Tron Legacy

I recently saw Tron Legacy. I had to: I am a computer geek; I saw the first movie when I was a kid, and again at some point as a young adult on cable. Some observations.

I would require sufficient disaster recovery measures before I allowed myself to be zapped into a computer. It's a good thing no one ever switched off whatever system the Grid is running on. Twenty-one years of uptime? Amazing.

No reasonable person goes to a Tron movie expecting a focus on character development. It's about the world - the cycles, ships, and political system. It's like Alice in wonderland: more of a fanciful reflection of our own world than a study in psychological realism.

Encom is apparently the Atari/Oracle of the Tron world, and Kevin Flynn is Steve Jobs . . .if he had never come back from NeXT.

Brilliant cameo (I won't spoil) in the boardroom.

Favorite catchphrases: " . . .fights for the users", "greetings, programs", "You're messing with my Zen thing, man!".

This is one of two movies featuring Jeff Bridges that are out, and which I want to see.

The ending presents some implications that were not fully present in the first film.

Programs should not be elevated to posses user rights.

There is not enough Recognizer action. I'll take a Recognizer over the light cycles any day of the week.

Best supporting actor - the guy who played CLU's lackey. He's from True Blood, I think.

I really don't get the Tron hate in some reviews - even geek reviews. It is not a bad film. Boy misses father, chases him down the rabbit hole, fights the red - well, yellow - queen, and escapes. the visuals are stunning, on par with the breakthrough (for the time) of the original. the Young Jeff Bridges effect worked for me.

Also? Michael Sheen is hilarious. OTT, but hilarious all the same.

So programs, stop hating on Tron. it's a fun romp, and updated take on a memento from childhood. For me, it reminded me of why I got into and have stayed in technology. It's cool. It's shiny and fast-paced and addictive. Also, strange men in high towers have the ability to grant or deny you access to valuable resources.

End of Line.

Friday

The first full day after Summer II finals. I could not wait to get the weekend started, so I went shopping and saw a movie.

A friend of mine works at a women's wear chain, and she clued me in to steep discounts for the weekend. Altogether I got about 40% of regular prices. This isn't a chain I normally shop at, but I did find some interesting pieces and some basics to shore up my aging wardrobe. A jazzy new skirt, a boring corporate skirt, some sleeveless, ruffled tops, and some minor items round out the basket.

After that, I went to see Moon, starring Sam Rockwell, directed by Duncan Jones (fka Zowie Bowie). Along the way I ran into a friend from my days at the Lyceum, and we chatted a bit before heading off in different directions.

I really enjoyed Moon. I like science fiction in general, the more realistic the better. I was surprised at how soon the film gave up its first surprise, and where they went with the story after that. I also liked - but was confused by - the level of help provided by the HAL-equivalent. Speaking of which, one friend described Moon as, "2001 but with 100% less sleep."