Review of Tron (1982) by Javier F — 16 May 2014

In the early 1980's, Disney was dabbling into PG-rated territory--at the time unheard of for a family friendly studio. One of their films from this era was TRON, a sci-fi action-adventure involving videogames and computer programming as its central focus.

The film was a box office disappointment in its theatrical release, but somehow it became a cult classic. The plot involves an ex-computer programmer who gets sucked into the digital universe he created where he joins forces with some programs (in reality humans dressed in snazzy looking, glow-in-the-dark white suits) to take down a dictator-like Master Control who rules the whole arena.

It is tempting to write off TRON for its sometimes implausible storyline and occasionally corny dialogue, but it's the visuals that ultimately make it so unique and innovative, especially for a film made in 1982.

Although primitive by today's standards, the early-day computer effects are remarkable; there's something about its polygonal look that conveys the feeling of being inside a digital world in an original, stimulating way compared to modern-day CGI.

The best sequences in the picture are the ones in which the protagonists must play videogames to ensure their survival. One of them in particular involves racing across a grid on colorful motorcycle cars that leave jets of digital color in their wake--even today, this scene is both remarkable and exciting.

As mentioned, you aren't going to find anything noteworthy about TRON's dialogue (even though the actors, namely Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, and David Warner, all do their best to sell it), but if it's a trippy escapade through an entirely new world you're after, then look no further than TRON.

Quite simply, it is one of a kind.