A masterpiece of breakthrough CGI ingenuity, Disney celebrates the 20th anniversary of TRON, a dazzling film at the flashpoint of a continuing revolution in its genre. This special collector's edition showcases an epic adventure inside a brave new world where the action is measureed in microseconds. When Flynn (Jeff Bridges) hacks 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!
The surprising truth about Disney's 1982 computer-game fantasy is that it's still visually impressive (though technologically quaint by later high-definition standards) and a lot of fun. It's about a computer wizard named Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who is digitally broken down into a data stream by a villainous software pirate (David Warner) and reconstituted into the internal, 3-D graphical world of computers. It is there, in the blazingly colorful, geometrically intense landscapes of cyberspace, that Flynn joins forces with Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) to outmaneuver the Master Control program that holds them captive in the equivalent of a gigantic, infinitely challenging computer game. Disney's wizards used a variety of cinematic techniques and early-'80s state-of-the-art computer-generated graphics to accomplish their dynamic visual goals, and the result was a milestone in cyberentertainment, catering to technogeeks while providing a dazzling adventure for hackers and nonhackers alike. Appearing just in time to celebrate the nascent cyberpunk movement in science fiction, Tron received a decidedly mixed reaction when originally released, but has since become a high-tech favorite and a landmark in special effects, with a loyal following of fans. DVD is a perfect format for the movie's neon-glow color scheme, and the musical score by synthesizer pioneer Wendy Carlos is faithfully preserved on the digitally remastered soundtrack. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Rating:
Summary: Real enjoyment depends much on nostalgia.
Comment: Let me first say, as a matter of integrity, that I was NOT born when Tron was first made and furthermore that this is a review of the movie itself, and not this particular edition. And while I was (when I was a child), and still continue to be a fan of 80's action movies with a strange depiction of technology, it really is difficult to recommend it to modern viewers.

The truth is, Tron isn't aging that well. On one hand, I feel almost obligated to say that this should be required viewing for the modern moviegoer, if not just to be introduced to the roots of the transition between brick and mortar to digital movie sets. On the other, 30 years have made the visuals almost laughable. This wouldn't be a problem if the plot consisted of more than a "outwit some generic baddies and kill the main antagonist" plot with some cheap techno-satire thrown in. It consists of little more than this.

For a cyberpunk experience more palatable to today's audience, I would feel more confident in suggesting something along the lines of Bladerunner (a film which has aged VERY well), A Scanner Darkly... even first Matrix really.

Despite my gripes, however, I must admit that this film never fails to achieve a certain degree of charm. I just suggest that maybe you rent before you buy.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Games Without Borders
Comment: "Tron" is one of Disney's singular live action achievements. Before the Matrix, before Dark City, Disney tackled virtual reality. One may chuckle at the primitive special effects now... but it still stands as a timeless classic. It's got a thrilling,suspenseful story,an interesting premise,good acting,and a cool techno score.

"Tron" is about a young video game designer,Flynn (Jeff Bridges,in computer geek slacker mode). His ideas have been pirated by the evil Dillinger (David Warner,enjoying it) Flynn has to regain his programs. He plunges into the world of virtual reality--meeting up with Tron (Bruce Boxleitner,in his pre-Babylon 5 days) and Sora. They are part of the "Electric Gladiator Games." They ride lightcycles,they compete in a form of jai alai,the traditional Basque game. In the extended edition,there are deleted scenes,such as a suggestive love scene between Tron and Sora. Tron sacrifices himself to save the day.

For Boxleitner,his Tron role made up for not receiving the coveted role of Luke Skywalker (at the time,called Luke Starkiller) Tron IS a memorable role,even for those of us who haven't seen him in Babylon 5.

"Tron" is truly an electrifying movie. Plug in!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The definitive 1980's technology film.
Comment: Tron was a part of my childhood growing up in the 70's and 80's: a science fiction fantasy set in a perceived future where the mainframe computer would become a force to be reckoned with. The brilliant, albeit primitive, merging of photography and digital imagery, combined with the incredible musical score by Wendy Carlos (a deliberate hybrid of orchestral and electronic instrumentation - the soundtrack alone is worth purchasing), made this film a milestone and a must-have for any sci-fi lover.

End of line.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Tron is Great
Comment: Received the movie in excellent condition. I've played it several times on my DVD and the features are all I've hoped for and more.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: great for scifi collectors
Comment: It is one of the first (if not the first) movie that used computers in making the movie.

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