Disney’s trotting out ‘Tron’ for 10-day, big-screen run

Disney’s computer-animated fantasy “Tron” has had a remarkable afterlife for a film considered a critical and commercial disappointment when it was released in the summer of 1982. The granddaddy of computer-generated animation, “Tron” has influenced a generation of animators and visual effects artists. No less than Pixar’s John Lasseter declared: “Without ‘Tron,’ there would be no ‘Toy Story.’ ”

The movie also spawned an award-winning sequel, “Tron 2.0” -- albeit in the form of a video game -- last year.

“Tron” will be back on the big screen beginning Thursday for a special 10-day engagement at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood; the film originally played across the street at the Chinese. An archival 70-millimeter print, featuring a six-channel Dolby soundtrack, will be shown. Original costumes and memorabilia also will be on display at the theater.

Opening-night festivities include a live “Tron 2.0 Tournament” that will be played out on the theater screen, as well as a panel discussion moderated by Oscar-nominated visual effects artist-filmmaker Harrison Ellenshaw and featuring the film’s director Steven Lisberger, visual effects supervisor Richard Taylor and production designer-futurist Syd Mead.

For those unfamiliar with the plot of “Tron,” Jeff Bridges plays a creator of computer games who hacks the mainframe of his ex-employer only to be zapped inside the neon-colored, power-mad Master Control Program. Once trapped in the program, he joins computer gladiators on a deadly game grid where he attempts to fight his way out and back to reality. Bruce Boxleitner plays Tron, a specialized security program.

For tickets for opening night and other screenings call (800) Disney6 or go to www.elcapitantickets.com.

-- Susan King