisc. I'll see Tron 2 in Disney Digital 3D. Can't wait to see what absurd technology I will get to watch Tron 3 in.
That being said, I'm very excited for this movie.
Thanks for posting this, Afroblanco. I really wanted to get it up here to see what everybody has to say about it, but I didn't have the extra spice that the excellent "Beat It" mash-up added. Kudos.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
That being said, I'm very excited for this movie.
Thanks for posting this, Afroblanco. I really wanted to get it up here to see what everybody has to say about it, but I didn't have the extra spice that the excellent "Beat It" mash-up added. Kudos.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
CaseyB: So what exactly is the new lightcycle behaviour? They can only ever follow a non-uniform rational B-spline path?
Yeah what the hell where are all the right angles?
posted by shakespeherian at 8:11 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
Yeah what the hell where are all the right angles?
posted by shakespeherian at 8:11 AM on July 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
Oh, and this might be a good time to bring up Armagetron, which has helped me pass many a dull class period on my macbook.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by buriednexttoyou at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The original Tron? A younger The Dude.
MAUDE
What do you do for fun?
DUDE
Oh, you know, the usual. Bowl. Drive around. The occasional Game Grid flashback.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2009 [7 favorites]
MAUDE
What do you do for fun?
DUDE
Oh, you know, the usual. Bowl. Drive around. The occasional Game Grid flashback.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2009 [7 favorites]
When I first saw Tron, I thought, "THIS is what I want to do with computers. Make art!"
Sadly, when trying to explain this to various colleges around the state of New Mexico I got blank stares and was told I could be a computer programmer (something I did in high school already and found it wasn't to my liking) or an engineer (I guess "artistry" can be applied to circuit board design, but ... no) if I wanted to work "artistically" with computers. I seemed to be the only applicant that thought computers were capable of more than literal number-crunching.
Cut to California about nine and half years later. I'm living in Santa Barbara, talking to the animators in that worked at the old Wavefront Technologies, asking how they had become animations. Nearly all of them were marine biologists or geologists. Why? They needed "complex visualizations" is about as far as my eyes glazed over. I just wanted to help make light cycles and recognizers, man! At any rate, it looks like I was born about 10 years too early, and in the wrong state of our Union. Sigh.
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron
Hey, signs and portents of things to come: both Bruce Boxleitner (Alan Bradley and Tron, of course) AND Peter Jurasik (Crom) were in Tron. I also had a teenage gay boy crush on Dan Shor (Ram ... huh huh huh huh).
posted by WolfDaddy at 8:16 AM on July 27, 2009
Sadly, when trying to explain this to various colleges around the state of New Mexico I got blank stares and was told I could be a computer programmer (something I did in high school already and found it wasn't to my liking) or an engineer (I guess "artistry" can be applied to circuit board design, but ... no) if I wanted to work "artistically" with computers. I seemed to be the only applicant that thought computers were capable of more than literal number-crunching.
Cut to California about nine and half years later. I'm living in Santa Barbara, talking to the animators in that worked at the old Wavefront Technologies, asking how they had become animations. Nearly all of them were marine biologists or geologists. Why? They needed "complex visualizations" is about as far as my eyes glazed over. I just wanted to help make light cycles and recognizers, man! At any rate, it looks like I was born about 10 years too early, and in the wrong state of our Union. Sigh.
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron
Hey, signs and portents of things to come: both Bruce Boxleitner (Alan Bradley and Tron, of course) AND Peter Jurasik (Crom) were in Tron. I also had a teenage gay boy crush on Dan Shor (Ram ... huh huh huh huh).
posted by WolfDaddy at 8:16 AM on July 27, 2009
They made a (Highly Underrated) sequel/videogame in 2003 - Tron 2.0
I really enjoyed that game. Although I enjoyed it more on replay. Some of those puzzles allowed for near-endless bit searching. The atmosphere was right on, though. This description from the wiki page nails it: The levels are abstract as the ambiance seen in the movie, not to say surreal: they feature energy bridges and gates, neon-glowing contours, vibrant colors, floating boxes and tiles, teleports and deep chasms.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:16 AM on July 27, 2009
I really enjoyed that game. Although I enjoyed it more on replay. Some of those puzzles allowed for near-endless bit searching. The atmosphere was right on, though. This description from the wiki page nails it: The levels are abstract as the ambiance seen in the movie, not to say surreal: they feature energy bridges and gates, neon-glowing contours, vibrant colors, floating boxes and tiles, teleports and deep chasms.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:16 AM on July 27, 2009
There's really only one cool "mash-up moment" and that's at :27. The rest just "mashes up" in the way a lot of music seems to abstractly complement whatever it is you're watching.
posted by jeremy b at 8:18 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by jeremy b at 8:18 AM on July 27, 2009
Man, TRON was my favorite movie as a kid. My friends and I played a game where we would throw frisbees at each other and try to block them with another frisbee. Good times.
This mashup is awesome with the exception that they cut off the best part of the song! I don't care if you need to go to black for a few miniutes, let Eddie do his thing!
Can't wait for the new movie. Looks pretty sweet.
posted by jpdoane at 8:20 AM on July 27, 2009
This mashup is awesome with the exception that they cut off the best part of the song! I don't care if you need to go to black for a few miniutes, let Eddie do his thing!
Can't wait for the new movie. Looks pretty sweet.
posted by jpdoane at 8:20 AM on July 27, 2009
> Rad is no Gleaming the Cube.
You take that back right now.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2009
You take that back right now.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2009
Yeah what the hell where are all the right angles?
They were used up on the set of Automan.
posted by fatbird at 8:24 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
They were used up on the set of Automan.
posted by fatbird at 8:24 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I got confused because I thought Blue Bike was Old Jeff Bridges at first, and when Yellow Bike's helmet lit up and it was Young Jeff Bridges I had a major Empire Strikes Back flashback: "No, Tron*...I am your father!"
* yeah, I know Bridges' character isn't actually named Tron...
posted by you just lost the game at 8:25 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
* yeah, I know Bridges' character isn't actually named Tron...
posted by you just lost the game at 8:25 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I predict this movie will fail.
Then you were not in any of the cinemas where the first teaser (not the one in the FPP) was tested last year. It was attached to the beginning of a couple of films, unannounced. I think it was the same as the Comicon version a few months later, and presumably at a higher resolution: the first video anything when Disney revealed the project.
It's not clear at first whether it's an ad for another videogame, a theme park, or what, until the moment Jeff Bridges shows up near the end. This reveal sent a wave of Holy Fuck it's really a Tron movie! roaring through the crowd, and brought the same kind of spontaneous cheering that the first Lord of the Rings trailers did, the same way people (used to) cheer at that LucasFilm logo, back in the good old days when Indy shot first instead of blowing Jar-Jar under the table.
And this was not a comic book convention geek-fest. This was random movie-going crowd in Los Angeles.
Don't underestimate the nostagia, nor the disposable income, of children of the 80's.
posted by rokusan at 8:30 AM on July 27, 2009 [16 favorites]
Then you were not in any of the cinemas where the first teaser (not the one in the FPP) was tested last year. It was attached to the beginning of a couple of films, unannounced. I think it was the same as the Comicon version a few months later, and presumably at a higher resolution: the first video anything when Disney revealed the project.
It's not clear at first whether it's an ad for another videogame, a theme park, or what, until the moment Jeff Bridges shows up near the end. This reveal sent a wave of Holy Fuck it's really a Tron movie! roaring through the crowd, and brought the same kind of spontaneous cheering that the first Lord of the Rings trailers did, the same way people (used to) cheer at that LucasFilm logo, back in the good old days when Indy shot first instead of blowing Jar-Jar under the table.
And this was not a comic book convention geek-fest. This was random movie-going crowd in Los Angeles.
Don't underestimate the nostagia, nor the disposable income, of children of the 80's.
posted by rokusan at 8:30 AM on July 27, 2009 [16 favorites]
Yeah what the hell where are all the right angles?
Resolution is much higher now.
Rejected title: Tron: Antialiased.
posted by rokusan at 8:31 AM on July 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
Resolution is much higher now.
Rejected title: Tron: Antialiased.
posted by rokusan at 8:31 AM on July 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
There were two video games: one that made no sense and really upset me as a kid when I put money into it, and the other one that was the disc game and that shit was awesome.
Ooooh. The one with speakers around and behind you. I remember that.
The only stand-up booth videogame I remember, come to think of it.
posted by rokusan at 8:34 AM on July 27, 2009
Ooooh. The one with speakers around and behind you. I remember that.
The only stand-up booth videogame I remember, come to think of it.
posted by rokusan at 8:34 AM on July 27, 2009
CaseyB: So what exactly is the new lightcycle behaviour? They can only ever follow a non-uniform rational B-spline path?
Nah, same as it ever was: right angles on the Game Grid, full motorcycle simulation off of it.
Though maybe the Game Grid's been updated, I dunno. This looks more like "deep in the digital wilderness" than "new-style game grid" though.
posted by egypturnash at 8:34 AM on July 27, 2009
Nah, same as it ever was: right angles on the Game Grid, full motorcycle simulation off of it.
Though maybe the Game Grid's been updated, I dunno. This looks more like "deep in the digital wilderness" than "new-style game grid" though.
posted by egypturnash at 8:34 AM on July 27, 2009
I pretty much think Micheal Jackson is doing that right now in his heaven. Except there's a monkey on the bike of his bike.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:37 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:37 AM on July 27, 2009
Movie ticket sales are down...
According to this site, movie ticket sales have held steady for the past 15 years and 2009 is on track to be the highest-grossing year since 2004. According to this site, a lot more tickets are sold per year than used to be sold and revenues are way higher than they used to be (although I'm sure they should be adjusted for inflation).
posted by ekroh at 8:38 AM on July 27, 2009
According to this site, movie ticket sales have held steady for the past 15 years and 2009 is on track to be the highest-grossing year since 2004. According to this site, a lot more tickets are sold per year than used to be sold and revenues are way higher than they used to be (although I'm sure they should be adjusted for inflation).
posted by ekroh at 8:38 AM on July 27, 2009
can we rant about why the HELL the new Tron has to be "3D"
Dude, I would be right there with you -- my last memorable 3-D experience being Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn in 1983, followed by numerous terrible pseudo-documentaries. They all shared the same quality, which SCTV so cleanly lampooned with its "3-D House of Pancakes": sacrifice any aspect of the film, plot, character, anything, in order to get things to move toward the viewer and then away. Toward and away. They also featured 2, maybe 3 levels of depth, like a cheap Crackerjack "hologram" prize. So had this conversation taken place 6 weeks ago, I'd be in complete agreement.
Then I saw "Up".
I am now looking forward to seeing what they may do with new 3-D features.
(though of course, one clever film doesn't preclude successive terrible ones)
And yeah, Jeff Bridges. I bet there were cheers.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:39 AM on July 27, 2009
Dude, I would be right there with you -- my last memorable 3-D experience being Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn in 1983, followed by numerous terrible pseudo-documentaries. They all shared the same quality, which SCTV so cleanly lampooned with its "3-D House of Pancakes": sacrifice any aspect of the film, plot, character, anything, in order to get things to move toward the viewer and then away. Toward and away. They also featured 2, maybe 3 levels of depth, like a cheap Crackerjack "hologram" prize. So had this conversation taken place 6 weeks ago, I'd be in complete agreement.
Then I saw "Up".
I am now looking forward to seeing what they may do with new 3-D features.
(though of course, one clever film doesn't preclude successive terrible ones)
And yeah, Jeff Bridges. I bet there were cheers.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:39 AM on July 27, 2009
vernondalhart: The original Tron? A younger The Dude.
I shouldn't have written all of those tank programs. They're gonna kill that poor woman.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:43 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I shouldn't have written all of those tank programs. They're gonna kill that poor woman.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:43 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I watched it again this past weekend with my son. Tron, and to a lesser extent, The Last Starfighter, are two of the seminal movies of my childhood.
I read this as "I watched it again this past weekend with my son, Tron, and to a lesser extent etc. etc" and thought, damn, he named his son Tron? I would have gone with Clu.
posted by penduluum at 8:44 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I read this as "I watched it again this past weekend with my son, Tron, and to a lesser extent etc. etc" and thought, damn, he named his son Tron? I would have gone with Clu.
posted by penduluum at 8:44 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
yeah i kinda liked the linear lightcycles, too.
posted by Capt Jingo at 8:46 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by Capt Jingo at 8:46 AM on July 27, 2009
jeremy b: there's actually another really good mashup moment at 1:50. even better than the first one, maybe.
posted by 256 at 8:47 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by 256 at 8:47 AM on July 27, 2009
I knew this trailer was floating around out there, but hadn't gotten around to watching it until just now. With "Beat It" as the backing music. When I go to the film and strap on my 3D glasses, I'll likely have forgotten the circumstances of my first exposure to footage of the new movie. When the lightcycle scene kicks in, I have every confidence that my brain will try to mess with me by cranking up the Michael Jackson on my mental radio. It'll be quite a day for eighties nostalgia, after all.
posted by EatTheWeek at 8:49 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by EatTheWeek at 8:49 AM on July 27, 2009
End Of Line. -- posted by Samizdata
Given the title of the FPP up there... eponysterical.
posted by rokusan at 8:53 AM on July 27, 2009
Given the title of the FPP up there... eponysterical.
posted by rokusan at 8:53 AM on July 27, 2009
I shouldn't have written all of those tank programs. They're gonna kill that poor woman.
What the fuck are you talking about? That poor woman... that poor SLUT... corrupted herself.
posted by rokusan at 8:55 AM on July 27, 2009
What the fuck are you talking about? That poor woman... that poor SLUT... corrupted herself.
posted by rokusan at 8:55 AM on July 27, 2009
cavalier: can we rant about why the HELL the new Tron has to be "3D"
The new 3D is very different to the old 3D. Its not just a gimmick anymore. Wait until you see Cameron's "Avatar".
posted by memebake at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2009
The new 3D is very different to the old 3D. Its not just a gimmick anymore. Wait until you see Cameron's "Avatar".
posted by memebake at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2009
"Disney staged a very awesome-looking Tron promo thing at Comic-con, by making a replica of Flynn's complete with playable machines (Space Paranoids! yee) and a nifty little stunt involving a "power surge" or something."
I was there on Thursday night, in the first group of people they let into the arcade (I took pictures and put them on flickr - self link warning) and for want of a better phrase, it was BATSHIT INSANE. I posted this on Flickr (abridged for more detail), as people were asking what exactly happened, and how we ended up there:
posted by saturnine at 9:11 AM on July 27, 2009 [9 favorites]
I was there on Thursday night, in the first group of people they let into the arcade (I took pictures and put them on flickr - self link warning) and for want of a better phrase, it was BATSHIT INSANE. I posted this on Flickr (abridged for more detail), as people were asking what exactly happened, and how we ended up there:
My husband followed a link from a site (could be io9?) to flynnlives.com last week - if you clicked on a spider, it gave instructions to "meet at the cul de sac of 1st and J when the numbers run out" with a countdown clock. We got there at about 8 o'clock, and there were a few people waiting. By 9, a group of people with "Flynn Lives" tshirts had set up a table, and gave us instructions for a scavenger hunt. They gave us a little pack with a grid, a map and a torch that doubled up as a UV light. There were posters along a small section of Downtown San Diego, and everyone had to run around finding co-ordinates that corresponded with hidden UV-seen-only numbers on the poster, and they led to a spot on the map.Even now, I am just gobsmacked at the amount of effort they put into the promotion - all the signs, the working (and free!) vintage games. I can barely remember the original film, I think my father watched it a few times when I was very young, but the teaser/trailer combined with the arcade and bike has got me really amped up for the sequel. Not only that but I need to go back and see the original.
In the end, they still had to point us to the entrance of the building, it had a giant FLYNN'S in neon outside. They checked that we had the grids and let us in - reveealing the arcade! After about 10 minutes, the lights and 80s music started flickring, and they pulled out the wall behind the Tron arcade game, Daft Punk started playing, and we followed a tunnel to the Lightcycle. Once we'd been exposed to that, we left, picking up a poster and tshirt on the way out (and only if we'd filled out the grid from the scavenger hunt properly!). Absolutely amazing.
Just for the record, this is the first ever viral event I've even been to, it was entirely unexpected, and we were almost ready to go back to the car and drive home because after a long day of standing in the queue for Hall H, my feet were killing me. So glad we didn't.
posted by saturnine at 9:11 AM on July 27, 2009 [9 favorites]
Oh, and they also gave out arcade tokens with Tron/Flynn's stamped on the side. We found one in Hall H, and other people reported finding them across the convention too. On the way back to the car yesterday, after Comic Con was done for us, the bouncer on the door (they were taking everything apart and packing it up) gave us a couple more and told us they were going for $25+ on eBay.
posted by saturnine at 9:14 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by saturnine at 9:14 AM on July 27, 2009
TRON is one of the most uniquely made movies of all time. It's thought of as "the first movie with real computer animation", but what really makes it special is that amount of painstaking hand-labour that went into every frame of the film for scenes inside the computer world. The filmmakers went to incredible lengths to get the "inner glow" look of objects and people in these scenes. On average there were 14 optical passes done on each frame just to achieve this look.
posted by autodidact at 9:21 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by autodidact at 9:21 AM on July 27, 2009
I think 3D is fine in a movie, so long as the producers of the film realize that it might be seen NOT in 3D (say, on DVD perhaps) and make sure that the film is still enjoyable when it isn't 3D. Polar Express, for example. It was fun in 3D but at the same time, I recognized that watching it on DVD would make it far less interesting, because 75% of the film was set up to wow you by the 3D-ness of it all. Without the 3D presentation, well... it falls flat. (No pun intended.)
To be a good 3D film, it needs to be screened as a non-3D for a test audience. If they don't like the visuals, it needs to be retooled. There may be a time when 3D is so ubiquitous that our home TVs will be holographic presentation screens and film purists are lamenting the efforts of some studios to go back and add 3D to classic films (just like they did with color). But until we reach that point, we can only really get the good 3D effects on the big screen, so I hope to god the studios remember this when planning the camera angles and et cetera.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:22 AM on July 27, 2009
To be a good 3D film, it needs to be screened as a non-3D for a test audience. If they don't like the visuals, it needs to be retooled. There may be a time when 3D is so ubiquitous that our home TVs will be holographic presentation screens and film purists are lamenting the efforts of some studios to go back and add 3D to classic films (just like they did with color). But until we reach that point, we can only really get the good 3D effects on the big screen, so I hope to god the studios remember this when planning the camera angles and et cetera.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:22 AM on July 27, 2009
Here's a direct link to download the hi-res trailer (244 megs).
I'm excited that they're doing a remake, but that trailer doesn't give me hope. The original Tron movie is terrific. A lot of what made it work was that it was obvious it was guys in jumpsuits with fluorescent piping, but it was so imaginative. Like nothing else I'd ever seen before, and very cool. It was like someone made Metropolis, then the world waited 60 years before making another movie like it. The new trailer just looks really slick and digital, like a rehash of the old film with updated 3D effects.
I second the recommendations above for the Tron 2.0 computer game. It was neat.
I'm excited that they're doing a remake, but that trailer doesn't give me hope. The original Tron movie is terrific. A lot of what made it work was that it was obvious it was guys in jumpsuits with fluorescent piping, but it was so imaginative. Like nothing else I'd ever seen before, and very cool. It was like someone made Metropolis, then the world waited 60 years before making another movie like it. The new trailer just looks really slick and digital, like a rehash of the old film with updated 3D effects.
I second the recommendations above for the Tron 2.0 computer game. It was neat.
The Kernel will never retreatposted by Nelson at 9:35 AM on July 27, 2009
And neither will I
Drive C forever!
I originally saw Tron when I was so young, and it was so unlike anything else about, that for a while I was convinced it didn't really exist and I'd just childishly misremembered something more mundane.
Its ironic comeback is nice, but it was kind of more fun for me when it had a bit of mystery involved.
posted by chorltonmeateater at 9:41 AM on July 27, 2009
Its ironic comeback is nice, but it was kind of more fun for me when it had a bit of mystery involved.
posted by chorltonmeateater at 9:41 AM on July 27, 2009
Open topped lightcycles? But think of all the bugs and bits you'd end up driving through.
Madness!
posted by quin at 9:41 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Madness!
posted by quin at 9:41 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Tron was at least twice as good as The Matrix. There, I said it.
posted by vibrotronica at 9:42 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by vibrotronica at 9:42 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've heard the big push for 3D is supposedly to kill off piracy. Good luck with that.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2009
This reveal sent a wave of Holy Fuck it's really a Tron movie! roaring through the crowd, and brought the same kind of spontaneous cheering that the first Lord of the Rings trailers did...
Am I the only one who is depressed by this? I'm tired of all the fanservice. Constant rebooting, recycling and re-imagining, carefully optimising the amount of disposable income you are willing to spend on movie merchandising of the icons of your childhood.
posted by Dr Dracator at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2009
Am I the only one who is depressed by this? I'm tired of all the fanservice. Constant rebooting, recycling and re-imagining, carefully optimising the amount of disposable income you are willing to spend on movie merchandising of the icons of your childhood.
posted by Dr Dracator at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2009
damn, he named his son Tron? I would have gone with Clu.
But if he's TRON, you'll always know where he is.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:55 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
But if he's TRON, you'll always know where he is.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:55 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
This movie will end up in the three-pack bargain bin at K Mart, bundled with Are We There Yet IV and Tyler Perry's A Christmas Carol for $7.99 marked down from $9.99.
No Dr Dracator, you are not the only one depressed by this.
posted by chronkite at 9:57 AM on July 27, 2009
No Dr Dracator, you are not the only one depressed by this.
posted by chronkite at 9:57 AM on July 27, 2009
I've heard the big push for 3D is supposedly to kill off piracy. Good luck with that.
Yeah, people that download movies pirated with a video camera probably aren't really concerned about missing out on the 3D experience.
posted by Tenuki at 10:00 AM on July 27, 2009
Yeah, people that download movies pirated with a video camera probably aren't really concerned about missing out on the 3D experience.
posted by Tenuki at 10:00 AM on July 27, 2009
I love me some lightcycles, but I do hope they try out some metaphors for new technology, I don't know much about computers or computing history but I got a real kick out of seeing vector graphics, command lines and giant proprietary operating systems translated into some lumbering ruthless, corporate behemoth, it seemed to capture perfectly my limited experience of computers, but it's been what 20 years since then?...hasn't system architecture, user interfaces and graphical output changed like...a lot? Aren't our everyday experiences (and it's significant that computers are as much personal as business machines) now more informed by things like mashups, datamining and peer to peer infrastructures on the internet? Would the blue screen of death, consumer reviews, pop-up banners or the uncanny valley fit into the tron universe? the back side of the screen as user-sphere or inclement weather like the program equivalent of some celestial firmament? There's got to be room for some smart, new analogies, and some totally awesome cameos. Given how much computing has taken over from space travel in terms of the public imagination of the future it's going to be super disappointing if we're served up some crappy MCP 2.0.
posted by doobiedoo at 10:03 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by doobiedoo at 10:03 AM on July 27, 2009
So John Goodman is in this too, right? He sure as shit oughta be.
And Buscemi.
That would be outrageously cool.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 10:12 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
And Buscemi.
That would be outrageously cool.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 10:12 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Am I the only one who is depressed by this? posted by Dr Dracator
If the Tron trailer had played at that particular showing of Up last month, and if you had stood to give this speech when all of the overthirthyfivesomethings started cheering like teenagers at a pep rally, I would have instructed my children to throw their popcorn at Dr Buzzkill. ;~}
posted by njbradburn at 10:18 AM on July 27, 2009
If the Tron trailer had played at that particular showing of Up last month, and if you had stood to give this speech when all of the overthirthyfivesomethings started cheering like teenagers at a pep rally, I would have instructed my children to throw their popcorn at Dr Buzzkill. ;~}
posted by njbradburn at 10:18 AM on July 27, 2009
Dr Dracator - To a point, I'm with you. For instance, I'm praying to Unicron that the last shit-awful Transformers movie will be the last one Michael Bay gets to pollute and that this equally terrible-looking GI Joe movie kills that attempt at a franchise quickly and painlessly. I mean, a Baroness without a Russian accent? Who the fuck are they kidding?
However, in the case of both Tron and the upcoming Wall Street sequel, I think the world has changed in ways that make today a really interesting time to revisit both of these eighties franchises. I'm fascinated by the idea of Flynn and the Troniverse coping with networked gaming and Web 2.whateverwe'reon. I'm also quite curious to see how Gordon Gecko approaches the quantum singularity of debt that Wall Street has become since the original 1987 film. Maybe it's just my inner fanboy, but I'd also go see a third Ghostbusters or Bill & Ted's movie on opening day.
I realize, of course, that any of these movies have the potential to suck as hard as Transformers or Indiana Jones 4. Wall Street 2, for instance, apparently features Shia Lebouf: Moviekiller.
posted by EatTheWeek at 10:26 AM on July 27, 2009 [4 favorites]
However, in the case of both Tron and the upcoming Wall Street sequel, I think the world has changed in ways that make today a really interesting time to revisit both of these eighties franchises. I'm fascinated by the idea of Flynn and the Troniverse coping with networked gaming and Web 2.whateverwe'reon. I'm also quite curious to see how Gordon Gecko approaches the quantum singularity of debt that Wall Street has become since the original 1987 film. Maybe it's just my inner fanboy, but I'd also go see a third Ghostbusters or Bill & Ted's movie on opening day.
I realize, of course, that any of these movies have the potential to suck as hard as Transformers or Indiana Jones 4. Wall Street 2, for instance, apparently features Shia Lebouf: Moviekiller.
posted by EatTheWeek at 10:26 AM on July 27, 2009 [4 favorites]
does anyone even remember the characters from Tron?
I'm gonna give this a shot.
Flynn, obviously, played by Jeff Bridges.
Tron/Alan, played by Bruce Boxleitner
Sark/CEO, played by David Warner
Hot Tron Love Interest, played by I have no idea
Dude Flynn de-rezzes in death-Jai Lai, played by Peter Jurasik
Some Guy Named Ram I Vaguely Recall, played by whoever
Not bad for a movie I saw when I was like 7 years old and then either once or twice more over the next 10 years.
posted by Justinian at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2009
I'm gonna give this a shot.
Flynn, obviously, played by Jeff Bridges.
Tron/Alan, played by Bruce Boxleitner
Sark/CEO, played by David Warner
Hot Tron Love Interest, played by I have no idea
Dude Flynn de-rezzes in death-Jai Lai, played by Peter Jurasik
Some Guy Named Ram I Vaguely Recall, played by whoever
Not bad for a movie I saw when I was like 7 years old and then either once or twice more over the next 10 years.
posted by Justinian at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2009
Holy crap, that was Peter Jurasik? AWESOME.
And the dude who played Ram played Billy the Kid in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!
posted by lumensimus at 10:40 AM on July 27, 2009
And the dude who played Ram played Billy the Kid in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!
posted by lumensimus at 10:40 AM on July 27, 2009
Am I the only one who thought the character animation in that trailer was just awful? And the editing really clumsy? I really hope this was just a test, as the filename suggests.
posted by silence at 10:48 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by silence at 10:48 AM on July 27, 2009
This reveal sent a wave of Holy Fuck it's really a Tron movie! roaring through the crowd, and brought the same kind of spontaneous cheering that the first Lord of the Rings trailers did...
Am I the only one who is depressed by this? I'm tired of all the fanservice.
I am PSYCHED for when I turn 80 and the rew-imagines, gritty noir Pokemon comes out. BULBASAUR HELL YEAH!
posted by GuyZero at 10:53 AM on July 27, 2009 [4 favorites]
I just watched Tron again, and I must say it has held up very well. Better than the Star Wars with those fuzzy little rats or whatever they were.
posted by MarshallPoe at 10:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by MarshallPoe at 10:59 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The new 3D is very different to the old 3D.
Car sick on a IMAX scale?
posted by Brocktoon at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2009
Car sick on a IMAX scale?
posted by Brocktoon at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2009
Yeah, yeah, he was Lebowski. If that's the only thing you can connect him to in your mind then you are seriously missing out on some Bridges goodness. Before that movie came out he turned in some damn good performances (amongst others):
Blown Away (1994)
Fearless (1993) If you haven't seen this movie - WATCH IT
The Vanishing (1993)
The Fisher King (1991)
The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Starman (1984) EFFING STARMAN
Against All Odds (1984)
TRON (1982)
King Kong (1976) Aside from the cheesy effects, the best one made, and the one that Jackson ripped off. Not the one from 33.
Bridges doesn't always make movies that appeal to my taste, but the thing is, he always turns in a solid performance.
I don't really keep tabs on him but Stick It (2006) isn't the best movie (by far) but Bridges part is hilarious.
Also, I didn't think much of that Beat It mash-up.
posted by P.o.B. at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2009 [6 favorites]
Blown Away (1994)
Fearless (1993) If you haven't seen this movie - WATCH IT
The Vanishing (1993)
The Fisher King (1991)
The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Starman (1984) EFFING STARMAN
Against All Odds (1984)
TRON (1982)
King Kong (1976) Aside from the cheesy effects, the best one made, and the one that Jackson ripped off. Not the one from 33.
Bridges doesn't always make movies that appeal to my taste, but the thing is, he always turns in a solid performance.
I don't really keep tabs on him but Stick It (2006) isn't the best movie (by far) but Bridges part is hilarious.
Also, I didn't think much of that Beat It mash-up.
posted by P.o.B. at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2009 [6 favorites]
police academy 4 was no remo williams the adventure begins
posted by askmehow at 11:04 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by askmehow at 11:04 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I like the distortion of the light trails right behind the bikes.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:14 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by Pronoiac at 11:14 AM on July 27, 2009
Yeah, hang on with the whole trailer business, I'm glad I finally have a good resolution version of it as opposed to a cam from last year's Con... but this still feels like just a VFX test, not a movie trailer.
I thought the same thing about all the light cycle rail curves, though, and the answer -- that there is much higher resolution now -- does make sense, even though I feel a bit cheated.
I hesitantly accept that new movies (Up, etc) are using this "new 3D" in a good way that is not just throwing spoons. Hrmnnph. Cavalier 2.0 is only several weeks old at the moment, though, so I expect to next be in a theater... oh... in time for Up 3: Even Higher.
(Blasphemy! Pixar would never make a cheap sequel! Ia Ia!)
posted by cavalier at 11:22 AM on July 27, 2009
I thought the same thing about all the light cycle rail curves, though, and the answer -- that there is much higher resolution now -- does make sense, even though I feel a bit cheated.
I hesitantly accept that new movies (Up, etc) are using this "new 3D" in a good way that is not just throwing spoons. Hrmnnph. Cavalier 2.0 is only several weeks old at the moment, though, so I expect to next be in a theater... oh... in time for Up 3: Even Higher.
(Blasphemy! Pixar would never make a cheap sequel! Ia Ia!)
posted by cavalier at 11:22 AM on July 27, 2009
police academy 4 was no remo williams the adventure begins
WHOA! Hey there, jackass, you kept your little mitts off Remo Williams.
Fucker. I bet you don't even know how to breathe.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:22 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
WHOA! Hey there, jackass, you kept your little mitts off Remo Williams.
Fucker. I bet you don't even know how to breathe.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:22 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
ekroh: movie ticket sales have held steady
And huh! Color me suprised. I could have sworn that it was just rising ticket prices, and not sales, that have kept the numbers going up. Innnnteresting... thanks ekroh!
posted by cavalier at 11:25 AM on July 27, 2009
And huh! Color me suprised. I could have sworn that it was just rising ticket prices, and not sales, that have kept the numbers going up. Innnnteresting... thanks ekroh!
posted by cavalier at 11:25 AM on July 27, 2009
CPB - that movie was so 80s bad/amazing. its my go-to obscure movie reference for the time period. should've known someone on the blue was a fan, most people have no idea what i'm talking about. anyway, chill out, i said it was better than police academy 4 - didn't i?
posted by askmehow at 11:31 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by askmehow at 11:31 AM on July 27, 2009
Am I the only one who is depressed by this? I'm tired of all the fanservice. Constant rebooting, recycling and re-imagining, carefully optimising the amount of disposable income you are willing to spend on movie merchandising of the icons of your childhood.
Oh give it a rest. There just isn't such a thing as an original story or movie. First and foremost, very few movies are made completely originally. The majority of them are adaptations from books. It's been happening forever, and not just hack movies either: Gone With the Wind was a book first, and won 10 Academy Awards.
If it wasn't based on a book, you have a 50/50 shot of the movie being based on an old play, with 2/3 of those plays being Shakespearian. "10 Things I Hate About You"? That's The Taming of the Shrew. Movies like "She's All That" are Pygmalion.
So what if people are taking a slightly newer story or mythology and spinning it into their own yarns? Is there something more wrong about revising or re-imagining Batman instead of Dorian Gray? Is "Spam-A-Lot" really less predatory than "Transformers 2" just because it's on stage instead of on the screen?
People have been making works to appeal to the lowest common denominator forever. There's just nothing that wrong with it. If Shakespeare can have pussy jokes in his plays and have them last 400 years, we can survive a sequel to Tron. If we only allowed them to make truly original movies, we'd see maybe 3 movies in a good year.
posted by explosion at 11:36 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Oh give it a rest. There just isn't such a thing as an original story or movie. First and foremost, very few movies are made completely originally. The majority of them are adaptations from books. It's been happening forever, and not just hack movies either: Gone With the Wind was a book first, and won 10 Academy Awards.
If it wasn't based on a book, you have a 50/50 shot of the movie being based on an old play, with 2/3 of those plays being Shakespearian. "10 Things I Hate About You"? That's The Taming of the Shrew. Movies like "She's All That" are Pygmalion.
So what if people are taking a slightly newer story or mythology and spinning it into their own yarns? Is there something more wrong about revising or re-imagining Batman instead of Dorian Gray? Is "Spam-A-Lot" really less predatory than "Transformers 2" just because it's on stage instead of on the screen?
People have been making works to appeal to the lowest common denominator forever. There's just nothing that wrong with it. If Shakespeare can have pussy jokes in his plays and have them last 400 years, we can survive a sequel to Tron. If we only allowed them to make truly original movies, we'd see maybe 3 movies in a good year.
posted by explosion at 11:36 AM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Settle down, CPB and askmehow. Things are getting pretty tense around here...
Come on, big fella, let's see what you got.
I'd like to go against you and see what your made of.
You know, you look nothing like your pictures.
I'm warning you. You're entering a big error, Flynn.
[manipulates dematerialization gun and targets Flynn]
I'm going to have to put you on the game grid.
Games? You want games? I'll give you games. I'll...
posted by njbradburn at 11:37 AM on July 27, 2009
Come on, big fella, let's see what you got.
I'd like to go against you and see what your made of.
You know, you look nothing like your pictures.
I'm warning you. You're entering a big error, Flynn.
[manipulates dematerialization gun and targets Flynn]
I'm going to have to put you on the game grid.
Games? You want games? I'll give you games. I'll...
posted by njbradburn at 11:37 AM on July 27, 2009
Hmm. RealD, the new 3D technology provider. Wikipedia has a pretty good writeup on Disney's use of the technology. A look at Disney's upcoming 3D release schedule. Sheesh. Mining all the recent classics for new 3Dness.
Still apprehensive, but this circular polarization thing sounds a little bit better then moving spoons.
posted by cavalier at 11:40 AM on July 27, 2009
Still apprehensive, but this circular polarization thing sounds a little bit better then moving spoons.
posted by cavalier at 11:40 AM on July 27, 2009
The push for 3D is just a hook to try and fill the seats in theaters. There is a side-benefit to this for the studios, in that it requires a digital projector to do 3D in a theater, and as these projectors are deployed, the cost to distribute films drops.
All major releases come on several very large spools of very expensive film. Multiply that by however many theaters your movie is released in (thousands), and your talking many $millions to duplicate and distribute your film.
Shipping around digital prints is substantially cheaper, and this is why the production houses are interested in pushing digital projectors. The whole 3D thing helps push this along.
Also, it's pretty easy to convert a digital feature to 3D, and all current digital features go ahead and build the 3D stuff into the pipeline from the get-go.
For all the 3D haters, you can just as easily go see the normal 2D version of the flick.
Cinemas generally run both the normal and 3D versions concurrently, so you can pick which one you want. A couple hours of watching 3D stuff via the new glasses still gives plenty of people headaches, so the 3D version is usually just on one screen anyway, vs. multiple screens for the standard version.
posted by jimjam at 11:44 AM on July 27, 2009
All major releases come on several very large spools of very expensive film. Multiply that by however many theaters your movie is released in (thousands), and your talking many $millions to duplicate and distribute your film.
Shipping around digital prints is substantially cheaper, and this is why the production houses are interested in pushing digital projectors. The whole 3D thing helps push this along.
Also, it's pretty easy to convert a digital feature to 3D, and all current digital features go ahead and build the 3D stuff into the pipeline from the get-go.
For all the 3D haters, you can just as easily go see the normal 2D version of the flick.
Cinemas generally run both the normal and 3D versions concurrently, so you can pick which one you want. A couple hours of watching 3D stuff via the new glasses still gives plenty of people headaches, so the 3D version is usually just on one screen anyway, vs. multiple screens for the standard version.
posted by jimjam at 11:44 AM on July 27, 2009
And Remo Williams the Adventure Begins was definitely no Pirate Movie.
Really, can anything top Ted Hamilton in a jeweled codpiece? I think not.
posted by shiu mai baby at 11:45 AM on July 27, 2009
Really, can anything top Ted Hamilton in a jeweled codpiece? I think not.
posted by shiu mai baby at 11:45 AM on July 27, 2009
I was a bit disappointed when I heard they couldn't find it in their heart to put Tron Guy in a cameo, or even as an extra, in the new movie.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:45 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:45 AM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
First and foremost, very few movies are made completely originally.
Your broader point on originality is valid, but the trend in film is actually toward a decline in adaptations. The number of screenplays based on other published works has been dropping steadily since the invention of the motion picture. In the 1930's it was close to 95% of films that were adapted from other works, whereas today it's just over half, with almost as many original screenplays written for film. If the trend continues, original screenplays will overtake adaptations sometime in the next 10 years.
(There's nothing good or bad about that, on its face, of course: both original works and derivative works stand pretty equal odds of being great or awful. And neither Tron nor Tron 2 are adaptations, though, so yeah, this is all a tangent.)
posted by rokusan at 11:53 AM on July 27, 2009
Your broader point on originality is valid, but the trend in film is actually toward a decline in adaptations. The number of screenplays based on other published works has been dropping steadily since the invention of the motion picture. In the 1930's it was close to 95% of films that were adapted from other works, whereas today it's just over half, with almost as many original screenplays written for film. If the trend continues, original screenplays will overtake adaptations sometime in the next 10 years.
(There's nothing good or bad about that, on its face, of course: both original works and derivative works stand pretty equal odds of being great or awful. And neither Tron nor Tron 2 are adaptations, though, so yeah, this is all a tangent.)
posted by rokusan at 11:53 AM on July 27, 2009
Metafilter: don't just use it to throw spoons in your face.
posted by CynicalKnight at 11:54 AM on July 27, 2009
posted by CynicalKnight at 11:54 AM on July 27, 2009
The push for 3D is just a hook to try and fill the seats in theaters.
Better idea: fresh popcorn instead of "Fresh™ Popcorn®" that tastes like they swept it up from last weekend's opening.
posted by rokusan at 11:54 AM on July 27, 2009
Better idea: fresh popcorn instead of "Fresh™ Popcorn®" that tastes like they swept it up from last weekend's opening.
posted by rokusan at 11:54 AM on July 27, 2009
I saw the original Tron for the first time on Laserdisc. I'll see Tron 2 in Disney Digital 3D. Can't wait to see what absurd technology I will get to watch Tron 3 in.
Smell-o-vision.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:58 AM on July 27, 2009
Smell-o-vision.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:58 AM on July 27, 2009
Wait. Does this mean the trailer would sync up with Weird Al's "Eat It?"
*brb*
posted by Pronoiac at 12:01 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
*brb*
posted by Pronoiac at 12:01 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
>Wait. Does this mean the trailer would sync up with Weird Al's "Eat It?"
*brb*
Hurry!
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
*brb*
Hurry!
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Man, I hope the score doesn't let me down. The music from TRON was one of the best things about the movie and it gives me chills every time I hear it.
posted by lyam at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009
posted by lyam at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009
vibrotronica: "Tron was at least twice as good as The Matrix. There, I said it."
Don't know about that, but the sequel will be at least as good as the two Matrix sequels together. It simply couldn't be any worse without distorting space-time as we know it.
Oh, and I liked Tron 2.0 - The Game, too. One of the things I loved about the movie was the sound design - all those cool, cool electronicky sounds, and they replicated them perfectly for the game. Some people might like the iconic buzz of a lightsaber, I for my part couldn't get enough of those thudding walking noises and the sounds of the disc-weapons.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Don't know about that, but the sequel will be at least as good as the two Matrix sequels together. It simply couldn't be any worse without distorting space-time as we know it.
Oh, and I liked Tron 2.0 - The Game, too. One of the things I loved about the movie was the sound design - all those cool, cool electronicky sounds, and they replicated them perfectly for the game. Some people might like the iconic buzz of a lightsaber, I for my part couldn't get enough of those thudding walking noises and the sounds of the disc-weapons.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 12:11 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
How is it that it seems no one has mentioned that DAFT PUNK is doing the soundtrack?
Freaking awesome.
posted by billypilgrim at 12:16 PM on July 27, 2009
Freaking awesome.
posted by billypilgrim at 12:16 PM on July 27, 2009
> Hot Tron Love Interest, played by I have no idea
That would, of course, be Yori, (Cindy Morgan) whose sublime allure is still indelibly impressed on many a nerd's heart.
Well, this nerd's heart, at least.
posted by churl at 12:17 PM on July 27, 2009
That would, of course, be Yori, (Cindy Morgan) whose sublime allure is still indelibly impressed on many a nerd's heart.
Well, this nerd's heart, at least.
posted by churl at 12:17 PM on July 27, 2009
Original Tron Trailer
posted by Scoo at 9:34 AM on July 27 [2 favorites +] [!]
Metafilter: trapped inside an electronic arena where love - and escape - do not compute.
posted by nanojath at 12:42 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Scoo at 9:34 AM on July 27 [2 favorites +] [!]
Metafilter: trapped inside an electronic arena where love - and escape - do not compute.
posted by nanojath at 12:42 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
When I was a junior cg animator I worked with a few ex-MAGI original Tron people at another company.
posted by jfrancis at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2009
posted by jfrancis at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2009
P.o.B.: If that's the only thing you can connect him to in your mind then you are seriously missing out on some Bridges goodness.
I recognize that I'm probably in the vast minority on this, but I really enjoyed Tideland too.
posted by shakespeherian at 1:06 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I recognize that I'm probably in the vast minority on this, but I really enjoyed Tideland too.
posted by shakespeherian at 1:06 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Guys, I'm kidding. Remo Williams is high cheese of the finest variety.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:14 PM on July 27, 2009
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:14 PM on July 27, 2009
How is it that it seems no one has mentioned that DAFT PUNK is doing the soundtrack?
Freaking awesome.
I think it's one half of Daft, but still awesome.
It's hilarious when this guy flips his shit when he sees the light cycle mockup
Bridges was also in Heaven's Gate
posted by P.o.B. at 1:29 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Freaking awesome.
I think it's one half of Daft, but still awesome.
It's hilarious when this guy flips his shit when he sees the light cycle mockup
Bridges was also in Heaven's Gate
posted by P.o.B. at 1:29 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Look, I know Hollywood is strip mining my childhood. Transformers. GI Joe. Star Trek. Just about every 70s and 80s TV show. And for the women, the massively reimagined Strawberry Shortcake and the My Little Pony revival.
I know they're strip mining. Heck, with some of it it seems more like mountaintop removal (e.g. the complete debacle that was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen).
I still want to see this Tron movie. It may suck. Hell, it probably will suck. It's not like the first Tron was all that much of a classic, anyway.
But it could work. It could be older, more circumspect, and maybe uncovering the downfall of our increasingly connected, increasingly complicated lives merged with the computer. And Jeff Bridges plays the ascetic well.
OK, it won't be that movie.
Still, TRON, man.
posted by dw at 2:12 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I know they're strip mining. Heck, with some of it it seems more like mountaintop removal (e.g. the complete debacle that was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen).
I still want to see this Tron movie. It may suck. Hell, it probably will suck. It's not like the first Tron was all that much of a classic, anyway.
But it could work. It could be older, more circumspect, and maybe uncovering the downfall of our increasingly connected, increasingly complicated lives merged with the computer. And Jeff Bridges plays the ascetic well.
OK, it won't be that movie.
Still, TRON, man.
posted by dw at 2:12 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Okay, "Eat It" isn't exactly like "Beat It." It's different, & maybe better, but of course I'm biased. Check it out.
I only now realized that Tron's lightcycles may have been referenced in Snow Crash.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:16 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I only now realized that Tron's lightcycles may have been referenced in Snow Crash.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:16 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Obviously Tron and "Beat It" are both manifestations of the same ur-Conflict.
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
If the Tron trailer had played at that particular showing of Up last month, and if you had stood to give this speech when all of the overthirthyfivesomethings started cheering like teenagers at a pep rally, I would have instructed my children to throw their popcorn at Dr Buzzkill. ;~}
Hey, I know better than to get in the way of people having a good time, but I do enjoy the occasional grumble.
Oh give it a rest. There just isn't such a thing as an original story or movie. First and foremost, very few movies are made completely originally. The majority of them are adaptations from books.
Ok, I'll agree with this. After all, I'm glad we're getting all these new movies based on the works of Norman Spinrad and Stanislaw Lem and the Strugatsky brothers. Oh wait, we're not: we're getting New Tron, with Original Jeff BridgesTM.
The only reason a Tron movie is being remade, instead of for once coming up with an original idea, is because the audience turnout can be predicted to about seven significant digits. It might sound good to some people, but it's been done one too many times for my liking.
I'm looking at you, George Lucas.
If Shakespeare can have pussy jokes in his plays and have them last 400 years, we can survive a sequel to Tron.
I don't get this - I am pretty sure the past is full of people who could crack a mean dirty joke, yet their work didn't survive 400 years. I don't know what their take on a new Tron movie would be.
If we only allowed them to make truly original movies, we'd see maybe 3 movies in a good year.
I don't see what is bad with that - there are better things to do than sit though some mediocre crap. After all, the original Tron was a great movie, right? You can watch that again, it's not like it's a shallow, formulaic piece of shit that can't stand a second viewing.
posted by Dr Dracator at 3:31 PM on July 27, 2009
Hey, I know better than to get in the way of people having a good time, but I do enjoy the occasional grumble.
Oh give it a rest. There just isn't such a thing as an original story or movie. First and foremost, very few movies are made completely originally. The majority of them are adaptations from books.
Ok, I'll agree with this. After all, I'm glad we're getting all these new movies based on the works of Norman Spinrad and Stanislaw Lem and the Strugatsky brothers. Oh wait, we're not: we're getting New Tron, with Original Jeff BridgesTM.
The only reason a Tron movie is being remade, instead of for once coming up with an original idea, is because the audience turnout can be predicted to about seven significant digits. It might sound good to some people, but it's been done one too many times for my liking.
I'm looking at you, George Lucas.
If Shakespeare can have pussy jokes in his plays and have them last 400 years, we can survive a sequel to Tron.
I don't get this - I am pretty sure the past is full of people who could crack a mean dirty joke, yet their work didn't survive 400 years. I don't know what their take on a new Tron movie would be.
If we only allowed them to make truly original movies, we'd see maybe 3 movies in a good year.
I don't see what is bad with that - there are better things to do than sit though some mediocre crap. After all, the original Tron was a great movie, right? You can watch that again, it's not like it's a shallow, formulaic piece of shit that can't stand a second viewing.
posted by Dr Dracator at 3:31 PM on July 27, 2009
Am I slow on the uptake here, or is some designer at Disney making the worst visual pun in film history?
I mean, if I am looking at that new cycle design correctly, the bike's rear wheel and the rider's own ass are actually morphed together.
So those neon lines they leave behind are, um....
Skidmarks?
posted by rokusan at 3:46 PM on July 27, 2009
I mean, if I am looking at that new cycle design correctly, the bike's rear wheel and the rider's own ass are actually morphed together.
So those neon lines they leave behind are, um....
Skidmarks?
posted by rokusan at 3:46 PM on July 27, 2009
I recognize that I'm probably in the vast minority on this, but I really enjoyed Tideland too.
Oh, you mean the one where *SPOILERS* The Dude finally dies of an overdose? I liked that one, too.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 4:11 PM on July 27, 2009
Oh, you mean the one where *SPOILERS* The Dude finally dies of an overdose? I liked that one, too.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 4:11 PM on July 27, 2009
why the HELL the new Tron has to be "3D"
Are you joking? That was the only thing missing from the first one.
posted by lumpenprole at 4:11 PM on July 27, 2009
Are you joking? That was the only thing missing from the first one.
posted by lumpenprole at 4:11 PM on July 27, 2009
Eh, hmm... Ok, having finally been able to watch the "mash-up" (which was fun) and the trailer... I'm not enthusiastic about the amateur theatrics (It's just a game!) but the cycles were cool -- and if a sequel, I'm totally fine with curve-capable bikes. But remember in the original when they escaped through the breach in the wall caused by the previous bike crash, the light trails sunk to the floor, in the same way eliminated cycles did? That's because they left the Game Grid. Would get kinda messy if every cycle whipping around town left a lethal barrier to other traffic, no?
I think I was more optimistic before seeing the trailer. Still, it made me want to pull out Tron 2.0 and give it another whirl.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:16 PM on July 27, 2009
I think I was more optimistic before seeing the trailer. Still, it made me want to pull out Tron 2.0 and give it another whirl.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:16 PM on July 27, 2009
Ok, wait, this bugs me now. It's just a game? It's just a game?!
To the users on the outside, maybe (if they exist). To the gladiators on the inside? No, it's life or death. You really want to be de-rezzed? WhyTF would anyone on the inside say "It's just a game"? Is this film being made by anyone who's even seen the original? Grrrr.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:21 PM on July 27, 2009
To the users on the outside, maybe (if they exist). To the gladiators on the inside? No, it's life or death. You really want to be de-rezzed? WhyTF would anyone on the inside say "It's just a game"? Is this film being made by anyone who's even seen the original? Grrrr.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:21 PM on July 27, 2009
Ok, wait, this bugs me now. It's just a game?
Mr Blue may be a player from the outside world, as in the first film.
posted by rokusan at 4:25 PM on July 27, 2009
Mr Blue may be a player from the outside world, as in the first film.
posted by rokusan at 4:25 PM on July 27, 2009
I'm excited for this. We spent the weekend geeking out about it (and we're not easily impressed -- we are big Moebius and Syd Mead fans in this household). I feel like the look shows a healthy respect for the original movie while doing new things with it. I'm sold.
Director Joseph Kosinski (Flash-heavy site that will resize your browser window -- or at least it does in Firefox) has really only done commercials so far, but those commercials show a vision. They're stylish and seem to blur the lines between the mechanical and the natural. (He also was the one behind the Gears of War "Mad World" commercial.) I hope he pulls this movie off.
I am also stoked about the Daft-Punk-doing-the-soundtrack element of this (everything I've read indicates it is the both of them). It's just too amazingly perfect.
posted by darksong at 4:30 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Director Joseph Kosinski (Flash-heavy site that will resize your browser window -- or at least it does in Firefox) has really only done commercials so far, but those commercials show a vision. They're stylish and seem to blur the lines between the mechanical and the natural. (He also was the one behind the Gears of War "Mad World" commercial.) I hope he pulls this movie off.
I am also stoked about the Daft-Punk-doing-the-soundtrack element of this (everything I've read indicates it is the both of them). It's just too amazingly perfect.
posted by darksong at 4:30 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Huh, neat. A friend of mine is in this, not who she's playing or if she's an extra or what.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:31 PM on July 27, 2009
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:31 PM on July 27, 2009
I did like that the original Tron had in itself a nostalgia thing going on with b/w movies.
This trailer isn't impressive. I'm sick of sleek. It's like when you don't actually have any ideas on an overall look, just make it look sleek. The CGI on the faces is pretty bad and not something I want to look at. The chase is just plain boring... "Where'd chasing guy go? OMG he's right here! Sideswipe! Tiny gap! Low thing! Where'd the chasing guy go? OMG he's right here!" Minimal exploitation of CGI possibilities or light-cycle wall stuff, half-assed application of chase scene cliches, like being almost too bored to masturbate.
Maybe the movie will actually have cool ideas and not be so fucking boring and lazy, but this trailer doesn't convince me of that.
posted by fleacircus at 5:31 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
This trailer isn't impressive. I'm sick of sleek. It's like when you don't actually have any ideas on an overall look, just make it look sleek. The CGI on the faces is pretty bad and not something I want to look at. The chase is just plain boring... "Where'd chasing guy go? OMG he's right here! Sideswipe! Tiny gap! Low thing! Where'd the chasing guy go? OMG he's right here!" Minimal exploitation of CGI possibilities or light-cycle wall stuff, half-assed application of chase scene cliches, like being almost too bored to masturbate.
Maybe the movie will actually have cool ideas and not be so fucking boring and lazy, but this trailer doesn't convince me of that.
posted by fleacircus at 5:31 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Part of me would have been extremely pleased to see them eschew all modern CGI techniques when making this sequel. Use a modernized version of the bluescreen-derived glow effect they pioneered for the first one instead of just full CG characters and environments with human faces mapped on. Use multiple analog passes on real film stock, the way they did in the first. Do as much as possible in-camera. That way you're paying tribute to the original, and tying them together in a way that does service to the original's ultra-futuristic and totally unique aesthetic and getting a saucy retro-futuristic look while you're at it.
Nothing about a completely polished computer-generated environment stands out anymore, but the look of the original is still unmistakable and unparalleled. It's the subtle grit and imperfections that make the original's visual style really physically present, really real. That's what is lost when every curved surface is perfectly curved and every glowing halo is diffused the exact right number of pixels.
posted by churl at 6:05 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Nothing about a completely polished computer-generated environment stands out anymore, but the look of the original is still unmistakable and unparalleled. It's the subtle grit and imperfections that make the original's visual style really physically present, really real. That's what is lost when every curved surface is perfectly curved and every glowing halo is diffused the exact right number of pixels.
posted by churl at 6:05 PM on July 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I really like the idea of having sequels to generation-defining movies like this decades later. When you consider how computing has transformed our culture, it seems appropriate to have another Tron movie to act as a coda to the first, with the benefit of 20+ years of hindsight.
This really reminds me of the upcoming Wall Street sequel - I think it's the same kind of thing.
posted by heathkit at 7:04 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
This really reminds me of the upcoming Wall Street sequel - I think it's the same kind of thing.
posted by heathkit at 7:04 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
It's a little late in the string to post this, but it's important.
What it took for me to see TRON when I was a kid was I had to hop six different buses. But at 17, TRON was THE movie had to see. And for whatever reason, for me then it was a personal experience, like visiting the Godhead; I went alone.
I saw it at Crossroads 2 Theaters in St. Petersburg, FL. It was a Thursday. I came from Clearwater, FL, up near Dunedin, where I was was born and where I had been living on my own since I was 15. (I left home when I was 14, long story, different era.) And on that day, I felt both energized as only a teenager can feel and quietly but vastly alone. Lonely. Not desperate alone or lonely, but lonely in a waiting-for-my-people-and-MY-MOMENT-to-arrive kind of way. I remember walking across that enormous, flat asphalt mall parking black-top in the middle of the bright day, and thinking back, I remember feeling alone.
But I walked across that enormous and hot parking lot (enormous and hot in that way which I now see as being unique to the state of Florida) as if I was being beckoned. And looking back, I can honestly say I was.
At high school, which was the same experience for me as it was for many (most?) of my present day peer group ie grueling except that I was on my own, schooling days and working nights at a grocery store and biking (I boggle thinking back on this) thirty miles daily, the one class that held my rapt attention was in a subject that nearly all of of my 2000+ classmates did not understand and none of my other teachers discussed. It was Computer Programming. It was here I began learning FORTRAN. It was here—thanks to some correlation between our new high school and the Honeywell plant next door—I first connected to (what became) the internet.
So, when I saw the preview for TRON earlier in the year at an AMC Midnight Movie Express showing of Heavy Metal (whoa), something inside me got all excited, sparked on, and attentive. Something made a connection. I thought about TRON for months. (Which was easy: TRON was heavily-hyped; TRON was a REALLY BIG DEAL.)
In the summer, I didn't have to both go to school and work simultaneously. It was on my day off that I saw TRON. And I remember everything. I remember the popcorn, even. I remember because I swear, I walked in one person and walked out another.
There are two reasons for this. The first was that I had been banned from the computer lab because "someone" had figured out how to do much more on the computer terminals and through the ARPA network than anyone could imagine: Credit cards accounts had been created and said account numbers had misused at a local department store. (Can you believe that, back then in Florida, a person could walk into a store and buy things just by giving a number? Or that there were no surveillance cameras? I tell you, "someone" got lucky! I bet they didn't have to learn that lesson twice!) Anyhow, at that time, it felt as if a lifeline had been cut. Seeing TRON was like being re-born.
Which leads to the second reason. It was that what I learned from TRON was that talents such as mine could be put to use for good—and for creating video games!
From my perspective, it was as if I walked out from seeing TRON that afternoon right into the future. By the time I got to college, I am fully dedicated to computers code and technology as part of who I am. Later, by the time I turned 30, I work for both Sega and EA. (X-Men: Game Master's Legacy; NBA Slam 'N' Jam '95). I will have even got to know personally and be friends with the guy whose identity and life the character and supporting characters of Sonic the Hedgehog were originally based upon/stolen from! (Hello, Dean Sitton!)
Eventually, my people did arrive. Many of them are you. And my moment, too. And that's definitely now.
And now, at nearly 45, because of my extended background in computers and technology and writing and design, I get to work anytime I want, and pretty much anywhere. I get to do it from home. I get to travel. As long as I continue to learn and be inspired, and to inspire, I know everything will always work out.
But, point of fact, nearly 30 years ago, it would take a real inspiring moment of wonder and excitement to make it to the fantastic here and now. For the uncertain teenage boy I was nearly 30 years ago, a lot of that came from seeing TRON.
So I just want to say, "Thanks TRON." I might be here without you, but I can't imagine how. And, point of fact, after all this time together, I wouldn't even care to!
posted by humannaire at 9:27 PM on July 27, 2009 [22 favorites]
What it took for me to see TRON when I was a kid was I had to hop six different buses. But at 17, TRON was THE movie had to see. And for whatever reason, for me then it was a personal experience, like visiting the Godhead; I went alone.
I saw it at Crossroads 2 Theaters in St. Petersburg, FL. It was a Thursday. I came from Clearwater, FL, up near Dunedin, where I was was born and where I had been living on my own since I was 15. (I left home when I was 14, long story, different era.) And on that day, I felt both energized as only a teenager can feel and quietly but vastly alone. Lonely. Not desperate alone or lonely, but lonely in a waiting-for-my-people-and-MY-MOMENT-to-arrive kind of way. I remember walking across that enormous, flat asphalt mall parking black-top in the middle of the bright day, and thinking back, I remember feeling alone.
But I walked across that enormous and hot parking lot (enormous and hot in that way which I now see as being unique to the state of Florida) as if I was being beckoned. And looking back, I can honestly say I was.
At high school, which was the same experience for me as it was for many (most?) of my present day peer group ie grueling except that I was on my own, schooling days and working nights at a grocery store and biking (I boggle thinking back on this) thirty miles daily, the one class that held my rapt attention was in a subject that nearly all of of my 2000+ classmates did not understand and none of my other teachers discussed. It was Computer Programming. It was here I began learning FORTRAN. It was here—thanks to some correlation between our new high school and the Honeywell plant next door—I first connected to (what became) the internet.
So, when I saw the preview for TRON earlier in the year at an AMC Midnight Movie Express showing of Heavy Metal (whoa), something inside me got all excited, sparked on, and attentive. Something made a connection. I thought about TRON for months. (Which was easy: TRON was heavily-hyped; TRON was a REALLY BIG DEAL.)
In the summer, I didn't have to both go to school and work simultaneously. It was on my day off that I saw TRON. And I remember everything. I remember the popcorn, even. I remember because I swear, I walked in one person and walked out another.
There are two reasons for this. The first was that I had been banned from the computer lab because "someone" had figured out how to do much more on the computer terminals and through the ARPA network than anyone could imagine: Credit cards accounts had been created and said account numbers had misused at a local department store. (Can you believe that, back then in Florida, a person could walk into a store and buy things just by giving a number? Or that there were no surveillance cameras? I tell you, "someone" got lucky! I bet they didn't have to learn that lesson twice!) Anyhow, at that time, it felt as if a lifeline had been cut. Seeing TRON was like being re-born.
Which leads to the second reason. It was that what I learned from TRON was that talents such as mine could be put to use for good—and for creating video games!
From my perspective, it was as if I walked out from seeing TRON that afternoon right into the future. By the time I got to college, I am fully dedicated to computers code and technology as part of who I am. Later, by the time I turned 30, I work for both Sega and EA. (X-Men: Game Master's Legacy; NBA Slam 'N' Jam '95). I will have even got to know personally and be friends with the guy whose identity and life the character and supporting characters of Sonic the Hedgehog were originally based upon/stolen from! (Hello, Dean Sitton!)
Eventually, my people did arrive. Many of them are you. And my moment, too. And that's definitely now.
And now, at nearly 45, because of my extended background in computers and technology and writing and design, I get to work anytime I want, and pretty much anywhere. I get to do it from home. I get to travel. As long as I continue to learn and be inspired, and to inspire, I know everything will always work out.
But, point of fact, nearly 30 years ago, it would take a real inspiring moment of wonder and excitement to make it to the fantastic here and now. For the uncertain teenage boy I was nearly 30 years ago, a lot of that came from seeing TRON.
So I just want to say, "Thanks TRON." I might be here without you, but I can't imagine how. And, point of fact, after all this time together, I wouldn't even care to!
posted by humannaire at 9:27 PM on July 27, 2009 [22 favorites]
Wow. Turns out a good friend of mine who lives a couple of blocks away made that mashup. I had no idea. He's also a fixie freak and a gardener. He's pretty stunned about all the attention.
posted by sourwookie at 11:46 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by sourwookie at 11:46 PM on July 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
They made a (Highly Underrated) sequel/videogame in 2003 - Tron 2.0
It is actually a really well done game, and if you enjoyed Tron, I can't recommend giving the game a run through enough. They nailed it. It's a shame it didn't get marketed better, because it really was one of the best games in 2003.
Indeed. And because of the stylized graphics, it holds up amazingly well today. Splendid and memorable sound design, too.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:36 AM on July 28, 2009
It is actually a really well done game, and if you enjoyed Tron, I can't recommend giving the game a run through enough. They nailed it. It's a shame it didn't get marketed better, because it really was one of the best games in 2003.
Indeed. And because of the stylized graphics, it holds up amazingly well today. Splendid and memorable sound design, too.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:36 AM on July 28, 2009
Wow. Before now, I hadn't remembered what a fabulous year 1982 was for movies. In the space of a single summer vacation I saw Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Conan the Barbarian, E.T., Blade Runner, Wrath of Khan, Poltergeist, The Secret of NIMH, The Thing, Tron, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Looking back, that just might be the best summer vacation ever.
my last memorable 3-D experience being Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn
Possibly the worst movie ever made.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:29 AM on July 28, 2009
my last memorable 3-D experience being Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn
Possibly the worst movie ever made.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:29 AM on July 28, 2009
Well, that made it memorable.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:56 PM on July 28, 2009
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:56 PM on July 28, 2009
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
Also, both trailers are the same video.
posted by DU at 7:14 AM on July 27, 2009