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Tron Legacy: 5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Review

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There's a lot of Tron on this Blu-ray release.


Tron fans can now watch the original and sequel, Tron Legacy, at home in high definition on Blu-ray. If  you've been thinking about adding these movies to your collection, you have several options to choose from. I got my hands on the whopping five-disc collection. What you get is Tron Legacy in Blu-ray 3D, Tron Legacy in Blu-ray 2D, a DVD version of Tron Legacy, digital copy as well as the classic Tron special edition on Blu-ray. That sure is a lot of Tron.    
I began by watching the classic Tron movie. I'm pretty sure I haven't watched it since it first came out in 1982. How does it hold up? Not very well. It has a good story and of course it's what set everything up for Tron Legacy. 


I compared the Blu-ray the 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition. There is quite a difference. You have to keep in mind that it was made in the early 80s. Yes it does have cheesy graphics and animations. The movie has been digitally restored and has enhanced high-definition sound. But it might be a little hard for some to watch. 
 == TEASER ==
The original Tron starred Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner and Cindy Morgan. When Bridges' character, Flynn, hacks into the computer mainframe where he used to work (because the guy running it ripped his ideas off), he gets transported into a digital world and has to fight for his life. There is  a valid eplanation as how he gets there. For its time, it was a groundbreaking idea. This was before computers were common and the internet was far from being created. If you can handle the 80s graphics and can sit through some slow scenes, it's worth checking out, especially if you've seen Tron Legacy. This way you get an idea of how far it's all come. 

There are some new Special Features included. With Tron Phenomenon, you get feature close to ten minutes looking back at the franchise. There's insight from actors Bridges, Boxleitner, Olivia Wilde as well as the new writers. There's a Photo Tronology feature, Audio commentary and the original DVD features that include Development, Digital Imagery, Deleted Scenes, Making of, etc.

As for Tron Legacy, I never made it to theaters to watch the film. I wanted to but it just never happened. I had wondered how there could be such a drastic change in the look of the digital world. Of course there is an explanation that makes perfect sense. There were some really nice visuals but the world almost felt a little confined. We're expected to believe Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) gets transported to the digital world of Tron. It's a vast world but we only see a few locations. 

Backing up a little in terms of the story, the basic premise is Kevin Flynn disappeared years ago and Kevin goes in search of him after receiving a mysterious message, seemingly from his father. That's all fine but I was a little bothered at how quickly he adapted to the deadly games in the world of Tron. Sure he had spent years doing different things that could be seen as some sort of training for this world but it felt like a stretch. Running at two hours and five minutes, I have to admit I started getting bored now and then. It was a good movie with very nice visuals.

The big special feature is a short called The Next Day: Flynn Lives Revealed. Someone has started a movement on the internet about lost creator Kevin Flynn being alive. There is also Disney Second Screen. This requires you to download an app to your iPad or laptop and you can insight into the movie and digital models by syncing with the movie and it doesn't interrupt what you're watching. You get a first look at Tron: Uprising, the Disney XD animated series as well as Launching the Legacy, Visualizing Tron, Installing the cast, Disc Roars (showing how they recorded crowd applauding and chanting at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010) and a music video for "Derezzed" by Daft Punk.

I didn't get a chance to check out the Blu-ray 3D version but I believe my neighbor considering buying one. That means I'll have to invite myself over and bring along the disc.

Growing up in the 80s and going to the arcades to play games, Tron held a special place for me. The movies are a trip and the Blu-ray presentation is absolutely amazing. The sound and audio serve as a reminder why I simply love my Blu-ray player. This collection is almost overwhelming with all the different versions of the same film. If you don't have a 3D television, there is also a non-3D Blu-ray/Classic Tron combo you can pick up. The movie may not appeal to everyone but if you're into video games and adventure filled visuals accompanied by some great music, you'll want to check Tron Legacy out. If you've seen it already, the Blu-ray presentation and special features makes this worthy of being part of your personal collection. The original Tron might not be a movie you'd watch over and over but is definitely worth checking out if you haven't so you get a full understanding of the evolution of Tron.
Filed under:
Tron
Kevin Flynn
Sam Flynn
Quorra
Tron Legacy
32 Comments
Posted by Stakes

The internet was around in the 70, unless this movie came out in the 60s, the internet was not, in any way, far from being created. 

Posted by Omertalvendetta
@stakes: It's safe to say a very small percentage of the world even knew what the internet was before 1990...
Posted by Stakes
@omertalvendetta: He said " and the internet was far from being created" not "not many knew of the internet before 1990"
Posted by Emperor Gonzo Noir
@stakes: Not the internet as we know it. Yes, it existed, but there wasn't really anything on it.
Posted by pikahyper

I just watched Tron for the first time the other day and it was painful to watch :P When it comes to video game movies I'll take The Wizard over Tron any day. The recent Marvel Tron comic was pretty decent and I should be seeing Legacy on Tuesday :D

Moderator Online
Posted by Omertalvendetta
@stakes: To pinpoint a specific statement like that just seems kind of dickish, that's all.  I mean, out of that entire article, the best comment you could produce was to specifically target what, about eight words.  I noticed you're new around here, that's certainly not the way to make friends.  I don't mean to attack you in any way, shape or form, but it just amazes me when people attempt to produce constructive criticism and they kind of make themselves look foolish.  Just my two cents, bro.  
Edited by Omertalvendetta

On another note, me and my buddies watched the original Tron before we went to the theater to watch the sequel, and it was painful to watch.  Almost made me not want to go watch the sequel, but the previews for Legacy  looked pretty cool.  I can't say I didn't like it, one I'd definitely purchase in Blu-Ray to fully enjoy some of those visual effects I experienced in the theater.  

Edited by Stakes
@Emperor Gonzo Noir: I agree, but also, it wasn't far from being created in any way. I think the public had access to it since the 70s. 

@omertalvendetta: I would say calling me dickish is a way of attacking me in one shape, form or as you might say way. I wasn't trying to create constructive criticism, I was just pointing out a factual error in this, whatever this is. 
Posted by Omertalvendetta
@stakes: If the shoe fits...
Posted by Stakes
@omertalvendetta: I don't think that phrase really applies here, since you already directly called me dickish. That's used for much more subtle personal attacks. Subtle and indirect. 
Posted by Emperor Gonzo Noir
@pikahyper: I love the power glove, it's so bad.
Posted by pikahyper
@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:
" @pikahyper: I love the power glove, it's so bad. "
That whole scene gives me a video game boner, I still have an original working power glove and two working NES consoles :D
Moderator Online
Posted by theMockingNoob

If anyone is considering buying the special packaging, I would like to point out that it's rather cheap in construction, and the disk are just sort of stacked on top of each other, which might make them somewhat scratch prone. Both do come up to the same price on Amazon though, even still, I did cancel my order for the special one after I saw it in person and went for the standard 5 disk packaging. Both come with the same, cool, lithograph. 

Posted by Dark Cell

Nice review, Awesome film! didnt really like the original - but I loved Legacy.
Posted by Grim

 i enjoyed the old Tron... when i was wide awake and vibing on the 80's tunes, and the Tron levels of the Kingdom Hearts games where my favorites. The fun little fact about Tron is that most of the people who loved it back in the day are the people who currently shape the technological future. The number of nights i fell asleep trying to watch it kinda tell me im not making any revolutionary tech in my lifetime....

@stakes: the internet was an "idea" in the60's, a handful of computers connected for short periods of times in the 70s, it was technically created in the 80's, and built into the thing we normal people know now in the mid-90's. 10 years its far from being created when its something you use. If i said you had to wait 10 years for a hovercar, you wouldnt hold your breath....

@omertalvendetta: if your gonna play the bigger man card, stay consistent. words like "Dickish" take the nice guy air you were trying to project away, and then everyone confused by your intentions, and pretty soon no one trusts you because everyone on the internet is paranoid.... so yeah.
 

Posted by NightFang

Nice review but i'll, probably rent it.  

Posted by They Killed Cap!
@pikahyper:

Classic Tron is soooooo good I feel bad for you.
Posted by shawn87

saw it in 3D in the theater...wasn't feeling it that much

Posted by Caligula
Tron Legacy: Charlie Sheen Winning!
Tron Classic: Not so Much :(
Posted by RedheadedAtrocitus

I sure do want this collection!

Posted by Mumbles

both movies were lame

Posted by Duo_forbidden

I enjoyed the classic movie, but I'm not sure about Legacy. I haven't watched it yet. I want to before I decide if I want to save up and get this.

Posted by Doctor!!!!!

Daft PUNK SOUNDTRACK WAS WORTH IT!
Posted by ntb1124

5 discs of Tron?  No thanks, I liked the new movie, but I can barely remember the old movie, it always came on TBS or TNT and I would watch pieces of it, guess I need to go DL it from Itunes and watch it, but I can never justify buying a 5 disc set of any movie franchise that is not at least 5 movies in total.

Posted by Trodorne
@Doctor!!!!! said:
" Daft PUNK SOUNDTRACK WAS WORTH IT! "
i agree
Posted by Eyz

I already have Tron on DVD, so I'll pass on this mega-gigantic epic collector box! :P
(no, I don't like to own the same thing twice..)

Edited by Comiclove5

This is a great movie even better in Blu-Ray 3D.

Posted by xVikkix

blu ray 2 expensive

Posted by jakob187

I can agree with others in saying that watching the original Tron is painful, but I also have a fond love for that movie.  It's much harder for an audience nowadays to really watch that movie with the same awe and spectacle that we had when it was originally released.


As for Tron Legacy, I saw it twice in theatres.  Upon first viewing, the film was good.  Upon my second viewing, I started catching a lot of the allegories and metaphors, and it became thoroughly awesome.  The little touches they make in the details are something that gives the movie the ability to be watched repeatedly and find something new every time.

Sorry that it got boring on occasion.  I can say that the scene when Quorra is down and out being reprogrammed while Kevin and Sam are talking can drag a bit, but beyond that, the brilliant thing about Tron Legacy is that it never stops.  Everything is literally done within a time frame that has no skips in the timeline.  The minute that Sam arrives in Tron, it is constantly moving forward with the plot.  That's something that very few movies are capable of doing.

I would suggest giving it a second viewing.
Posted by THEBlaqueBasterd
@Grim: Grimson  totally killed it lol nice one g


©HammerNailHeadOnIt
Posted by HaloKing343

This movie was awesome. I saw it in 3D in the theater and It blew me away.
Posted by Iron_Lad

I saw this movie on my friend's new plasma 3D TV last weekend. It's pretty awesome.I had never watched a 3D movie on an HD television before. Now I want to get a 3D TV.

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