Tron

Been wanting to watch this movie for quite a while, but never got around to it because of other distractions. Finally decided to watch it once and for all after Tron: Legacy reminded me to. Expected it to be a fun ride and it met my expectations plus a bit more.

Anyways, it was even more charming than Tron: Legacy, which was to be expected since this is from the wonderful ol’ 1980s. Really enjoyed looking at the oldtech and seeing all the 80s stuff, plus geez, Jeff Bridges was YOUNG back then. Same voice and better charisma, really quite charming as well. Liked his easygoingness in this more than in Legacy because well, in Legacy he was old, and old-looking men saying “Cool, dude” just isn’t that cool. Despite the oldtech, I was really quite impressed with the visuals here. Was very amazed by the 3DCG used here, because geez, they could really rival with some PS1 graphics…! That’s a whopping 12 years ahead of their time! Simply amazing. Also really liked how they rendered the Programs/characters inside the computer, very good effects even if many say that it doesn’t stand up to the test of time. I think it still looks very good and it was very creative and resourceful of them to be able to come up with it and execute it.

Really liked the cute conceptual/environmental/mechanical designs too, and halfway through the movie I wondered if Syd Mead took part in it. He did, and Moebius helped too. Geez, so nice that they participated :’)

AND SPEAKING OF AWESOME…They even had Ph.Ds working on this film, geez!!! I guess I don’t watch enough film credits and so I’ve never ever seen any PhDs being credited before, but that is just too awesome. Oh god synthavision!!!

Ah, I guess I should mention the actors too. Was good seeing Bridges so young and lively, and for some reason I think keep thinking that Bruce Boxleitner (Alan, Tron) looks strangely like a very very famous person, although he’s really not that famous of an actor. I also really really liked the looks of Lora/Yori, played by Cindy Morgan. Somehow I just find her very very very attractive?! I think it’s the hair, it reminds me of Asuka Langley for whatever reason (the way it’s tied back okay). Also was surprised that she had such a boring real name.

All in all, a good, charming, cute, fun, nice, and creative 80s movie. Doesn’t really surpass Legacy in depth, but it does surpass it in charm, oldtechness, and 80sness. 85/100

Oh, and I wanted to mention that I really enjoyed the real world scenes and the credits too. Some of my favourites (spoilers, obviously):
NICE DESK, DILLINGER
Not just for looks, I see
Okay, maybe it’s not such a nice desk after all.
Dammit Dillinger don’t make me steal your desk
Dammit Dillinger Don’t Make Me Steal Your Furniture
DAMMIT DILLINGER!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice password, I almost feel like using it
Cubicle Land (I can almost see Dilbert walking around the aisles)
Cubicle #5324
No sirree, no 1234567 for ENCOM.
Dunno, but this looks strangely nice

Ah, youth
Oh, youth
Ah, you- Oh, handheld

THAT’S RIGHT, thank Atari. Not Apple, though. No no no.
Mommy mommy I want the Tron OST on record

Tron: Legacy

Watched this not too long after watching Black Swan, was a very welcome change in mood. Wanted to watch it for the shiny costumes/design (haven’t watched the original yet, but working on it) and expected it to be predictable but fun. Tron: Legacy didn’t let me down on those expectations, and it was even a bit less predictable than I thought it would be!

The best thing about this movie was definitely the shininess of it. Those neon suits/bikes/everything…Really really well done, and the machine design was very appealing too. Right after watching it, I wanted to see if there was an artbook out for it, which there was. Unfortunately, reviews have told me that it’s missing quite a bit of the designs for the planes/whatdotheycallthemagain, and that there’s a large portion of screenshots from the movie. Oh well, might get it in the future anyways.

Another good thing about this was the music. Super suitable that they got Daft Punk. Oh, and another good thing was that there was no forced romance, I thought I saw that coming a lightyear away, but surprisingly, Tron: Legacy would have none of that. Great, wonderful, super good call. Made me like Quorra THAT much more, and she was already quite a good character! Acts unforcibly cute (“You know Jules Verne?! *eyes light up*), has an awesome haircut, and looks nice and sleeeeeek (like everyone else).

What was less good was the cast performance, which was just okay. Unfortunately notably, I thought Bridges’ acting here was very dull, despite the attempt to colour his lines with words young’uns use (“Radical, man”), and not that I have ever seen him in anything else before. (YES I KNOW, TRUE GRIT.)

But yeah, enjoyable and beautiful movie, even if it’s nothing deep. 80/100