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- An Underrated Take on the ‘Tron‘ Franchise
- Beck Has to Save the Grid in ‘Tron: Uprising’
- ‘Tron: Uprising’ Caters to All Ages
As a long-time fan of the Tron franchise, I was overjoyed when Disney XD announced the release of Tron: Uprising back in 2012. Being a child of the ’80s, the original Tron movie left an indelible mark on my young imagination, and I eagerly awaited each new installment with bated breath.
Through an interview conducted by Empire Magazine with Joachim Rønning, director of “Tron: Ares”, we’ve gained valuable insights into the upcoming film within the Disney-owned franchise. While the armor in red and the accompanying vehicle shown in Empire’s exclusive image appear formidable, maintaining the futuristic style that is characteristic of the Tron series, there seems to be a mixed reaction online towards this movie. Various opinions about the movie abound, with several factors contributing to the differing views.
As a movie enthusiast, one aspect that catches my attention when considering a new film is the premise of the story – in this case, it’s intriguing because it involves a program interfering with reality, something fresh and unprecedented within the series. However, there are other factors that raise some eyebrows. For instance, the director for the upcoming ‘Tron: Ares’ is the same one who worked on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’, a film which had the lowest opening day revenue of the franchise. Lastly, the decision to replace Daft Punk with Nine Inch Nails in the soundtrack leaves me wondering if the unique musical vibe that made ‘Tron: Legacy’ stand out will still be there.
The director says this change was to help lead Ares into a ‘grittier, more industrial’ space, but some just aren’t buying it. There is something we can all get behind, though, and that is a vastly underrated Tron television series from over 12 years ago, which ended up winning a Primetime Emmy Award. Taking place between the events of the first film from 1982 and the sequel that was released 28 years later, Tron: Uprising was a short-lived cartoon on Disney XD that combined 2D animation and CGI animation.
A sneak peek of the series was included with the DVD and Blu-ray editions of Legacy. This clever promotional strategy worked, as the premiere episode “Beck’s Beginning,” which aired on May 18, 2012, attracted over a million viewers. Before we delve into the unexpectedly dark and intense narrative (it features deaths in the first two episodes), it’s worth noting the exceptional acting talent involved.
An Underrated Take on the ‘Tron’ Franchise
Elijah Wood gives voice to our lead character Beck, while Bruce Boxleitner (known for ‘How The West Was Won’ and ‘Babylon 5’) brings Tron, a legendary figure, to life. Mandy Moore, who is both a singer and an actress, voices Mara, one of Beck’s friends, and Reginald VelJohnson (recognized as Carl Winslow from ‘Family Matters’) lends his voice to Able, Beck’s boss at the garage. Kate Mara, Aaron Paul, Paul Reubens, Donald Faison, and Paul Scheer are just a few of the talented actors in the supporting cast. It appears Disney made an excellent choice when it came to the voices behind these characters. The world of the Grid is truly brought to life by these gifted performers.
Uprising” revolves around a character transformation – that of the AI program named Clu, who was created by Kevin Flynn in 1983. Initially designed to build and manage the Grid, Clu starts feeling resentful towards his creator for spending too much time away from the Grid, and because new life forms are constantly appearing there. In this digital world, Clu (along with several of his Black Guards) challenges Tron and Flynn in a unique cyberspace battle, though the exact outcome varies depending on the source material.
In the wake of their confrontation, Tron is severely injured and abandoned, while his enemy gains enough time to spread chaos. The story then unfolds in Disney XD’s ‘Tron: Uprising’, set after these events, as Clu takes control of multiple cities within the Grid. A young mechanic named Beck is taken by a disguised and scarred Tron, who guides him towards becoming a leader in the resistance against this oppressive rule represented by the figure in red clothing.
Beck Has to Save the Grid in ‘Tron: Uprising’
For younger viewers, the show’s visual style might be something fresh and exciting. However, older audiences may recognize similarities to a science fiction animation on MTV that was popular around 20 years ago. In an interview with Variety Magazine in 2012, the director and executive producer of Tron: Uprising, Charlie Bean, mentioned that his inspiration came from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Thundercats, and even the innovative Aeon Flux. As per Bean, characters with lean and able bodies complemented the perpetually dark and concealed world of the Grid well.
In each episode, viewers were given a visual feast with swiftly changing scenes and vibrant colors that harmoniously complemented each other. Whether we trailed Beck’s companions Mara and Zed through the heart of the city or pursued the lead character as he zipped through the outskirts on his light cycle, the distinctive outline design and flashes of electric blue hues are skillfully rendered to echo the original Tron film’s aesthetic. The depicted world exudes a dreamlike quality with remarkable depth. As Uprising unfolds entirely within the Grid, this series offers a striking contrast to the dramatic shifts in scenery that will be seen in Ares.
‘Tron: Uprising’ Caters to All Ages
Speaking as a passionate cinephile, during that very same interview, Bean casually pointed out how the series was carefully designed to cater to audiences of all ages, considering Disney XD’s primary demographic and dedicated franchise enthusiasts like myself. Without giving away any significant plot points, you can catch a glimpse of this balanced narrative in the opening episodes. For instance, one of Beck’s friends meets an untimely end through the grim “derezzing” (a term from the Tron universe, equivalent to being killed), and later, Rilo – a fellow combatant whom Beck had been attempting to shield during the games – is treacherously stabbed by a black guard. These intense moments, among others, are sure to captivate older viewers who may have been enthralled by the battles they witnessed on the big screen years ago.
Conversely, younger audiences may find the protagonist’s journey motivational, as Beck gradually takes on the role of Tron, much like Peter Parker gains confidence from embracing the Spider-Man identity. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the music for “Tron: Uprising” was composed by Joseph Trapanese, the same musician who collaborated with Daft Punk on their score for “Legacy”. This could be a compelling reason to watch for those who aren’t fond of the musical direction in “Ares”.
Despite Tron: Uprising being abruptly ended after only 19 episodes due to poor viewership, the talented art director responsible for the series’ small-screen adaptation, Alberto Mielgo, surprisingly clinched a Primetime Emmy Award for his artwork on the show in 2013. If you’re curious about this short-lived animated series, Tron: Uprising is conveniently accessible for streaming on Disney+ now.
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2024-11-25 05:02