Tron

In preparation for the sequel, I finally got around to seeing the original “Tron”. I have heard about this film ever since “Toy Story” came out on DVD. In my opinion, “Tron” was the next film after “Star Wars” that furthered special effects. The Academy in the early 1980’s however did not allow the film’s special effects to be nominated because in their opinion, the extensive use of computer-generated images was “cheating”. This is one of the most tragic events in the history of the special effects. I admit the story is lacking but the purpose of the film is to provide eye candy and so what is possible with computers. It succeeded. Writer/Director Steven Lisberger appears to have spent more time on what we see rather than the story anyways. The film has the same spirit as “Fantasia” does in that this is an experimental film.

The film’s special effects appear to be far more advanced than anything else from that time. For the first time in many ways, actors are performing in a completely CGI-type world. This film was way ahead of its time and it is amazing that they were able to combine live action & CGI as well as they did for the time that this was made. The opening sequences are quite interesting as the audience experiences the special effects for the first time. I like a few story moments such as the exposition that Flynn lays out in his office. In this moment, the film has a goal, a hero and a villain. The lazer lab is quite a cool location to shoot in. Flynn’s disappearance is very well done special effects-wise as he gradually is computerized. Another good moment is when Flynn won’t kill his first opponent. I like the decision of having the programs played by their users in the real world. Jeff Bridges did a good job. His scenes in the real world were entertaining. David Warner, who later played Lovejoy on “Titanic”, was a good villain. I would have loved even more to see Peter O’Toole in that role however. I love how during filming, they had video games on the set for everyone to play. This to me is a great example of life imitating art and that idea tends to make movies great. It seems to me that the filming style of “Tron” was a predecessor to the experience of filming blue-screen movies or more appropriately the motion-capture films of today.

One thing that “Tron” does is make you see machines in a whole new way. The film is dated in the 80's and lacks the level of timelessness that "Back to the Future" has for example. Lisberger’s goal with this film was achieved in that he brought the idea of computer games to the movie screen world. I like how Roger Allers of Disney Renaissance fame worked in the pre-production of “Tron”. The film more than deserved its Oscars for costume design and sound. The thing I will most thank “Tron” for is its impact on a former Disney animator John Lasseter. He was working on “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” when he saw this film being made and he began to walk down a figurative path that led to “Toy Story” and other subsequent successes of his. “Tron” is the “Avatar” of 1982 because of its so-so story but amazing images.

3.5 Stars