Tron (1982) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook

"Computers and the programs will start thinking, and the people will stop."

In revisiting Steven Lisberger's TRON four decades later, I'm really amazed at how prophetic this neon-soaked digital fever dream actually is. At the time, personal computers were not even a thought in most households. And yet, Disney took a massive financial gamble on imagining the inner workings of computer systems as a living, breathing world. The digital computer animation and effects, which look primitive today but were revolutionary in 1982, feel quaint in our reality of AI-generated content, learning algorithms and AI companions. Nevertheless, the plot's core concepts about programs having personalities, artificial intelligence developing consciousness and the blurred boundaries between user and program hit differently now in our current world. It wasn't just ahead of its time. It practically invented the visual language for how we'd eventually come to understand our relationship with digital technology and devices. The film's cultural influence and impact can still be seen and felt in nearly everything, from pioneering CGI in movies and animation to music and the visual aesthetics of digital interfaces and hacker culture.

Granted, the high-concept plot is nothing particularly mind-blowing, made intentionally to push the boundaries of animation. Jeff Bridges plays Flynn, a programmer who is digitized and zapped into a computer mainframe where he teams up with security programs to defeat the tyrannical Master Control Program (MCP). It's a pretty straightforward good-versus-evil story disguised as sci-fi visual spectacle. But what really makes TRON so fascinating is how the AI programs, like TRON (Bruce Boxleitner) and RAM (Dan Shor), are portrayed as fully-realized characters with distinct motivations and fears. Flynn's interactions with them are surprisingly complex and feel authentic because he treats them like allies and friends, as unique individuals with their own sense of purpose and mortality. Forty years later, as AI continues to advance and become more widespread while debating its ethical use, this cult sci-fi classic feels both comfortably quaint and also remarkably prophetic.

For more another take on the movie, here is our review of the 2011 Blu-ray release.

"When you think about it, the idea for Tron is more than a bit far-fetched, and on paper, it can be hard to connect with the material. Sure, for a modern day audience the idea of artificial intelligence and computer programs interacting with human in a digital environment may seem like a possibility on the horizon — just look at the modern advances in computer technology — but for an audience in the early 80s, Tron must have felt really out there. Thankfully, the movie featured an entertaining, fast-paced story that audiences could enjoy, and showcased some of the most groundbreaking special effects ever seen on film.

"Tron is the story of programmer Kevin Flynn, (Jeff Bridges) a young phenom who was the brightest young programmer at ENCOM Corp. During his time at ENCOM, Flynn had his two best video game programs stolen by rival engineer Ed Dillinger (David Warner). Dillinger used them to become wealthy and rise up the ranks of ENCOM. Deciding that he wasn't going to accept it, Flynn has been on a mission to hack the company's Master Control Program (MCP) and find the evidence to prove Dillinger stole his work. With the help of ENCOM employee/friends Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora Baines, (Cindy Morgan) Flynn breaks into ENCOM to find the evidence he needs. While trying to gain access to the system, the [MCP] uses a quantum laser to transport Flynn into the virtual world of its system. Inside, Flynn discovers a world where programs interact in human form and serve the [MCP]. With the help of Bradley's security program Tron, Flynn is on a mission to escape the virtual world and defeat the [MCP]. Along the way, he is forced to do battle with energy discs and race to the death on light motorcycles.

"Having never seen Tron, I was very impressed. The story was engaging and high energy, [but] there were very few instances where I felt the plot dragging. The true treat is the vintage special effects. Much as people love the original Clash of the Titans for its vintage effects and stop-motion creatures, I think the same feelings are felt for Tron. At the time of its release, these were truly groundbreaking effects, heavily driven by the new technology of computer animation. Fans were amazed at the sheer spectacle. I won't go so far as to say it was a must-see film in the same way that Star Wars was, but Tron felt like solid evidence that computer animation was the future of movies.

"Personally, what I enjoyed most was the story, which felt just as ahead of its time as the effects. Bridges also does an excellent job keeping the audience involved. He's a likable character, one we can't help but root for. Admittedly, Tron isn't for everyone. If you don't have a moderate interest in science fiction or computer technology, you won't find much to enjoy here. But for people looking for a nostalgic 80s sci-fi experience, you can't go wrong with this one."

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray
Walt Disney Home Entertainment brings TRON to Ultra HD Blu-ray as a two-disc SteelBook with a flyer for a Digital Copy, unlocking the 4K UHD version in Dolby Vision HDR with Dolby Atmos audio. The dual-layered UHD66 disc sits comfortably atop a Region Free, BD50 disc on the same panel, and both are housed inside an attractive SteelBook. At startup, the UHD goes straight to a static menu screen with the usual options along the bottom and music playing in the background.

The cult sci-fi classic enters the 4K Ultra HD games with an outstanding, reference-quality HEVC H.265 encode, offering fans a significant upgrade over its Blu-ray counterpart. Sourced from a brand-new restoration and remaster of the original camera negatives, the native 4K transfer shows some signs that DNR was very lightly used, and there is a bit of aliasing in a few of the CG images. Thankfully, it's nothing egregious or too distracting, and overall, the video is incredibly sharp and detailed, exposing every nook and cranny. More impressive and standout is the Dolby Vision HDR grading, layering the presentation with a dynamic, richly saturated palette that gives the reds and blues an eye-popping glow. Secondary hues, especially yellows and oranges, are full-bodied and energetic, and facial complexions appear healthy and accurate. Contrast and brightness are spot-on with inky rich blacks and crisp, radiant specular highlights, providing the 2.20:1 image with an impressive three-dimensional appeal. 

All in all, the picture quality is exceptional and one that can be used for demonstrating the benefits of the format, especially for older classics like this one. (Dolby Vision HDR Video Rating: 96/100)

Fans are digitized and transported to the computer mainframe with a fantastic and highly engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Although it would have been nice to include a lossless option of the original Dolby Stereo track, this object-based version is a stellar listen at home, possibly sourced from the 70mm 6-track master. While still maintaining a front-heavy presence for a majority of the runtime, imaging feels spacious and well-balanced with background activity smoothly moving across the entire soundstage and into the front heights. Atmospherics are reserved for scenes inside the mainframe and only for certain scenes, like the games or the climactic third act, flawlessly panning between the surrounds and across the overheads, generating an enveloping hemispheric soundfield on several occasions. A superb midrange exhibits excellent distinction during the loudest action sequences with impressive room-penetrating clarity. Vocals are precise and very well-prioritized from start to finish, and an energetic low-end provides the visuals with some palpable weight and a great sense of presence. (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 92/100)

For this UHD edition, Disney has ported over the same set of supplements as the 2011 BD release, but they are only available on the accompanying BD disc. 

• Audio Commentary 
• The Making of (SD, 88 min)
• The Tron Phenomenon (HD, 10 min)
• Publicity (SD, 13 min)
• Digital Imagery (SD, 12 min)
• Photo Tronology (HD, 10 min)
• Storyboards (SD, 9 min)
• Development (SD, 8 min)
• Music (SD, 4 min)
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 6 min)
• Design (SD, 4 min)
• Image Galleries (HD)

Four decades later, Steven Lisberger's TRON feels more prescient than ever, made intentionally to push the boundaries of animation, but the plot's core concepts about programs having unique personalities hit differently today. Starring Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner, this cult classic feels both comfortably quaint and also remarkably prophetic. Disney brings the '80s favorite to 4K Ultra HD with a reference-quality Dolby Vision HDR presentation and an excellent, highly engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Porting over the same set of supplements as the previous BD, this UHD SteelBook edition makes for a Highly Recommended addition to the 4K library.

All disc reviews at High-Def Digest are completed using the best consumer HD home theater products currently on the market. More about the gear used for this review.