Tag Archives: Tron: Legacy

TRON NIGHT summary & impressions

Image cache, Impressions, Movies, , , , , , ,

On October 28 Tron fans were treated to an early glimpse into the upcoming Disney movie Tron: Legacy.  Across the world select IMAX 3D theatres hosted TRON NIGHT, “a free exclusive 20+ minute sneak peek” of the movie.  I attended the special screening tonight, and here is a summary interjected with my impressions.

When I got to the theatre about an hour before the 7PM screening, there was already a small line forming.  While movie-goers waited on line we were handed Tron swag including promotional material about the size of a postcard; one is an image of Daft Punk in costume promoting the upcoming Tron soundtrack and the other is an image of a Tron program character and on the other side a promotion for an Asus laptop (they sponsored the event).  We were also required to check-in and wear a bracelet with the TRON NIGHT logo on it.  Don’t think I’ll be taking that off any time soon.  Before entering the IMAX 3D theatre, we were forced to leave our cell phones behind (for obvious reasons) and a security officer quickly scanned our bodies with a wand to make sure we weren’t harboring any electronic devices.  Crazy, right?  After receiving a pair of 3D glasses, we entered the theatre and took our (perfect!) seats.

A minute before showtime the event coordinator welcomed everyone to the screening and implored us to share our excitement for Tron: Legacy with friends and on the Internet (what do you think I’m doing right now?).  The lights went dim and we were presented with a brief message from the movie’s director Joseph Kosinski.  In a typed note, he told us that the scenes we were about to see take place in the first half of the movie and that it is OK to wear the 3D glasses during the 2D scenes.  Just in case you are not aware of this, the “real world” scenes were shot in 2D and the “Tron universe” scenes are in 3D.  After this brief introduction the sneak preview started right away (that’s right–no trailers).  The 23 minutes of (not entirely) never-before-seen footage was split into five scenes.  I will detail them as best I can below.

Scene 20: Sam’s Garage– This first scene was set in the “real world”, so it was shot in 2D but still looked brilliant with 3D glasses on (as the director promised it would).  The scene takes place in Sam Flynn’s (Garrett Hedlund) garage.  You’d recognize this scene from the trailer.  In it Sam and Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) engage in conversation and Alan tells Sam that he received a page from Flynn’s arcade.  Alan: “These are the keys to the arcade.  I haven’t gone over there yet.  I thought you should be the one.”  Sam: “Alan, you’re acting like I’m gonna find him sitting there working.  Just, ‘hey kiddo, lost track of time.'”  These lines are in the trailer, you’re starting to remember now.

This next part is included in Scene 20, but it sure felt like an entirely new setting as it took place elsewhere.  It cuts from Sam’s garage to the vacant and dusty Flynn’s Arcade.  Sam decided to take Alan’s advice and check out where the mysterious page could have come from.  Sam finds the circuit breaker and turns on the building’s power.  All of the arcade games light up and make so much noise.  On top of this Jouney’s “Separate Ways” plays loudly from the arcade’s sound system.  Sam looks at the dusty old Tron arcade machine and decides to play a round.  He inserts a quarter but it falls to the ground.  He is curious about a precise crack in the floor and manages to move the Tron machine to reveal a hidden passageway behind it.  Inside he finds a door with a key occupied in its hole and he enters a room.  It appears to be his father’s secret office where he stored a certain computer.  Sam looks around the room and we are shown images of a young Sam with his now-missing father and a blueprint labeled “Grid.”  Sam sits down at the touchscreen computer desk, wipes a thick layer of dust off it, and it turns on from standby mode.  He begins to type away but has no luck accessing the system since he doesn’t know the login information.  “Let’s try the back door,” he whispers to himself.  All of a sudden, a large laser projector-like machine turns on behind him.  It emits this whirring sound and suddenly a bright white light flashes and the scene ends. Continue reading TRON NIGHT summary & impressions →

Disney marketing ‘Tron: Legacy’ with special countdown events and content

Movies, News, , , ,

Tron: Legacy doesn’t hit theatres until December 17, but that certainly doesn’t mean Disney can’t push all things Tron down our throats until that time.  Starting today Disney will initiate an official 10-week countdown to the film’s release by showcasing various Tron events.  On “Tron Tuesdays” we will be privy to exclusive new video and film content, including behind-the-scenes exclusives, trailers and artwork; they will release across various mediums including television and the Internet.  Also highlighted is “Tron Night: An IMAX 3D Experience”; on October 28 at select theaters a whole 20-plus-minute sneak peek of the movie will be screened for fans.  Tickets for the event will be free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Update: Order them today right here!  If you happen to be vacationing at Disney California Adventure Park a nighttime street party called “ElecTRONica” featuring visuals and music from the movie will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through April.  And lastly, new Tron merchandise will arrive in stores this month and don’t forget about the Tron: Evolution video game releasing December 7.

[Via Deadline; IGN]

Daft Punk infused Tron soundtrack drops November 22 [Update: delayed until December 7]

Movies, Music, News, , , , ,

The post title says it all, really.  On November 22, the Tron: Legacy motion picture soundtrack will release in physical and digital formats.  The physical in-store copy will come bundled with a Tron poster, so you’re going to want to opt for that one.  Nab the soundtrack in November and keep it POUNDING on repeat until the film’s debut on December 17.

Update: What the post title says.

[Via Gizmodo; TronSoundtrack]

Spinning lights atop a vinyl record player groove along with the Tron theme

Design, DIY, Music, Technology, Video, , , , , ,

In this time-lapse stop motion video, one Kim Pimmel managed to control a series of lights spinning on top of a vinyl record player to the fast-paced electro beat of the new Tron: Legacy theme.  Pimmel explains:

The video is stop motion, so every frame is an individually shot photograph. Each photograph is a long exposure photo, with exposures reaching up to 20 seconds in some cases.  To control the lights, I used an Arduino controlled via bluetooth to drive a stepper motor. The stepper motor controls the movements of the lights remotely from Processing [computer software].  The light sources include cold cathode case lights, EL wire, lasers and more.

Daft Punk would be proud.

[Via Gizmodo; Vimeo]

Trailer #2: Tron: Legacy (+ Daft Punk tracks!)

Movies, Music, Video, , , , , , , ,

We’re one teaser and two trailers deep into the expansive world of Tron (catch the others here & here).  This latest one is fresh from its 2010 Comic Con debut.  I really don’t know how they do it, but somehow these Tron sneak peeks get better with every trailer.  I don’t give a damn if you have never heard of Tron or don’t take any interest in the movie/1978 arcade game; you will watch this trailer and like it.  And if you are a Tron fan and are highly anticipating its December 17 release in IMAX 3D like a respectable human being, well then…you’re in for a treat!  Load in HD, turn up your speakers, and let it rip.

Note: You should know that actor Jeff Bridges starred in the original 1982 Tron flick as Kevin Flynn, and that he reprises his role as Papa Flynn in Legacy.  At timestamp 1:08 we are introduced to Clu, a villianous rogue program in the Tron universe, who might look eerily similar to a young Jeff Bridges to you.  Well that’s because it is a young Bridges!  Thanks to advanced CGI technology, a performance-capture suit, and impeccable editing skills, the Tron special FX crew was able to create a Kevin Flynn as he appeared in Tron almost thirty years ago.  Crazy (and a bit creepy), right?!  Moving on…

It was leaked quite some time ago that Daft Punk would compose the score for Tron: Legacy.  And over the course of the last year we were teased with the theme music in the trailers that have been released.  Today that tease disappears!  Online radio station “The End” got their hands on exclusive streams of six tracks from the movie soundtrack, including the epic theme from the trailers.  They’re dark and appropriately cinematic in scope.  Click here to take a listen.  (Bonus note: The electric Daft Punk duo will have cameo roles in the movie–gasp!–sans characteristic helmets!

[Via MTVuk]

Tron: Legacy already has its sights set on a sequel

Movies, News, ,

Although there is still eight grueling months left until Tron: Legacy hit theatres, Disney is already looking way into the future.  Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Lost writers and the duo who penned the script for Legacy) have been hired to write a new script for a sequel to the sequel.  There is no word if Legacy director Joseph Kosinski and cast members (Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde) will return, though their contracts stipulate sequel options, so we should find out soon enough.  Tron: Legacy opens December 17.  Watch the trailer again.  Just do it.

[Via DigitalSpy]

Trailer #1: Tron: Legacy (NERDGASM!)

Movies, Video, , , ,

I was one of the first to catch a glipse of Tron: Legacy at last year’s Disney panel at Comic Con.  Since then we’ve been given the first teaser trailer and poster.  And now there’s this: a brand new trailer that leaked out late last night with never-before-seen footage.  Want to download it in HD for keeps?  Click here.  The dialogue, the score (by Daft Punk, FYI), and the amazing visual effects make for a really awesome trailer that people can’t stop talking about, especially in the Twittersphere.  To quote a friend of mine, this may prove to be the best Disney film ever made.  GAHH!  (Did you catch the stunning Olivia Wilde at 1:31?  Good.)

[Via Trailer Addict]

Tron: Legacy poster surfaces, teaser #1 hits the ‘Net

Image cache, Movies, Video, , , , , , ,

Tron-legacy-poster

Ah man, how could they do this to us?  Tron: Legacy, the anticipated sequel to the 1982 cult hit, doesn’t hit theatres for another year.  Well, enjoy this for what it’s worth, and peek after the break for the teaser unveiled at this past year’s Comic Con.

[Image via Filmonic]

Continue reading Tron: Legacy poster surfaces, teaser #1 hits the ‘Net →

Comic Con: Day One

Exclusive, Images, Movies, News, , , , , , , , , , ,

Comic Con: Day One included a few panels and a lot of walking around the show floor.  I am going to make this simple; I will list each panel I attended and delve into the details for each.  I will conclude by summarizing my trek on the show floor.

11:00AM – 12:30PM – Disney: 3D Panel (Hall H)

This panel was located in Hall H, the largest room at the San Diego Convention Center.  When I got to this event at around 8AM, there was a line of over 1500 people wrapped around the building!  Little did I know today would be my lucky day.  My first strike of luck came during this panel.  Somehow I bypassed the entire line by befriending some front-liners (who all slept outside overnight!) who kindly let me sneak in with them.  Once I got into Hall H, I was given 3D glasses.  Fun fact: This panel is the first in Comic Con history to shoe 3D visuals during the presentation.  Three upcoming Disney movies were discussed during this panel: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Tron.”  The panel was moderated by Patton Oswalt; he sat with the director of each film and discussed its current state of completion.

First up was Robert Zemeckis, writer and director of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.”  Zemeckis discussed the gorgeous animated film and how it relates to the term “uncanny valley.”  As technology continues to evolve every day, computer animation becomes more realistic and human-like.  The example he used for this particular movie was the retina (eye) movements.  They are very real and genuine movements.  To show off what he has in store for audiences, he revleaed a never-before-seen (and Comic Con exclusive) scene from the movie.  Simply put, “A Christmas Carol” looks fantastic in 3D and it will be a sure fire hit when it lands in regular, IMAX 3D, and 3D-optimized theatres this November.  The film stars an animated, but very real looking Jim Carey.  In fact, Jim Carey will be playing eight characters (including Scrooge and the three Ghosts of Christmas).

Next was Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.”  One sentence sums it all up: This movie is going to ROCK.  After a very brief discussion with Oswalt, Burton unveiled the first official (and also never-before-seen, Comic Con exclusive) trailer for the movie.  The trailer was so good that it was played three times in a row, in 3D of course.  After the third showing, Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance on stage.  No discussion here; Depp said hello, goodbye, and left the stage.  Although this was a quick meeting with Burton, the trailer made it all worthwhile.  Up to this point, only stills from the movie had been shown; witnessing these strange and colorful characters come to life was magnificent.  Expect this gem to be released in regular, IMAX 3D, and 3D-optimized theatres in March 2010.

Last was Sean Baily and Steve Lisberger’s sequel to the 1982 film “Tron” called “Tron: Legacy.”  (Note: Baily and Lisberger are the movie’s producers.)  They discussed the premise of the film in short detail, quickly jumping to test footage and two bass-heavy and visually stunning trailers (again, both never-before-seen and Comic Con exclusive).  All I can say is that the reboot looks great.  The cast is very young and will bring a new and welcome vibe to the series.  Cast members include Garrett Hedlund (playing Flynn’s adult son), Jeff Bridges, the original Kevin Flynn himself, and the beautiful Olivia Wilde, who plays a confidante of the young Flynn.  Also worthy of noting is that the original score of the film will be composed by Daft Punk.  “Tron: Legacy” will be in regular and 3D theatres in 2010.

All in all, the Disney: 3D Panel was spectacular.  All three upcoming Disney 3D films look amazing; the visuals, audio, characters, and plot lines are very impressive and intruiging.  As much as I would like to share with you the images from the trailers and other on-screen footage, Comic Con policy states that I cannot do so.  However, please take a look at the image gallery below to view what I can share with you.

2:00PM – 3:00PM – Sony Pictures Animation: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (Room 6BCF)

The main reason I attended this panel was to see the hilarious Andy Samberg and Bill Hader, the beautiful Anna Ferris, Role Models’ Bobb’e J. Thompson, and the smart dudes behind the cartoon “Clone High,” directors Chirs Miller and Phil Lord. (Hader could not make the panel due to an illness.)  Although this is a “kid’s movie” based on a classic childhood book, the film looks to be a very funny and visually pleasing adventure.  Miller and Lord showed some exclusive scenes from the movie, revealed some of the plot to put the scenes in context, and took questions from the audience.  Many questions were aimed at Andy Samberg and involved his famous SNL Digital Shorts and SNL career.  In the end, this was a fun panel filled with lots of laughs and what looks to be an exciting and hilarious animated motion picture.  “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” comes out on September 18, 2009 in regular and 3D versions.

8:00PM – 10:00PM – Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (screening) (Room 6A)

First let me start out by saying this is where my second stroke of luck showed up.  When I arrived about half an hour before showtime, the line was capped; it was the second longest line I’d seen all day (the longest being the Hall H line in the morning).  Somehow, yet again, I got myself in the front of the line and was able to attend the screening of Dr. Horrible.  This was just flat-out EPIC.  Room 6A is a fairly large room; it can hold over 450 people).  So, the room was packed with tons of Dr. Horrible fans who knew all the lyrics to the hilarious and extremely well-written Internet sensation.  There was a fun “Rocky Horror Picture Show” -esque twist.  All attendees were given Dr.H goggles and a packet with lyrics for each song and callbacks.  After the screening of the 3-Act series, the DVD special “Commentary! The Musical” was played.  This was a nice treat to end the night on.  But there was one last surprise before everyone packed up to go home: Dr.H star Felicia Day stopped by, along with writers (and stars) Jed Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen.  After belting out all of the songs and laughing at all the jokes, it was time to leave the convention center to get some shut eye for Day 2.

In between the panels, I was able to walk the entire main show floor, grabbing pictures of everything in sight.  The images themselves tell the story of the show floor better than I can in words.  Take a look for yourself below.  It is worthy to note that I met Lost’s Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet)!  She’s awesome.