Things to Know Before You See 'Tron: Legacy'

"Tron: Legacy" (2010) is the sequel to the science fiction film, "Tron" (1982), which was groundbreaking in computer graphics, live-action, and animated SFX. "Tron: Legacy" enhances the concept with CGI and 3-D technology.

"Tron" (1982) Summary

Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) was a software programmer for the ENCOM Corporation until executive, Ed Dillinger (David Warner), took credit for his video games to become CEO. The games sold millions and Flynn was reduced to running a video arcade and hacking into the ENCOM for evidence against Dillinger.

The ENCOM computer is run by the Master Control Program (MCP) which has grown powerful, continuing to store Dillinger's files as blackmail. It strengthens security and locks out many employees, including Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), a friend of Flynn. He and Dr. Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan), his girlfriend and co-worker, who works with a digitizing laser, tell Flynn about the lockdown.

Flynn hacks into the mainframe while Alan uses his own security program, Tron, to destroy the MCP.

Flynn is shot with the digitizing laser and sent into The Grid where program creators have virtual versions. Commander Sark (Warner), Dillinger's avatar, forces him to compete in a game like Pong and later Light Cycles where players use energy walls to block other cycles. Flynn and Bradley's avatar, Tron, escape and are pursued by Recognizer ships.

Sark captures Tron and Yori (Morgan's avatar). Tron damages Sark and the MCP gives him its power. Flynn crashes a ship into the MCP core, allowing Tron to destroy the MCP and Sark.

The Grid is freed, Flynn returns to reality with the evidence, and Flynn becomes ENCOM CEO.

Synopsis of "Tron: Legacy"

We last saw Kevin Flynn when he was the CEO of ENCOM International. After he became CEO, he created a popular arcade game called "Tron." In 1989, Flynn disappeared while working on an important project and has never been seen since.

One day Alan Bradley (now an executive consultant for ENCOM), receives a mysterious message from the office of Flynn's old arcade and persuades Flynn's now 27-year-old son, Sam, to investigate it.

Sam is digitized and pulled into the virtual world of The Grid. He is reunited with his father, who was also pulled back into the virtual world twenty years ago, and battle to escape with the aid of Tron (Boxleitner).

The Grid is much more advanced now and they must use new vehicles and weapons to travel much more detailed landscapes as Clu 2 (Bridges), a more powerful version of Flynn's original hacking program built in 1983, pursues them to prevent their escape.

New Characters

There are several new characters inside of The Grid.

Quorra (Olivia Wilde) is a warrior program that is confidante to virtual Kevin Flynn.

The villains include Rinzler (Anis Cheurfa), one of Clu 2's henchmen, Jarvis, CLU 2's chief intelligence officer, and Gem (Beau Garrett), one of four programs known as Sirens that operate the Grid Game armory.

Neutral characters include Castor/Zuse (Michael Sheen), the program that runs the End of Line Club, and two disc jockeys played by Daft Punk at the club.

3-D

"Tron: Legacy" is best seen in a theater using digital 3-D IMAX technology, which usually has an additional surcharge. In theaters without 3-D projectors, viewers can see it in 2-D.

Runtime & Rating

The runtime time for "Tron: Legacy" is a lengthy 127 minutes and is rated PG for sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.

Further Information

In addition to watching the original "Tron," there is also a graphic novel, "Tron: Betrayal," that occurs after the original movie and before the "Tron: Evolution" videogame, which occurs between the graphic novel and "Tron": Legacy."

Sources: Wikipedia, Disney