Tron 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

By: The Dweeb

March 2002

DVD Features Video: 2.20:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 “The Making of Tron” – All New, Extensive Documentary, Including New Interviews Deleted Scenes with All-New Introductions by Bruce Boxleitner Production Photo Gallery – All-Encompassing Gallery, Including Never-Before-Seen Photos Audio Commentary with Steven Lisberger, Donald Kushner, Harrison Ellenshaw and Richard Taylor 3-D Animated Menus that Put You in the World of Tron Storyboards Showcasing Early Work on Light Cycles Storyboard-To-Film Comparisons THX-Certified Theatrical release: 1982 DVD released on 1/15/2002 by Disney Running time of 96 minutes Starring: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner,David Warner,Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes Director: Steven Lisberger Plot: When Flynn (Jeff Bridges) hacks into the mainframe of his ex-employer to prove his work was stolen by another executive, he finds himself on a much bigger adventure. Beamed inside by a power-hungry Master Control Program, he joins computer gladiators on a deadly game grid, complete with high-velocity “Light Cycles” and Tron (Bruce Boxleitner), a specialized security program. Together they fight the ultimate battle with the MCP to decide the fate of both the electronic world and the real world!

When I found out this was coming to DVD I had to have it, yes I am a geek. Here was a movie from my childhood that was one of the most fantastic I had ever seen (next to the Star Wars series of course). Would that stand up to the test of time? You bet. Watching this movie again 20 years later is a real trip. One of the earliest examples of computer animation, this movie still stacks up against the animated fare of the past 10 years.

I really enjoyed this flick, it has a simple straightforward plot, cool graphics, and I had a good laugh at some of the computer technology form the early 80’s. The acting may seem a little sterile at times from some of the cast, but Jeff Bridges can pull it off well and hold this movie together. Tron isn’t really about the acting anyway. Its a showcase for the animators and computer programmers who put this unique movie together.

This disc is THX certified and was digitally mastered, well you would think it was. I thought they would at least clean up the film, some of the scenes look grainy on my digital television. But the outlines and the colors are really crisp and bright throughout most of this movie. Sound is also excellent.

Wow, some of the scenes really come to life in surround sound. I can hear a lot of detail, and it really enhances a lot of the action sequences. As far as the overall packaging of this movie, it’s pretty good. Although I think the menu on the feature disc is not as cool as the second disc. Some screens were hard to navigate as some links do not clearly show where they are supposed to go. The second disc can put you into TRON overload. Chock full of goodies, including a documentary on how this movie came to be. Lots of story boards, early animation demos, and deleted scenes. There just a ton of stuff on here, probably as long as the movie!

Yes I know its cheesey, but I’m going to have to rate it a buy!

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!