TRON

1982

This movie is one of those movies that I could never recommend to my friends (see in my manifesto page I talk about how I realized I need friends who want to watch things older than 1997), but I myself love this movie. Do I think it is objectively and critically good?.... perhaps not, but I do enjoy watching it and appreciating the craft that went into it. Something about.. the action scenes, or music perhaps, I think falls short makes this film feel a liiittle boring. One day I want to settle down and really write down notes of what I think this film did right, what I think it struggled with. I wanted to compare this movie to the original Star Wars trilogy since it came out around the same time, but apparently even those moves got better with age due to George Lucas fiddling with them every time they got released, so it would be fun to see this film re-edited. In the meantime, at least we have Corridor Crew remaking the light cycle scene with modern technology.

One reason why I do love this movie however, is, of course, the 80s aesthetics. In the outside world, we have Dillinger's office, the industrial lab, the neon lights on Flynn's arcade. I love how 70s Alan Bradley looks. And inside the computer we have what is arguably the birth (at the very least, influence) of what we today call the Outrun Aesthetic.

I recently watched Babylon 5 for the first time (great show, I'll talk about it in my Contempo-Eclectic shrine), so I have even more appreciation for Bruce Boxleitner. I also think its funny Peter Jurasik is also in this movie, he plays a small role of a program that Sark attempts to coerce Flynn into killing.

Because Tron (1982) was featured as an explorable world in the video game Kingdom hearts II, and because said video game got an illustrated manga, manga tron does exist and he is everything.

Deleted Scene | Making-of documentary
I want Richard Taylor's tron hat sooo bad (last images), especially the white version. Either I will commission an embroidery artist, or I will learn the craft myself.

Pixels by Iconfactory:

Pixels by Dave Brasgalla:

Tron

Legacy

I love this fucking movie. But I honestly don't believe I saw it theaters. The very latest I watched it would have been around 2012 when Kingdom Hearts 3D, a video game from a series that features various Disney titles, came out with Tron Legacy included.

When I did watch it though, I do remember how much it captured my imagination. So many different situations I just needed to listen to Tron Legacy's soundtrack: When I used to code Tumblr themes for people to use, practicing how fast I could type, or when I was in the back seat of the car on late drive outs pretending I was in the Grid, sitting in offices when the lights are low pretending I was at Encom tower. Just so many different scenarios made me feel almost magical when I was listening to this sound track. Especially if it was not just dark, but a little on the chilly side, that always makes me feel like I'm in the Grid. The Grid looks fucking cold to me LOL.

I always knew this movie had great cinematography, but I rewatched it again in July 2025, and like... God damn this movie just has such creative and thought out shots. I really love when a director isn't satisfied with the easy, upfront way to shoot something, but really thinks "how can I make this shot poster worthy." its actually incredible how many great shots there are in it.

Something else I appreciate about Legacy is the aesthetic outside The Grid as well, like the Encom board room (clearly inspired by Dillinger's office in the original film). Another scene that gives me this same feeling is when the Stahl House is featured in Galaxy Quest. The Stahl House also reminds me of Kevin Flynn's balcony in Legacy LOL.

R3C0NF1GUR3D (Reconfigured) album (Legacy OST remixed by various popular techno producers).

This may be an odd recommendation, but if you like Legacy specifically, you might also like the show Mr. Robot. They're very different, Mr. Robot is not at all sci-fi and it can get heavy (Here's its Does The Dog Die content warnings), but if you like computers and Legacy's music, and you at least like Mr. Robot's first episode, I can't recommend it enough.

Tron

Uprising

This is a great show. If you haven't watched it yet, I really recommend. Some episodes are a liiittle more vanilla and typical (notice I'm not saying bad), but there are some episodes (e.g. the pilot and final 3 episodes) that have extra care and attention in the directing that really elevate the show, especially in the storyboarding, cinematography/composition, and use of slow motion.

There are even aspects of this show I think are stronger than Star Wars: The Clone Wars, one of the most well-regarded kid-friendly shows in western animation. For example, TCW and Star Wars Rebels... the puppetry bothers me 😭 sorry but its true. I just feel like characters rock back and forth a lot when talking, like the animator doesn't know how else to express a character conversing. Meanwhile, I just love the details and choices made in Uprising's puppetry. I don't have any gifs yet, but I will eventually make them to compare what I'm referring to.

This show also has an incredible cast. Like almost every voice actor I'm like "damn that is a huge Got, good for them" LOL. Paul Reubens as Pavel is one of my favorite choices, so many people don't like Pavel but I can't help but like him because Reubens does such a great job of having him be unhinged. Aaron Paul and Lance Henriksen are also so well cast.

I think a few people dislike what Uprising does with Tron himself as a character, but I genuinely think those who dislike it are biased to how Kindom Hearts II portrays Tron, where he's a bit more friendly and high spirited. But in the original film, Tron is more serious and stern, and I think Uprising captures that well.

concept art

Tron

Ares

Okay, obviously this movie is not out yet lol. But I'm excited for it!! I'm including it here for now anyway.

At first I wasn't excited about Nine Inch Nails's new song As Alive As You Need Me To Be.... now I listen to it in 20 minute long sessions at least 3 times a week LOL. The reason I was hesitant before was because I was like "lyrics??? in tron music???" but I'm now under the impression that this is just for the credits. I've also listened to NIN's soundtracks for other movies, and they have great sounds, so I have a lot of faith now this soundtrack will kick ass.

In the dropdown button (spoiler warning for Tron Ares, its in the trailer but still just in case you want to see it completely blind), you can see an aspect I am very excited about!!! I screamed when I saw it hahaha. The CG here looks FANTASTIC.

spoilers