TRON (1982)
Summer beginning earlier this month means the blockbuster season is heating up. Although I wasn’t alive to experience them in theaters, the Summer of ‘82’s sci-fi movie lineup is legendary, marking E.T, THE THING and BLADE RUNNER debuts. One film of them all perfectly captures the season’s vibe: the sci-fi classic TRON (1982). TRON has walked a fine line between being groundbreaking and enjoying cult film status since that Summer.
TRON follows computer programmer Kevin Flynn’s (Jeff Bridges) adventures when he’s zapped into a strange computer world after attempting to prove ENCOM CEO Ed Dillinger (David Warner) stole his ideas. In The Grid, Flynn helps computer programs Tron (Bruce Boxleitner), Ram (Dan Shor) and Yori (Cindy Morgan) in their fight against fellow programs Sark and the Master Control Program (both Warner).
The visuals and dialogue date TRON the more I’ve revisited it, but still add to its charm. Bridges and Warner easily stand out among the cast, with the former’s charisma making him likeable as Flynn. Warner’s multiple roles as Dillinger, Sark and the MCP impressively generate menace.
Since TRON focuses on the real and digital worlds, let’s jump into The Grid to explore the film’s impact across storytelling and on arcade culture.
INTO THE GRID
While many movies follow the same hero’s journey narrative, TRON is a sci-fi reimagining of the fantasy world narrative 1939’s THE WIZARD OF OZ popularized. Both films follow an audience surrogate protagonist, who after beefing with an older individual in the real world, enters a fantastical dimension where they defeat an evil being and return to their reality. Nearly every character from the former is equivalent to a character from the latter: Flynn, Sark and the Master Control Program are Dorothy, The Wicked Witch of the West, and The Wizard in THE WIZARD OF OZ. TRON has the same actors who play the hero’s real world colleagues portray the fantastical characters he later meets.
Besides the different genres, Flynn’s messianic presence in The Grid and its exploration of The Grid’s connection to our reality differentiate TRON from THE WIZARD OF OZ. Later films like READY PLAYER ONE also retell a familiar story through a sci-fi lens, but prefer to nostalgically look to the past than engage in any meaningful commentary on technology's future. To TRON’s credit, its very familiar plot is an excuse to show off the awesome special effects.
As movies and television series prioritize realism and muted colors in the new millennium, TRON’s digital presentation and vibrant colors feel distinctive among 1982’s other sci-fi films. It’s insanity to imagine the filmmakers extensive use of backlit animation didn’t get them any awards recognition. Famed French artist Moebius designed The Grid’s elaborate sets and costumes, aging much better than those in films like THE LAWNMOWER MAN. Zapping out of The Grid, a lot of effort went into making TRON’s real world environment just as enthralling.
A JOURNEY INSIDE FLYNN’S ARCADE
Lisberger’s script and production designer Dean Edward Mitzner’s efforts make TRON a time capsule of late ‘70s and early ‘80s video game culture. ENCOM’s video game ventures suggest it's an Atari stand-in and Japan’s influence on the video game industry is never brought up. The set design for rooms in ENCOM’s headquarters includes rows of supercomputers and hard drives everywhere. However, ENCOM’s headquarters isn’t the most quintessentially ‘80s set design in the entire film.
Due to its booming music, arrays of iconic arcade games and enthusiastic crowds, the mise en scène at Flynn’s Arcade is more of a fantasy today than The Grid itself, inspiring so many real arcades in South Florida and Chicago. There’s even one in Margate, FL named Flynn’s Arcade. It's no understatement these arcades exist to recreate the ‘80s-drenched atmosphere. Besides sometimes featuring the Tron arcade game, these places also display the film’s promotional material and play rock music. When I recently visited Flynn’s Arcade’s filming location at Culver City, CA, it disappointed me to see it’s now a restaurant and not an arcade.
Luckily, TRON’s real world presence wasn’t the final word on its longevity.
TRON STILL FIGHTS FOR THE USERS
While it’s the Summer of ‘82’s most successful film, TRON’s visual identity stands out among them. Side note: A lot of that summer’s sci-fi movies delve into humanity’s relationship with other lifeforms beyond our world. The influence of directors Steven Spielberg’s and George Lucas’s fixation on aliens may be responsible for this theme. Just like BLADE RUNNER and THE THING got new installments in the 2010s, Disney eventually greenlit a sequel to TRON.
Indeed, TRON receiving one of the earliest modern legacy sequels in 2010’s TRON: LEGACY is a testament to the film’s popularity. I got really fixated on TRON: LEGACY as a 12-year-old in 2010, owning the soundtrack and its “Derezzed” version on CD. Just like the original did for the ‘80s, the film should’ve commented more on the 2010s’ technology, outside of using CGI to make The Grid seem grander.
After 15 long years, TRON: ARES coming out heralds the franchise’s return to the big screen this October. Between lead actor Jared Leto’s problematic presence, director Joachim Ronning’s spotty resume, and releasing not long before PREDATOR: BADLANDS and AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, the film’s chances of success look very bleak. Based on composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score for CHALLENGERS, it’s likely their score will be fantastic regardless.
Since it's an inevitable tie-in to TRON: ARES’ release, I’m anticipating TRON’s debut on 4K Blu Ray someday. Ultimately, TRON represents a high point for ‘80s Summer blockbuster filmmaking.
