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The [TRON] Uprising Ended Before it Began

ani_game_bumani_game_bum Optimistic, Rule-Breaking Nice GuyThe Final World/DestinationRegistered User regular
edited January 2013 in Social Entropy++
BEGIN TRANSMISSION…

Greetings, Users…

Before a Legacy was passed on, there was an Uprising…

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So what is this “Uprising” all about, anyway?

During the promotional run-up to the premier of TRON: Legacy, Disney announced that the story of TRON would expand beyond the big screen and be adapted as an animated series that would focus on the events prior to Legacy. Over the course of the next year and a half, Disney would tap the talents of Charlie Bean (Dexter’s Laboratory, PowerPuff Girls, Samurai Jack) as the main director and executive producer, Joseph Trapanese (TRON: Legacy, Fast Five) to score the series, and a host of versatile and well-known actors to contribute their voice talents to breathe life to the denizens of The Grid.

TRON: Uprising premiered on May 2012 as a 30-minute pre-season special on the Disney Channel, while the TV series ran on Disney XD staring in June 2012. The plot revolves around a Program who, after watching one of his best friends get derezzed (or deleted, if you will) by an invading force led by CLU2 (the main antagonist from TRON: Legacy), decides to fight back by disguising himself as the former protector of The Grid, TRON, now thought to be dead as the result of CLU2’s betrayal during his coup d’etat of The Grid. As a result from an act of defiance, another Program watching from the shadows feels that the time has come to rise against the Occupation and take back The Grid.


Blah, blah, blah; words bore me. I want to see some lightcycles in action!

OK. Here is a compilation clip Disney released as part of the Digital Soundtrack release on January 2013, spoiled due to clips from future episodes.

OK, now that’s what I’m talking about!

Good, I’m glad you liked it. The visual style and the Daft Punk-inspired music is a big part of what makes the series, IMO. Also the cast does a pretty solid job in playing their roles. Interested in seeing who’s who?


Well…

Awesome, I knew you would be interested! Here they are, spoiled for length and double-spoiled in spots for those not wanting to ruin the main story.

The Good
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Beck (VA: Elijah Wood)
The main protagonist of TRON: Uprising, Beck is a Mechanic Program that helps keep lightcycles in tip-top shape in Argon City. Everything changed for Beck when CLU2’s Occupation force takes over his city and his best friend gets derezzed right in front of him for standing up to an Occupation soldier. Beck decides to fight back and disguised himself in the guise of TRON and attempts to undermine the Occupation force. The Occupation force, unconvinced that this TRON-wannabe is the real deal, dubs the troublesome Program “The Renegade”.

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Able (VA: Reginald VelJohnson)/Mara (VA: Mandy Moore)/ Zed (VA: Nate Corddry)
Beck’s garage boss and two of his best friends, respectively, and your obligatory set of side characters that seem to get involved around whatever Beck/The Renegade is up to each episode. One has the hots for The Renegade, one thinks The Renegade is trouble, and the other has a secret connection to whom the guise The Renegade wears represents. I’ll let you figure out who is who.
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TRON (VA: Bruce Boxleitner)
Thought to be dead by the hands of CLU2, TRON now hides in the Outlands of The Grid recovering from the damage left scarred on his body. TRON finds Beck after escaping from the Occupation force and decided to train him to become the new TRON of The Grid. TRON pushes Beck to the limit gives as much support as he can in his limited state and initially keeps his distance from forming a bond with Beck. As a Program who was betrayed by his closest friends, he has yet to forgive and forget those who have scarred him.

The Bad
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General Tesler (VA: Lance Henriksen)
One of CLU2’s generals that is charged with the occupation of Argon City in part of CLU2’s desire to create the perfect system. Not convinced that the troublesome Program that wears the symbol of TRON is the real thing, Tesler labels him “The Renegade” and does what he can to prevent disorder while convincing the public that CLU2’s vision of a perfect system is ideal. Not above getting his hands dirty or misleading the public or his subordinates to further CLU2’s cause, Tesler will stop at nothing to accomplish CLU2’s goals.

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Paige (VA: Emmanuelle Chriqui)
Tesler’s field commander and enforcer who tries to stop The Renegade from disrupting the Occupation. As one of the first to battle with The Renegade, she develops an interest in finding out who the man behind the mask really is. Once a Medic Program, she joined CLU2’s cause for a perfect system after encountering a group of ISOs and was convinced that they are the ones responsible for derezzing her former colleagues.

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Pavel (VA: Paul Reubens)
Tesler’s right-hand program and overall silly goose bad guy of the story. He is pretty much the first to run away from a disaster and quick to blame others for his mistakes. He’s will abandon you the first chance he gets if it’s suits his ambitions and will do it with a smile. I really don’t have anything nice to say about him; he’s the typical silly goose you root against each week. Moving on…


Wow, there are a lot of good names on that list!

I know, and there are guest voice appearances!
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Keller (VA: Marcia Gay Harden)
A Scientist Program working for the Occupation that is having second thoughts about having her work used for the good of a perfect system.
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Cyrus (VA: Jesse Pinkman Aaron Paul)
A mysterious Program that Beck encounters in the Outlands after falling into a sinkhole and discovering a hidden part of The Grid. Cyrus revels to Beck, who knows that he is The Renegade after examining Beck’s Identity Disk, that he was also recruited and trained by TRON before TRON met Beck. Cyrus plans to destroy The Grid as a way to free the Programs under CLU2’s regime.


OK, you got me intrigued. So where can I find the show?

There are a couple of ways to see the show that I know of:

- If you watch via cable/sat TV, new episodes air on Disney XD at Midnight EST Monday.

- The show is also available on iTunes and Amazon, with the pre-season episode available for free to download from iTunes. I believe new episodes are available for download the day of release if you have a season pass.

- Oh, and there is also the digital soundtrack I mentioned earlier that just got released and is on iTunes, as well.


…Wait, Midnight on a Monday? That’s seems like a weird timeslot. What gives?

Well, here’s the rub. As great of a visual and audio treat TRON: Uprising is (backed by it multiple Annie Award nominations the show has accumulated this past year) it has been having trouble getting a consistently growing viewing audience since its release back in June 2012.

The truth and bottom line is that Disney has abandoned its support for the animated series and has recently announced the cancellation of the series with the final new few episodes airing over the next few weeks, ending it’s run on January 28th, 2013.


So you got us all excited and everything just for a dying and soon to be cancelled show?

Hey, I don’t like it either. All I can do now is generate awareness and let others that do not know about the show get a chance to experience it before it becomes one-season animation trivia material. I’m sure there are petitions to sign and other places to rage in the Internet; go and complain out there if you want.


Alright, alright, sorry. Is there anything else you want to tell us?

As far as future developments of the TRON franchise, it looks like there is a definite push from Disney to start the pre-production process of the third TRON movie as of December 2012. Garret Hedlund is looking to return to the series as well as Joseph Kosinski to direct the picture. So while we may lose the battle for the moment with having TRON on TV, it may not be too far off that we get another theatrical release.

So let us discuss Uprising (as well as the TRON series as a whole, if you like) here and enjoy the last few weeks of new content before the show meets its end.

END OF LINE



TRON LIVES

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Posts

  • MugginsMuggins Registered User regular
    I like this show, even if the animation could be better.

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  • ani_game_bumani_game_bum Optimistic, Rule-Breaking Nice Guy The Final World/DestinationRegistered User regular
    It definitely is a unique blend of animation. There is a lot of dark color in use throughout the series, which accents the blue-white and red light patterns on most of the characters and devices used. It took a while for me to adjust to the mix of animation types, but I like it now as a whole.

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  • KochikensKochikens Registered User regular
    Siiigghh

  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    Motorcity died too. RIP.

  • ani_game_bumani_game_bum Optimistic, Rule-Breaking Nice Guy The Final World/DestinationRegistered User regular
    I think at one point Uprising led into Motor City on Thursdays. Sorry to see it go; from an uninitiated perspective it looked like an animated Fast and the Furious set in future Detroit from the Robocop movies.

    I guess it shows whether it's a new concept or an established fan-favorite IP it's tough to know what will catch on with today's viewers.

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  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    I watched the first episode of this and liked it a lot
    I guess I'll jump on the rest of it now

    I've been just itching for some more Tron stuff lately for some reason

  • RankenphileRankenphile Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood.Registered User, Moderator mod
    I know this is fucking heresy to some, but I seriously didn't see the appeal in the new Tron movie. It just seemed like a weak story that was only there to get from one pseudo-futuristic fashionable special effects sequence to the next.

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  • 101101 Registered User regular
    The story wasn't ground-breaking but it was fun and had good characters with some pretty good performances.

    Combined with the soundtrack and visuals the film is a fun ride.

    As for this animated series the animation and the asthetics in the trailer have put me off it. something about that style just really rubs me the wrong way

  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    I know this is fucking heresy to some, but I seriously didn't see the appeal in the new Tron movie. It just seemed like a weak story that was only there to get from one pseudo-futuristic fashionable special effects sequence to the next.

    Oh you're hardly alone in that
    I'll agree that the story was kinda weak but I really like the design of everything and it did enough world-building that I wanted to see more of it

    Plus, I don't think this was discussed nearly enough in the actual movie, but
    the implications of a sapient code-based lifeform which evolved in a man-made computer system but which is itself entirely free of human guidance? and which has now crossed into our world, presumably bringing with it that funky triple-stranded DNA?

    the implications of such a development, along with the possibility of free and easy transportation between two completely different universes with their own laws of physics, is the sort of stuff that old-school sci-fi could really use to blow your fucking mind

    What I'm saying is that I like the potential that the movie established, and which hopefully they'll expand upon, given the writers' comments on where they're going with the next movie

  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    Like the movie seriously dropped the ball on discussing that outside of like 3 lines from Jeff Bridges but that whole thing gives me the biggest nerd boner

  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    Yeah, I thought that was a really cool concept and I'd like to see something done with it (either in another TRON movie or some unrelated movie, I don't care)

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  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    The writers have said that the next one will deal with "what life and death mean in the digital realm" which is pretty clearly a) we're gonna get Jeff Bridges back in this piece however we can but also hopefully b) we will explore some of the deeper implications of the first movie

  • LanglyLangly Registered User regular
    I know this is fucking heresy to some, but I seriously didn't see the appeal in the new Tron movie. It just seemed like a weak story that was only there to get from one pseudo-futuristic fashionable special effects sequence to the next.

    It wasn't a good movie.

    Tron Legacy was a bad movie.

  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    Absolute statements are fun!

  • LanglyLangly Registered User regular
    I will burn tron legacy to the ground for making an entire marvel event use that dumb neon ribbing on everyone

    so dumb

  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    I thought those were just some variant covers
    Did they actually do a story like that?

  • LanglyLangly Registered User regular
    Grey Ghost wrote: »
    I thought those were just some variant covers
    Did they actually do a story like that?

    NOPE

    Fear Itself seriously had all of the characters get tron ribbing, it lasted for what seemed like an eternity.

  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    hahahahaha

  • LanglyLangly Registered User regular
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    making a joke about it doesn't make it better, comic book writer.

  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    Light piping is the light

    When executed well

    Fear Itself and spidey's stealth suit weren't

    The variant covers were

  • PMAversPMAvers Registered User regular
    Wait.

    I had no idea there was episodes past the first one of Uprising. D:

    MUST RECTIFY.

    (I still totally have my ENCOM badge & lanyard and the Spirit of 89 pin from the Flynn Lives event. The latter's been on my namebadge at work ever since I got it.)

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  • Munkus BeaverMunkus Beaver You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to. Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPA regular
    I know this is fucking heresy to some, but I seriously didn't see the appeal in the new Tron movie. It just seemed like a weak story that was only there to get from one pseudo-futuristic fashionable special effects sequence to the next.

    No, I totally agree. I saw it with a group of friends and we almost walked out. The story was terrible, the ending was an embarrassment, and there basically wasn't a single redeeming thing about the movie. I don't get why some people fawn over it so much, it's almost as if some folk have a fetish for those types of 3-D effects that causes cognitive dissonance.

    Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
  • Grey GhostGrey Ghost Registered User regular
    Oh thanks guys
    You talked me into it
    I realize I was wrong for liking that movie

  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    It is amazing how much people dislike that movie

  • NaphtaliNaphtali Hazy + Flow SeaRegistered User regular
    eh, so what if it was bad movie

    it was still fun as spectacle

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  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    Yeah, I mean it wasn't fucking amazing or anything but I still enjoyed it.

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  • DichotomyDichotomy Registered User regular
    Langly wrote: »
    I will burn tron legacy to the ground for making an entire marvel event use that dumb neon ribbing on everyone

    so dumb

    tron legacy ruined the integrity of a marvel comics crossover event? well of course nobody could forgive that

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  • CampionCampion Registered User regular
    I hope we get to find out more about Rinzler before the series ends. That the episodes with Tron going crazy didn't go into it more was kind of super disappointing.

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  • ShabootyShabooty Registered User regular
    tron legacy was fun

  • MeldingMelding Registered User regular
    Tron Legacy is basically Heavy Metal.

    Neat (generally) visuals for what was basically an overly long music video for in this case, Daft Punk.

  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    tron legacy was one of the few movies where I actually enjoyed watching it in 3D

    it was really pretty and the action scenes were fun, the music was aces and it was fun to see Daft Punk

    the story was disposable and honestly I can't recall much of the plot at this point, and whatever world they built up didn't seem particularly consistent

    I went in to it expecting to turn my brain off and munch popcorn and look at flashy things and it more or less managed that.



  • Garret DoriganGarret Dorigan "Why can't I be DLC for UMvC3?"Registered User regular
    TRON Legacy isn't a great movie...

    It has decent visuals, pretty good music, pretty good pacing, a laughable story, bad exposition, decent acting, and above average action.

    It is an acceptable movie. If you look at it more as a huge exposition for future products, then it's a little better.

    Uprising on the other hand, at least for me, hits the Uncanny Valley so goddamn hard with those weird ass Aeon Flux like body proportions that I just can't stomach what seemingly is a pretty good show.

    "Never Hit"
  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    didnt the guy behind feel good inc's music video work on the character designs for uprising

    pretty sure it's the case

  • see317see317 Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Depressing to see the cartoon get shut down. Not particularly surprised considering the scheduling games and general apathy for the series, but still disappointed to see it go.

    It had an odd aesthetic but I enjoyed it, and it was kind of nice to see a villain who was actually capable and somewhat menacing as opposed to the normal comedically inept villains that most cartoons seem to resort too.
    Also had a surprising amount of violence for a cartoon, granted I'd imagine it's easier to get away with having a villain execute a subordinate who disagreed with him when the executee simply dissolves into tiny glowy cubes, but still watching the guy backpedal before he got derezzed... Kind of surprised it made it through the S&P people, to say nothing of all the programs that the protaganist took apart.

    Edit: cross posted from the D&D western animation thread
    Guessing the guy who let the cat out of the bag on that one got a talking to, and is trying to go back on what he said.
    http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/13/tron-uprising-producer-we-need-more-viewers

    Hey, if this works to spark some interest in the show (enough for me to get it on blu-ray or to get a season 2), I'll not complain a bit.

    see317 on
  • Kayos93Kayos93 Registered User new member
    Its sad to see such a great series go, it was beautiful and fun to watch with a good plot
    If you want more of the Uprising, please go to http://chn.ge/RGVunX and petition Disney to let them know the fans are out there and want to see more!

  • PiptheFairPiptheFair Frequently not in boats. Registered User regular
    yeah I am absolutely not clicking that link

  • MeldingMelding Registered User regular
    online petitions.

    Cute.

  • KwoaruKwoaru Confident Smirk Flawless Golden PecsRegistered User regular
    PiptheFair wrote: »
    yeah I am absolutely not clicking that link

    speaking of links not worth clicking

    the stream in that other thread is kinda sad

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  • MugginsMuggins Registered User regular
    It definitely is a unique blend of animation. There is a lot of dark color in use throughout the series, which accents the blue-white and red light patterns on most of the characters and devices used. It took a while for me to adjust to the mix of animation types, but I like it now as a whole.

    Well no I mean

    The animation itself is stinted

    It's in stepped tangents for most of the thing. That's what gives it that kind of jilted movement vibe. Like an old video game that has like half as many frames of animation on it. It's a clever take to hide lower animation production costs but it doesn't quite work sometimes.

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  • Man of the WavesMan of the Waves Registered User regular
    Tron: Uprising was pretty decent.

    I'm really going to miss Motorcity, though. I'm glad it got to finish a full season, I want more, though. The plot was fairly generic, but it was so well done. Best animation, action, voice work, and music.

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