[Ed. Note: Comic-Con was huge news this weekend, and Anthony has sifted through the voluminous online reporting to bring you these highlights of the event. This post was originally released on Sound on Sight. For reviews of the biggest movies of this summer, please check out CL's Movies & Television site.]

Avatar

James Cameron's 12-years-in-the making, $250 million production appeared to deliver the goods and live up to the hype after a 25-minute preview of Avatar was greeted by a standing ovation on Thursday night. At least in terms of the visuals, most agree that the sneak peek displayed some of the most advanced CGI ever produced.  But what's also notable is the way it was filmed: The camera movements mimic a shaky, almost documentary-like approach, leaving a visual experience that is not only state of the art but unique as well. Many are saying that the CGI world that Cameron and crew have created feels almost as if they "took a camera and placed it on another planet."

And the 3D (for once) doesn't draw attention to itself, but is there to only enhance the experience. Avatar could possibly be a game changer for those who are turned off by 3D. The story centers around a paraplegic veteran sent to a planet called Pandora inhabited by a humanoid race called the Na'vi. The colonizing humans find themselves at odds with the planet's indigenous population and war breaks out. One critic likened it to a "Dances with Wolves in space."

There were also some notable announcements about the film including news of  free screenings on August 21^st at IMAX screens around the world, as well as a teaser trailer set to be released early next month. Avatar toys have also made their debut for anyone excited about that stuff.

Here is a video of Avatar's Panel:

Tron Legacy

The teaser trailer for Tron Legacy (formerly Tron 2.0) has launched us into fanboy heaven. The famous racing sequence from the original has been updated with some advanced-but-thankfully-still-stylized CGI in the tradition of the original 1981 cult classic. But this isn't new to anyone who was at last year's Comic-Con — It's the exact same footage that played in 2008. Many of this year's attendees were disappointed that there was very little footage shown, given the fact that the film has just wrapped shooting. Now, I haven't seen the first film since I was around 8 years old, but this reboot/sequel looks to be fascinating. Bonus: The film's original score is by Daft Punk, and the film was shot using the same advanced 3D cameras as Avatar.

Here is Disney's official synopsis of the film:

"TRON is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that's unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (GARRETT HEDLUND), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (JEFF BRIDGES), looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant (OLIVIA WILDE), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous."

Trailer

Now compare to 28 years ago.

Have a look-see at the new Lightcycle.

Kick Ass

Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Layer Cake) has returned with an adaptation of the comic book series about a nerd with no special powers or training who decides to become a superhero. Many are ecstatic over Vaughn's approach to the genre that mixes a lighthearted tone with gruesome violence and vulgar language. And apparently he was still able to remain faithful to the source material. Double win. The film stars Aaron Johnson, Nic Cage, Mark Strong, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (or McLovin from Superbad).

Here's the imdb synopsis:

"Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training. "

Kick Ass Panel

Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton made his Comic-Con debut with the highly anticipated (and highly predictable) trailer for his adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. The trailer offers much in the realm of visuals, but little else.

Iron Man 2

It was the last big film presentation this year and drew a huge applause. Many were anxious to see if the film would live up to the first film's sensational appearance in 2007. The footage included Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) being approached by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to join the Avengers. There was Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko, and then in costume for Whiplash, causing car crashes on a racetrack with his electrified whips. There is also the introduction of Sam Rockwell as arms dealer Justin Hammer and a brief appearance by Scarlett Johansson kicking some ass as Black Widow. But it was the debut of the war machine (will all its guns blazing) that brought down the house.

Iron Man 2 Panel Part 1

Iron Man 2 Panel Part 2

Where the Wild Things Are

Spike Jonze's long awaited adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book was greeted with one of the most enthusiastic responses at Comic-Con (rivaling Avatar and Kick Ass).  The 10 minutes that was shown included scenes of the creatures playing and building a fort, and apparently it left audiences stunned. There was also a small featurette about the film's production that includes interviews with Sendak and Jonze as well as some gorgeous new footage. Right now, anticipation has gone to the stratosphere. Poor James Cameron has had his thunder stolen.

Featurette

Where the Wild Things Are Panel

Trailer