TRON (1982)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Matheus C

  
  It plays like an early 1980s EPCOT Center ride: visionary in an innocent way, charmingly retro, visually stunning in parts but also overstays its welcome and becomes an unexciting bore.

• Eric A

  
  I'm sure this movie was awesome and groundbreaking in 1982, but having seen it in 2010 right before the new one, it seems very cheesy. Who knows, in 30 years the new Tron might look cheesy? All in all though, good idea for a movie and some descent acting.

• Jacob E

  
  Yeah... This movie... Really isn't that good. Like, at all. It doesn't even really have the heart that some 80s films manage to exist from (like "Labyrinth"). The only thing this film has going for it are the special effects. The effects were revolutionary at the… More
  Yeah... This movie... Really isn't that good. Like, at all. It doesn't even really have the heart that some 80s films manage to exist from (like "Labyrinth"). The only thing this film has going for it are the special effects. The effects were revolutionary at the time, but, well... I know the history of special effects like the back of my hand (never understood that expression, why would you KNOW the back of your hand, oh well, beside the point) and there is no denying how insanely important this film is. It features the first fully computer animated 3D sequences in a feature film, a huge landmark. But no matter how good "King Kong" (1933) looked back then, it still hasn't aged well, and Tron is NOT an exception. The once revolutionary effects have as much power as a screensaver (actually, stare at your computer's screen saver while listening to 80s synth music might be indistinguishable from the actual movie...). I guess what I'm trying to say is that this film survives exclusively on nostalgia, but it is worth seeing at least once, but only as a landmark. And nothing else.

• Alexander D

  
  TRON was amazing.

• Mike S

  
  Looks really dated by now, but considering it was made in 1982, the special effects are quite impressive for their time. I'm sure audiences back then were just as amazed by its visuals as we are currently by its sequel. This has a somewhat better script, but overall I like Legacy… More
  Looks really dated by now, but considering it was made in 1982, the special effects are quite impressive for their time. I'm sure audiences back then were just as amazed by its visuals as we are currently by its sequel. This has a somewhat better script, but overall I like Legacy more. Mainly because of its amazing music, which the original lacks. Definitely worth checking out though, if you're interested to know how it all began. And Jeff Bridges is as cool as ever.

• Melvin W

  
  Tron: "My User has information that could... that could make this a free system again! No, really! You'd have programs lined up just to use this place, and no MCP looking over your shoulder." Tron is a very cool sic-fi film that features some fun special effects. For… More
  Tron: "My User has information that could... that could make this a free system again! No, really! You'd have programs lined up just to use this place, and no MCP looking over your shoulder." Tron is a very cool sic-fi film that features some fun special effects. For the time, they were some of the most impressive effects used and I still like how they hold up today. The plot is for the most part, not that important, but it is still there. It's a fun story and I never found a dull moment come across in the movie. Jeff Bridges is great in the lead role as Flynn. Tron was a lot better than I expected it to be and I look forward to seeing the new one.

• Brad W

  
  Im sure it was a surprise to everyone that saw it, on how creative it is, and how well they made it.

• Manu G

  
  I thought this movie was pretty good and seeing that it was made at 1982 the visual effects were decent enough to pull it off. The story is good and we have a young Jeff Bridges owning everyone in this movie. It has some very important facts related with Tron Legacy which are key to… More
  I thought this movie was pretty good and seeing that it was made at 1982 the visual effects were decent enough to pull it off. The story is good and we have a young Jeff Bridges owning everyone in this movie. It has some very important facts related with Tron Legacy which are key to understand the new movie so don't miss it. Programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has been swindled. His former colleague Ed Dillinger (David Warner) stole the ideas for several popular arcade games from Flynn. Flynn is sure that if he can get inside his old company, he can successfully crack the system and find the stolen code -- proving that it's his. His plan goes well at first. With help from Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora (Cindy Morgan), he gets into the company, and starts poking around the computer system. But he has not counted on Dillinger's powerful artificial intelligence, the Master Control Program (MCP). The MCP is self-aware, and instantly realizes what Flynn is up to. Rather than see his human patron ruined, the MCP uses an experimental laser to "digitize" Flynn, turning him into a computer file, which is then in at his mercy. All of the programs in the System appear to be humans, with the faces of their creators and glowing lines on their unisex costumes. SARK, a control program (who looks like Dillinger) is tasked with eliminating Flynn. The MCP wants Flynn to be run through a series of game programs, where he will be "de-res'd" (deleted) upon being defeated. Flynn, a pretty good video game player, survives his first challenge. He is imprisoned with TRON, a monitoring program Alan Bradley wrote, but that the MCP keeps safely locked away. Their next challenge gives them an opportunity to escape, and after defeating their MCP-allied opponents, they flee on "light-cycles." Flynn gradually learns that as a programmer, he has magic powers in this world. He is able to resurrect dying programs, rebuild broken vehicles, etc. Eventually, he decides to confront the MCP directly and heads toward the center of the system. In a climactic confrontation, Flynn and TRON assault the MCP and ultimately defeat it. At this point, the entire system comes alive, with the MCP's various security measures vanishing. Flynn is rematerialized, and TRON uncovers Dillinger's deceit. Dillinger is unseated from his high position, and Flynn takes his place.

• Zach B

  
  Back when it first came out into theatres, TRON was unlike anything that was ever seen. Watching it now, it feels like taking the ultimate nostalgia trip to the eighties when computers were starting to get huge due to the advent of video games. This is a film that did not need a good… More
  Back when it first came out into theatres, TRON was unlike anything that was ever seen. Watching it now, it feels like taking the ultimate nostalgia trip to the eighties when computers were starting to get huge due to the advent of video games. This is a film that did not need a good narrative to tell itâ(TM)s story, but one is given and when properly decoded, it predicts the future of computers and inspires some of the grandest films that have been released in recent memory. Now, the direction of the film is, shockingly good for the time and the way this film was made. The pacing is kept up for the majority of the time, the script is also tight for the majority of the time, and you start to really care about these characters. The only problem is that they give us this world that is beautiful to stare at, but they do not go into all the other little details. I, personally, would have liked if they would have taken some more time to explore this world, really get into the magic that is behind everything. As I said before, this film did not need great acting to make this film as wonderful as it is. But, sense this film does have great acting, it just adds to the grandness. The actors really surprise me by how well they acted in front of a blue screen. Why? Because this was the first film to use excessive amounts of blue screen for the film and they all done a good job acting like there was something there. Now, future films would have been much better if inspiring actors learned from this film. Like the video games that inspired this film, the movieâ(TM)s score has the qualities of a video game soundtrack and, it just works. It works when they are in the real world. It works when Flynn (Bridges) is in the Space Paranoids. It just works. Now, overall, this is a film that does show the birth of computer films, shows the first attempt to use a large amount of CGI in film, and just a revolutionary film that I recommend to anyone except those that think if a film does not have perfect effects then it is not good. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

• Eric S

  
  I caught some of this one on cable the other night after not seeing it in many years, and it does indeed have a charm to it. The effects seem somewhat animated which is strange but interesting. It came out in '82, so we must take that into account Jeff Bridges stars as Flynn who… More
  I caught some of this one on cable the other night after not seeing it in many years, and it does indeed have a charm to it. The effects seem somewhat animated which is strange but interesting. It came out in '82, so we must take that into account Jeff Bridges stars as Flynn who hacks into the mainframe of his ex-employer's system to prove that his work has been stolen by another executive. Ultimately, he gets pulled into a computerized world where he joins computer gladiator-esque characters on the grid where they must do battle with the MCP(Master Control Program) to actually decide the fate of the electronic and real world. Have I lost you? lol The "light cycle" sequences are quite unique and I'd say the most memorable thing to me about the world of Tron. If you've seen "Tron Legacy", there can be no comparison made with the effects because it's a whole other thing. But like I said, time and place. What I did not recall is how good the soundtrack is which was made by Wendy Carlos who is best known for their work on Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" and "A Clockwork Orange". This film is dated without question, but definitely worth seeing if you have the slightest interest in it because it is somewhat of a classic. And yes, that is the girl from "Caddyshack" wearing the modified Cooper Ice Hockey helmet with the accompanying glow in the dark apparel.

• Carlos M

  
  The dazzling visuals may have been a unique experience when this film came out, boasting highly advanced computerized effects for the '80s. However, nothing saves the script from being a ridiculous, tiresome mess, with an uninteresting shred of story that is painful to sit… More
  The dazzling visuals may have been a unique experience when this film came out, boasting highly advanced computerized effects for the '80s. However, nothing saves the script from being a ridiculous, tiresome mess, with an uninteresting shred of story that is painful to sit through.

• danny d

  
  very good sci fi

• AJ V

  
  This is one of Disney's best films of the 80s, it's not totally a kids movie, it's one anyone can enjoy if you love sci-fi. The special effects were state of the art, and still look very cool today, and the story is good too. I highly recommend this movie.

• Bently L

  
  Easily one of the greatest films ever produced by Disney. The visuals is what everyone go gaga for this film but how good is everything else? "Tron" tells the story of Kevin Flynn, a ex-employee of the software company, ENCOM. After ending his job, he went on to become a… More
  Easily one of the greatest films ever produced by Disney. The visuals is what everyone go gaga for this film but how good is everything else? "Tron" tells the story of Kevin Flynn, a ex-employee of the software company, ENCOM. After ending his job, he went on to become a video game designer and now owns an arcade. One day, he is asked by his old chum, Alan Bradley, to come back to the ENCOM headquarter and hack into a computer to shut down the company's Master Control Program. While hacking, the MCP sends Kevin into the computer. In order to escape, he must compete in video game-style games like disk wars and lightcycle races. "Tron" has a pretty good premise but its the visuals that are the best part of the film. This came out in 1982 and was the first film to use computer animation. For a film released in '82, the effects are amazing. They can be a little silly at some points but there is no way you're not going to be impressed. The acting is pretty good. Jeff Bridges' performance as Kevin Flynn is great. Dan Shor is awesome as Ram! This is a movie that you either love or loathe. This movie is not for everyone. It'll bore the heck out of a child of age four. But if you're an avid video game player or a computer geek, you'll love "Tron"! This dosen't have the best story or acting but "Tron" is all about the visuals! This film has made an impact on cinema. Without "Tron", there would be no Pixar. Convinced? You should see this film! It is totally worth the watch. "He fights for the users." Listen to the lyircs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIMb3hGzWW8

• Jeff "

  
  I had been looking for this film for sometime, every store I went to was sold out. I was successful to buy it at an HMV. I had heard good things about this film, and I was pleasantly surprised and I loved it so much that I watched it a second time the next day :) What you have with… More
  I had been looking for this film for sometime, every store I went to was sold out. I was successful to buy it at an HMV. I had heard good things about this film, and I was pleasantly surprised and I loved it so much that I watched it a second time the next day :) What you have with TRON is an awesome, and dazzling special effects thrill ride. The light cycle sequence is very thrilling. The film itself is a lot of fun to watch and I enjoyed Jeff Bridges in the role of Kevin Flynn. David Warmer was also great as the villain. This was the Avatar and the Matrix of it's day, though some people may feel turned off by the fact it's produced by Disney, and viewed as a "kids" film, this film still is a great film viewing experience, don't get turned away because it's a "kids" film, TRON is a film for all ages to enjoy in my opinion. A terrific film with action, drama, romance and thrills, it's no wonder that TRON is a milestone in cinematic history. Theye are so many thrilling scenes in this film such as the unforgettable light cycle sequence, which is the high point of the film. TRON has lasted the test of time, sure the effects look dated, but still they're pretty cool considering this was made in 1982. TRON over the years has been hailed as a milestone in computer generated imagery and the film is the first to employ such computer generated graphics. Whatever your opinions of TRON, the film revolutionized the film industry forever and remains a dazzling spectacle nearly 30 years after it's initial release. TRON is the type of film that will entertain children as much as adults, TRON is a unique film and a spectacle for the eyes a very good film that has spawned an equally Thrilling sequel.

• Steven C

  
  What can you even say about "Tron"? It makes no sense what-so-ever and it pioneered mindless special effects filled entertainment. It has a goofy charm and the effects are seriously dated but fun to watch in retrospect. It's not a good film by any stretch of the… More
  What can you even say about "Tron"? It makes no sense what-so-ever and it pioneered mindless special effects filled entertainment. It has a goofy charm and the effects are seriously dated but fun to watch in retrospect. It's not a good film by any stretch of the imagination, but it has it's nostalgic charms.

• c0up  

  
  'Tron'. I can't even imagine how visually mind-blowing it must have been at the time, but beyond that, a story with some really BIG concepts

• Cassandra M

  
  More than just reminiscent of Lang's Metropolis, Tron is a beautiful, well made exercise from a main stream producer (Disney) which reminds us of the time before Jurassic Park and Episode One where creative skill was left to human perception rather than a computer's… More
  More than just reminiscent of Lang's Metropolis, Tron is a beautiful, well made exercise from a main stream producer (Disney) which reminds us of the time before Jurassic Park and Episode One where creative skill was left to human perception rather than a computer's digitally correct ideal. Owing more to the human colourists than the now outdated computer effects, this film is evidence - similar in a way to Kubric's pre-Moon landing, pre-CGI 2001 - to the creative and more sensory-pleasing abilities of the human artist over soul-less programmers, from a time before when a box would 'parse' it all for you. It's difficult to express how high-powered computers fail to create an image that is satisfactory to the human eye; there is always something that rings false about it. Tron was created in a period of wire diagrams being the best you could coax from a computer; anything else was added by human hand. A film that makes you nostalgic for the time when Disney made films that were accessible for all, almost Bakshi-like in its disregard for the mainstream. There is struggle against adversity; there is an oppressive, evil regime; there are two heroes who survive despite all odds; and there is love conquering all (a token woman is included as love interest. Ironically like the IT industry). The naive use of technical jargon merely adds to the "computer program" style setting and this film is ideally suited for today's retro-chic society. As a Disney film this is aimed predominantly at children, so if you fail to understand the plot then I would recommend sticking to the Lion King or some other pabulum. This is a great film - watch it.

• KJ P

  
  A thrill-world brought to life. The visuals are obviously dated, but for it's time, they are fantastic, and that same word can almost be used for the film. The story could have been told a little better, but it was a great turnout. I am in love with the entire Tron video game… More
  A thrill-world brought to life. The visuals are obviously dated, but for it's time, they are fantastic, and that same word can almost be used for the film. The story could have been told a little better, but it was a great turnout. I am in love with the entire Tron video game world, and I don't think I will ever turn away. Tron is Great!

• Chris W

  
  For it's time, this movie was start-of-the-art when it came to the visual effects. nowadays...not so much. However, despite the dated nature of things, this still reeks to high heaven of high artistic quaity and historical importance, and, for that, it gets high marks and a big… More
  For it's time, this movie was start-of-the-art when it came to the visual effects. nowadays...not so much. However, despite the dated nature of things, this still reeks to high heaven of high artistic quaity and historical importance, and, for that, it gets high marks and a big recommendation. I really liked, but did not love this, so I wish there was some way I could clearly give it 4 and1/4 stars since 4.5 seems a bit too high. Regardless of the effects, this is just a really fun and imaginative story. It's been done to death since 1982, but that doesn't mean that one of the originators fails to still be entertaining and a blast to watch. The fact that this film is quite dated is a testament to its power- it paved the way for all that came after it, so without this, we wouldn't have badass stuff like The Matrix among countless others. I liked the look of the digital world, and how nothing else quite has the same sort of specific look on display here/ This movie is really rather odd. It is weird and doesn't make a whole lot of sense, yet its surprisingly watchable and easy to follow. It can be treated at face value alone, or you could read into it like a madan, picking out all sorts of deep themes and subtext. I recommend doing a little bit of both. The music, like the visuals, is very pioneering and unique, even if it's since been eclipsed by the stuff that it made possible. The cast and their performances are terrific. This is one of Bridges' most well known roles (for some people), but it's not his best. However, Flynn actually does have some in common with the role that is Bridge's best (The Dude). They aren't too terribly far removed from one another in attitude. This is a cult classic that's definitely not for all tastes, but worth seeing by everyone regardless just because this is such an odd and unique and cool film.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings