Tron Review

Now we’re in the 80s, sci-fi has now expanded with multiple franchises beginning and continuing. You had films like The Terminator, Predator that have become successful by branching off into different sects of sci-fi. And then you have the heavy’s such as Star Wars and Star Trek that have multiple sequels in that decade. What separates Disney’s Tron is that it takes place inside a new piece of equipment called a computer. Here’s what I think. 

1. Trapped in a Computer

        We follow programmer Kevin Flynn from the start. He’s an avid arcade player and owns his own arcade parlor. He is attempting to get proof that he created a series of games from his company. Meanwhile, his colleague has created the program Master Control Program who has started to become self-aware. Knowing what Flynn is doing, it zaps him into the computer world. From there, Flynn must play to survive and try to get back to the real world. 

        The film is kind of complex since it involves knowing the various computer terms that is being uttered. I give the film credit that it didn’t try to dumb down or BS knowing the ins and outs of the computer. It was kind of interesting how it was being used before the internet. Just seeing Flynn type into his computer telling his program isn’t exciting, but it changes when we see his program CLU attempting to escape MCP’s minions. 

        It reminds me a lot of "Alice in Wonderland", since we see just how things operate inside the computer world. Every program that was ensnared by MCP have thoughts. With that tidbit, I believe that it’s a continuation in that sect of sci-fi’s idea of machines, or in this case programs having humanity. For instance, we see an accounting program going to play against his will. Pleading to the guards that he’s not meant for games.

        With the world itself, it's just screams 80s with the neon colors. And I think that's why it has it's own visual look to it. As for the various denizens that inhabit the world, it's interesting how it's very primitive. Like the world isn't inside an arcade game, but inside a world where the programs think the users are gods. With one of them talking to Kevin and asking why the users create programs.

        And I think it’s appropriate to talk about the CGI. This is the film to use computer generated graphics. How they did it was the set was created by cardboard and among other materials. It’s evident when we see the interior of the tanks. Then rotoscoped which has that distinct blue neon look. Everything else is just quaint to see. It’s an achievement with how much was created and presented without it ever feeling choppy.  

        One last thing that I find interesting with the film is the reason why the film happened to begin with. As I mentioned before, Flynn wants to prove to his company that he created games for them. This plot thread was relevant for the time since some video game creators wanted to be credited for their creation. That’s why you had some developers leave Atari and form their own company called Activision. In just 40 years, this same plot point is brought up in the video game movie Free Guy. 

2. Tron’s Influential Legacy

        The painful thing to bring up about Tron is that it’s very niche. It’s one of the reasons why it’s has a dedicated cult following. People love the idea of being in a computer and play in a game. And while it did make back its money, it was considered a flop by Disney. They wanted the film to do Star Wars money. But with how the film presented itself, audiences found it odd. I think in one aspect when you see the Disney name on top of the film name, people would think it’s a kids movie. That’s what contributed to the studio to create the mature oriented Touchstone Pictures label. 

        It would be years later for Tron to pop up in various medium. My first exposure was for the game Tron 2.0, I haven’t played it but it was marketed on the Disney Channel. And of course the numerous times a cartoon show would reference Tron, right down to South Park parodying how MCP looks. Other than that, I remember the game Snake that I would play. Not knowing that it was inspired by the lightcycle scene in the movie. 

        I might as well talk about Tron: Legacy. Just like the first film, it has a dedicated fanbase who love the way the film looks, especially the soundtrack that was done by Daft Punk. Looking back, it was okay. I feel that it felt derivative of better adventure movies, and it never took the time to explain the events of what transpired. I feel like the franchise should be dormant, only to be awaken and do something interesting. 

3. Overall 

        Tron is filmmaking achievement in terms of its technology. While it can be boring or dated to some who view it. It can at least be appreciated for creating a new special effect that is still having an impact today.