Recent Review: Tron (Released: 9th July 1982)

"Do you really think the Users are still there?" 

A convincing argument could be made that 1982 is the greatest year in science-fiction cinema history. It saw the release of five classics: 'Blade Runner', 'The Thing', 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial', 'Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan' and finally 'Tron'. The most memorable project by writer/director Steven Lisberger, 'Tron' was decades ahead of it's time. Considered by many to be a dated, children's film; created solely as a vehicle for the cutting edge CGI effects, 'Tron' is in my opinion one of the most under-rated films in history. Hopefully with the release of 'Tron Legacy' this December, 'Tron' will continue to find a new, more appreciative audience.

'Tron' is the story of Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a renegade video-game designer who, in his attempt to prove ownership of stolen game designs, finds himself digitised by the Master Control Program (David Warner) and imprisoned inside a fantastical computer world. Therein he must compete in his own video-games against the rebellious programmes who oppose the dictatorship of the MCP. With their help he escapes the “game-grid” and journeys to erase the MCP and create a free system.



'Tron' looks like nothing you have ever seen on screen before. It takes the visuals of the early Atari arcade games and expands them into a 3D fantasy world. The use of lines and colour together with exceptional sound design results in one of the most fully realised film environments ever put on the screen. The iconic “Light-Cycle”, the piped costumes and the menacing 'Recogniser's are all beautiful and unique. The CG effects were pioneering, and are now the standard practice of modern science-fiction films.

The performances are entertaining, especially David Warner who juggles three distinct yet similar characters with ease. The charm, humour and pathos of Jeff Bridges give the film an emotional centre no amount of effects could achieve. His performance is not often appreciated, likely due to the lack of comparable roles in cinema at the time, but 28 years later his achievements can be clearly seen. It is not an easy task to lead a film acting against large amounts of blue-screen, and it is one many great actors have failed at in the effects-heavy blockbusters of recent years. (The entire cast of 'Star Wars: Episode 3' springs to mind...) The success of 'Tron' is a testament to the actors and the controlled direction of Lisberger.

As a script, the film is much more than the basic adventure tale it seems to be. It provides an interesting reflection and meditation on the limits of technology, religious faith and the powers of government. These concepts are not new, but they are implemented with just the right balance to stay interesting without overwhelming. 'Tron' is an original, beautiful, interesting film that deserves to be considered one of the very best films of the 1980's, and certainly one of the most distinctive works of science-fiction cinema ever made.

END OF LINE

 

*****
(UK Release: 21 October 1982)