Starring:
Jeff Bridges … Kevin Flynn / Clu
Bruce Boxleitner … Alan Bradley / Tron
David Warner … Ed Dillinger / Sark / Master Control Program
Cindy Morgan … Lora / Yori
Barnard Hughes … Dr. Walter Gibbs / Dumont
Dan Shor … Ram / Popcorn Co-Worker
Peter Jurasik … Crom
Tony Stephano … Peter / Sark’s Lieutenant
Craig Chudy … Warrior #1
Vince Deadrick Jr. … Warrior #2 (as Vince Deadrick)
Synopsis from IMDb: Kevin Flynn is a former employee of the software corporation ENCOM, now running a arcade. Flynn has been trying to hack into ENCOM’s mainframe computer to find evidence that ENCOM’s senior executive Ed Dillinger stole four video games he created. But Dillinger’s supercomputer “Master Control Program” foils Flynn’s efforts and dictates and controls most of the computer systems. One night, Flynn’s former girlfriend Lora and her boyfriend, ace computer programmer Alan Bradley helps Flynn break into ENCOM to shut down the MCP with Alan’s security program “TRON”. But MCP uses Lora’s matter transmission program and converts Flynn into data and sends him into the computer. Flynn finds himself in a electronic world ruled by the MCP and his evil chief henchman Sark, where computer programs are the alter-egos of their creators and are forced to compete in gladiatorial games. With help from Tron, a heroic and fearless security program and his lover, Yori, Flynn sets out destroy the MCP and help Tron liberate the system from the MCP’s control, by destroying the MCP is Flynn’s only way of returning to the real world.
Reviewers: VS, PIT #1, PIT #2, PIT #3
VS – 1.5 pointed ears
Even though the technology clearly pegs this as an early ’80s film, the story still holds up. Clearly a Christ-analogy, Tron is a pretty straight-forward defeat the “evil” in the world story. The religious allegoryis clearly intentional as one of the Red guards talks about “religious nuts”. Though the writer makes it clear that even with the help of his god, it is still the individual that gets the job done. The implication is that although religion is ok, it’s not anything to run your life around.
The film seems a little too short to me. Interactions that could’ve been explored a little seem to be given the short shrift, Alan seems to agree to helping out Flynn just a tad too quickly. Computer bugs which played a large part in the coin-operated arcade game got less than 30 seconds of screen time. I would’ve liked to see a little more screen time of the real world results of the MCP’s destruction.
All-in-all a decent popcorn flick when you don’t have a lot time for a movie.
PIT #1 – 2 pointed ears
In spite of the fact that this movie relied too much on ancient computer technology, this was a very good movie. The portion of Kingdom Hearts 2 made a lot more sense now that I’ve refreshed my memory on this movie.
PIT #2 – 2 pointed ears
I’ve always wondered what life on the other side of the screen was like. Watching Flynn actually having to play was cool. There could’ve been more action if they’d had more games in the movie. The ’80s tech was distracting but not detracting.
PIT #3 – 1.8 pointed ears
I didn’t understand the computers. Daddy tried to explain that in the early ’80s computers were big things that didn’t fit into offices. I think I understand that, but why didn’t Mr. Dillinger simply erase the data? Why did Flynn have to teach computer programs about kissing?
7.3 pointed ears out of 8
I had always wondered about Dillinger’s lack of foresight in changing the data, but I let PIT#3 bring it up first in the article because he was so proud about catching that plot oversight.
This is a nice family friendly film. Given the fact that Disney has a sequel scheduled for 2011, we recommend at least renting this movie. The 20th anniversary DVD has a lot of interesting features and is worth the purchase.
Vulcan Stev's Database 
Ah, Hollywood and computers… What has always amused me about that movie was the way the real world half of computer use was portrayed. It’s actually better at that than a lot of more recent movies.
And kudos to #3.