TRON

In Steven Lisberger's $21 million 1982 paean to computers and video games, Jeff Bridges stars as programming genius Kevin Flynn, whose designs for a series of video games are stolen by corporate villain Dillinger (David Warner). When Flynn breaks into the main computer in an effort to call up incriminating data on Dillinger, he learns that it's not nice to fool with the Master Control Program when the MCP "zaps" him into the guts of the computer. Here, Flynn, who is now a program (albeit wearing a glowing, high-tech jumpsuit) links up with Ram (Dan Shor), Tron (Bruce Boxleitner), and Yori (Cindy Morgan) as they follow the illuminated yellow integrated circuit road (so to speak) toward the heart of the MCP. On a narrative level, TRON kind of bytes (choose your own bad techno-pun), but the film's place in cinematic history is not based on one-dimensional characters or less-than-sparkling dialogue. Rather, TRON is notable for being one of the first feature films to rely extensively on integral computer-generated special effects. After releasing a bare bones version in 1988, Disney has gone the extra bit here with this loaded double-disc effort featuring a reasonably sharp, richly colorful transfer and upgraded Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Chief among the many extras are: a fine audio commentary with Lisberger and others; a new 90-minute "making of" documentary with all-new interviews with Lisberger, Bridges, Shor, Boxleitner, Morgan, Barnard Hughes and others; a deleted quasi love scene with Boxleitner and Morgan; and a slew of old and new mini-docs and other goodies in submenu categories on development, digital imaging, music, storyboards, design and publicity. And--roll over Steve Jobs--there's even word on a possible TRON, V2.0! Recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 29, 2011—Walt Disney, 2 discs, 96 min., PG, $39.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1982's TRON features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. DVD extras carried over from previous releases include a “making-of” documentary (88 min.), production segments on development, digital imagery, music, publicity, design, and storyboards with various brief featurettes and galleries (48 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), additional photo galleries, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are audio commentary (with director Steven Lisberger, producer Donald Kushner, associate producer Harrison Ellenshaw, and visual effects supervisor Richard Taylor), a “Photo Tronology” with Lisberger (17 min.), “The TRON Phenomenon” on pop culture impacts (10 min.), and a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a minor cult classic makes a fine debut on Blu-ray.]