Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as C-3PO and R2-D2!

Make sure to go see Paul, opening this Friday!

Tron Betrayal Review

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now (I know, I know...). I was going to post it before the opening of Tron: Legacy, and since that was weeks and weeks ago, you can obviously figure out that events have gotten the best of my plans. This review is solely about the Tron: Betrayal graphic novel that fills in the gap between the original Tron and the new movie. Published by Disney Press, it's a 128 page paperback, and an atypical 6" by 9".

I did see Tron: Legacy opening week and I quite enjoyed it. The plot was a bit basic (but multi-layered), but the visuals and music more than made up for that. In fact, it was one of those rare movies where the soundtrack (by Daft Punk) actually made the movie better (see Star Wars). I am very hopeful for a sequel, and if reports are true we'll be getting one soon, in addition to the animated series in 2012.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The book gives us a quick recap of the original movie and then brings us into the life of Kevin Flynn post-destruction of the MCP, with him taking over the ENCOM corporation sometime during the late 80's. Quick plot summary: Flynn creates the Grid, Flynn creates CLU, Flynn's wife gets pregnant, the ISOs "emerge" from the Grid, the Grid gets unstable, Flynn invents the cell phone to talk to his pregnant wife, the Grid gets more unstable, Sam is born, Flynn's wife dies, the Grid gets even more unstable, CLU gets angry, CLU blames the ISOs for the grid getting unstable, CLU gets angrier, the Grid gets more unstable, Flynn resigns as CEO of ENCOM to spend time with Sam, CLU ensures no more ISOs are created, CLU takes over the Grid to create order, Tron is defeated and runs away, Flynn gets trapped in the Grid, the end.

The focus of the story is on Flynn desperately trying to lead a triple life, being the CEO of a major corporation, the creator and overseer of the Grid, and father to Sam. Can everything co-exist? Can you be father, creator and CEO? It is also centered on the evolution of CLU from helper and friend to Flynn to cyber-despot/Lucifer analogy. It also provides plenty of parallels to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and examines in-depth what it is like to live in multiple realities of your own creation.

I liked how the book gave even more depth into CLU as a character than we saw in the movie. Flynn creates CLU to work with Tron (the security program) so he doesn't have to watch the Grid all the time and can spend time in his "real" life. Flynn charges him with creating the perfect system. Of course, with Flynn not being there all the time, and the Grid running on computer time, CLU grows impatient with Flynn.

His impatience grows into anger, arising from both his perceived ambivalence of Flynn and the conflicting nature of his orders. Flynn created CLU to create order, but Flynn also wants to let the natural order be spontaneous (that would confuse me too). This conflict eventually leads to CLU declaring that if the creator can't be here, and he is in the image of the creator, he must also be the creator - leading to him taking over the system. CLU thought he was doing what was best without the guidance of the Flynn. CLU believes that Flynn doesn't care about the world he created, so he will ensure its prosperity his way. CLUs drive to eliminate disorder leads him to wage a secret war against the ISOs and eventually "poison" the Sea of Simulation preventing the birth/emergence of any new ISOs.

For those keeping score at home the ISOs (what Quorra was in the film) are "isomorphic algorithms". Programs that emerged from the very nature of the Grid, they weren't created by anyone. They were born from the complexity of the Grid. In the movie there was only one left, but in the graphic novel they were a thriving separate civilization that embodied chaos to CLU. My guess is that the animated series will focus on the war between CLU and the ISOs.

A couple of questions weren't answered in either the graphic novel or the movie, like how Tron became Rinzler (he just drives off after being defeated in Betrayal) and how Flynn actually got trapped in the Grid. I guess on repeated viewings of the movie, I may discover some answers.

Overall it was an solid companion piece to the movie and if you are a fan of the Tron universe, I would definitely pick this up.

Coming Attractions

Since no one really reads this blog, the following entry is mainly for me... but if you do read it you can look forward to me writing and posting pictures on the following topics:

I just picked up a couple of the 2011 Lego Pharaoh's Quest sets, and I have to say they are quite awesome. It is basically a group of adventures exploring Egyptian locales and coming into conflict with a group of mummies... yes mummies (snake ones, scarab ones, flying ones based on Horus). I'll post some more detailed reviews and pictures soon.

I also have a bunch of pretty recent Star Wars Clone Wars figures sitting on my desk. Unlike other sites, I won't do detailed figure by figure reviews, I'll just post a couple of pictures and tell you which ones I like the best.

I managed to see the premieres of both G.I. Joe: Renegades and Young Justice over the Thanksgiving holiday and I'll post some of my thoughts soon. All I have to say is Young Justice is spectacular! The character designs (best Hawkman/Hawkgirl ever), animation, voice acting and even the plot were top notch. A crazy blend of Teen Titans, Young Justice and the Outsiders. I am not the only one who thinks that the episode was great. Cartoon Network has another winner. The only negative is that I have to wait until January to see more. Renegades was serviceable, and I still need more time to make a final call.

The Lego Space Shuttle Adventure...Complete!

All right! The deed is done. I managed to finish my Lego Space Shuttle before the actual Space Shuttle program finished (last launch date currently 12/17/10). It was a really fun build and quite challenging. I think that you can see by the pictures that the likeness is wonderful (down to the tiny crew members).

My daughter really wanted to help me with this one, but I selfishly ended up building it myself over a couple of nights. I'll make it up to her with many purchases of the new space sets that she can build herself.

The shuttle now has a prominent place on my desk, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to take it apart. If you are a Lego or space enthusiast definitely pick this up!

A New Look for Our Intrepid Jedi Trio

An interesting new look for our three favorite Jedi has been posted at Starwars.com. I am glad that they are evolving the characters as the Clone Wars series progresses. I did like the "armored" Obi-Wan and Anakin look, blending clone trooper and Jedi, but the new "robe look" is classic. Notice how Ahsoka's color scheme matches Anakin's more closely now, reflecting a change in her attitude as well perhaps? Can't wait to watch this Friday...

Boba Nostalgia

Each year (recently) Hasbro has been offering mail-away figures for their Star Wars line. You send in a bunch of UPC codes off the backs of other Star Wars action figures, plus a couple of bucks for shipping and handling, and they send you an exclusive figure. This year, in conjunction with the release of the new Vintage line, they offered a throwback Boba Fett. This is an entirely new sculpt made to look exactly like the original mail-away figure from 1979-80, except this one can actually fire the missile out of his backpack! Check out the comparison between the new mail-away (left) and the 1979 orginal (right). Spot on!

In Progress... The Lego Space Shuttle Adventure

I got this for my birthday back in the summer and I am finally getting around to putting this amazing piece of plastic together. I managed to finish the orbiter up over the weekend and wanted to post some quick picutres. It's great! A very accurate representation of the real shuttle. Once I get the ET, SRBs and launch pad done, I'll post completed pictures.

Lego + NASA UPDATE

I just wanted to point out a great article at collectSPACE that goes into a lot more detail around the parternship between Lego and NASA and what it entails, including details on what Lego models will be launching on STS-133 and 134, plans for educational activilities, and two pictures of upcoming space-related Lego sets.

How Much Tron Is Too Much Tron?

I haven't figured out the answer to that question yet. We still have about a month and a half until Tron: Legacy comes out and I don't know if I have reached my "overexposure limit" yet. I am all for nostalgia and "re-imagining" old properties when done tastefully and respectfully, but I am also desperately hungry for originality.

Disney is doing their best to promote the heck out of this movie and turn it into another franchise (sorry Prince of Persia and Sorcerer's Apprentice), which I applaud (I own stock). I loved the first movie and still remember seeing it with my dad at the Gold Circle Cinemas in Canton, Ohio when it came out in 1982 (I don't know if he liked it). I even had an "Art of Tron" book with all the great concept sketches by Moebius and other artists (wish I still had it). I didn't have the glow-in-the-dark action figures though.

Let's review some Tron-y stuff that has come out recently and been posted on every other website on the Internet. First up, the movie poster...great homage to the original (haven't reached Tron saturation yet).

But wait, the poster gets bigger and looks even cooler (Tron frustration levels still low)...

Then there are the toys. I promised I wouldn't get roped into another line, and I haven't...except for this cool identity disc with lights and sound! How can you pass that up (well you might be able to)?

Then there was recent news of an animated series coming on Disney XD in 2012 called Tron: Uprising. OK, this has the potential to put me over the top, but wait...the voice case is rumored to include Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Paul Reubens, and Lance Henriksen, with Bruce Boxleitner reprising his role as Tron! Great googily-moogily that's impressive (I am a sucker for anything with Frank Black/Bishop in it). Disney, you may continue your marketing blitz...

Next up, Disney owns Marvel, Marvel owns Iron Man, Disney owns Tron...hmmm maybe a Tron-inspired Iron Man? OK, this is getting close to pushing me over the top, but I will concede to corporate synergy.

Will I reach my limit before the movie comes out? Will I be happy if loads of people go see it, love it, yet not know anything about the original? Will I force my poor daughter to see the original? We shall see...

End of line.

Lego + NASA = Pure Awesome!

Lego Partners With NASA to Build and Explore the Future

Neat stuff...happy to see that there is going to be a parternship here. Two great things that taste great together! Check out the press release HERE and see the forthcoming Lego site HERE.

Lego has a history of creating great realistic space exploration sets like their Launch Command series from 1990, the Space Port theme from 1999, and the NASA-themed sets they did with the Discovery Channel in 2003 (Space Shuttle, Space Station, Saturn V, Mars Exploration Rover, etc.).

Next year they are planning a new City theme that focuses on a space launch center (a nice update to previous themes). It will be interesting to see how they both leverage this partnership.