Movie week wraps up with these last two titles, both of which are classics in the realm of video game movies
Movie 11: Tron
Way back in 1982, Disney released Tron to an audience of moviegoers that really weren’t ready for it. Though it didn’t do so hot commercially at it’s release, Tron has become a cult classic. I love this movie, even though by today’s standards, the special effects are a little old-school. It’s a unique concept with and even more unique look.
Tron is the story of computer programmer Kevin Flynn, once employed by ENCOM, but now stuck running an arcade after having his the games he developed stolen by a coworker. When he attempts to break into the company’s mainframe to obtain the evidence he needs to prove that the games are his, the Master Control Program that all but runs the company, digitized Flynn and transports him into the computer system. Together with a security program by the name of Tron, Flynn works to stop the MCP and escape from the virtual world.
Tron has been a cult classic for years, but when it was featured in Square-Enix’s Kingdom Hearts 2, it was introduced to a whole new generation of gamers, bringing the characters of the movie back to life.
There has been some talk of a sequel in recent years, and confirmation has been mostly on-again off-again. I usually detest sequels, but in this case, I’d kind of like to see one. Maybe it will give Tron a second chance at being the blockbuster it could have been.
Movie 12: The Wizard
The last movie of Movie Week, is 1989’s The Wizard. The movie is the story of a boy named Jimmy who has been more or less catatonic since witnessing his sister’s death, but who has an amazing talent for playing video games. When his parents resolve to send him away to a psychiaitric hospital, Jimmy and his half-brother Corey embark on a trip across the country to compete in the nation video game championships to prove to his parents that he doesn’t belong in an institution.
Ridiculous premise aside, The Wizard is my all-time favorite video game-based movie… largely because someone out there actually had the balls to make a 100 minute Nintendo commercial and make people pay to see it. And a commercial is exactly what The Wizard is, right up to the big reveal of Super Mario Brothers 3, not to mention the various other products spotlighted, including the Power Glove, and the now-defunct Nintendo hints hotline. It’s a virtual tour of some of the more iconic Nintendo gadgets of the 80s.
This movie’s greatest asset is it’s campiness. Even though most of the situations are completely implausible you can’t help but cheer for the characters and boo the bad guys.
That concludes Another Castle’s movie week. Hope you enjoyed it!
Nikki Blight: is still trying to find that damn princess... when she's not writing fresh code for the217.com.
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Nikki Blight
is still trying to find that damn princess... when she's not writing fresh code for the217.com.