Twenty-five years ago, this was the most anticipated movie of 1982 for me. Sure Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan turned out to be immensely better, but that flick didn’t have the hype or momentum. Tron was going to be Disney’s most daring film after The Black Hole with its computer graphics as a co-star to the more famous Jeff Bridges. Khan was more of an apology for the 1979 movie.
While I was recently sick, I watched the 20th anniversary copy Somara bought for me as a gift because it’s the 25th anniversary of its debut (I think I’ll try to find a couple more films hitting this landmark). Computer-based animation has improved dramatically yet the light cycles, tanks, Sark’s cruiser, etc. remain pretty impressive. The acting, plot and computer terms remain rather comical because they’re as mediocre as they are dated; the Internet was unknown to most, processing power was only starting to hit the MegaHertz range, Bridges and Warner are chewing the scenery and the last remnants of Seventies fashion were on their way out. I can’t help myself from genuinely enjoying it, not only for nostalgic reasons but how it remains a technical marvel.
Rumors have been going on about a remake or continuation. Even imdb.com gives a year, 2010. Disney is likely to forge ahead on a remake inevitably, just without Lindsay Lohan this time (see The Parent Trap or Freaky Friday). I hope they’re untrue, cheesy or not, it’s best to leave an “old” movie alone.
I think I will put this on a special shelf for the “evolution of computer-graphics” DVDs alongside all the Pixar flicks we have and maybe the rare non-Pixar ones that don’t insult my intelligence. Then maybe show it to the kids in my life for a marathon of progression. Worst case scenario is they understand all the jokes referenced from it in South Park, the Simpsons and every other animated comedy out today.