Thanks for checking out our Tron and Tron Legacy 5 Disc Combo Pack Bluray and DVD Review. We already reviewed Tron: Legacy, so this is a review of the upcoming DVD and BluRay Release.
TRON
Genre: Action Adventure Sci-Fi
Directed by: Steven Lisberger
Staring: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner
Released: July 9, 1982 BluRay April 5, 2011
THE GENERAL IDEA
A hacker is literally abducted into the world of a computer and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program.
Special Features
There is not a lot of special features for this film aside from seeing it for the first time in HD – which I could honestly live without. The HD version of this movie only emphasises how dated the special effects were. Tiny details of imperfection are just magnified with stunning brilliance in HD. This looked awesome in its time on the big screen or VHS.
I didn’t expect this film to suddenly be better, but what passed for cutting edge and innovative in its time is hard to explain to your kids when it looks this rough in HD. I would have preferred a remastered version with the CG scenes updated, but at the same time that would have taken away from the charm of the film.
TRON: Legacy
Genre: Action Adventure Sci-Fi
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Staring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde
Released: December 17, 2010 – Bluray April 5, 2011
THE GENERAL IDEA
The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father’s creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid.
Special Features
Among the MANY special features of this disc, one I really enjoyed was the footage that was originally labeled online as a sneak peak at Tron 3. It was however a special feature on this release showing a bunch of footage that fills the gap between Tron films, as well as a little bit of an epilogue. What I liked most about it however is that on the DVD feature, the video ends with a classic 80s Space Paranoids “High Score” screen where you can enter your initials. However when you put your initials in it is an error, but if you put in any of the other top scoring initails (such as SAM and FLN or MCP) you get additional footage. One of particular interest is one that appears to be the cameo’d young Mr. Dillinger speaking via computer to the Master Control Program… which he calls Dad.
There are also a number of other featurettes that tell about the costume design, casting, viral marketing and history of the franchise.
The other special feature that I am looking forward to is the Disney Second Screen. I say looking forward to, because as I went to explore my review copy, that feature was not yet available. And considering this movie doesn’t come out until Tuesday, I can see why. The Second Screen feature allows you to synch up your iPad or Laptop to stream additional content on that device while simultaneously watching the movie on your TV. This removes the need for an intrusive picture-in-picture feature, employing your other device as an aptly named Second Screen.
OVERALL
A very cool and worthy collection to have, bringing both the classic that made this sequel possible and a bevy of special features tying the two productions and long history together. I personally don’t see any reason to buy any of the other versions, for true fans this is really where its at.
I applaud Disney for putting together a worthy set of special features with both films, delivering it all in one package instead of releasing these separately, then waiting six months for a special edition collectors combo pack.
Flynn?! I thought that was “The Dude” on-screen.
Both films are incredibly bad, and I love them all the more for them. I will be buying this collection.
I’m gettin’ it , dont know bout the rest of you guys.
Flynn Lives!
“There is not a lot of special features for this film aside from seeing it for the first time in HD”
“I personally don’t see any reason to buy any of the other versions, for true fans this is really where its at.”
That sounds a bit of a surprise to me- I have the 20th anniversary edition of TRON which has a chunk load of special features. I find it odd that the original film is included with the sequel without them…very strange.
A true fan of the first film would love those specil features- Steven Lisberger documented nearly everything that resulted in nearly five hours of behind the scenes and development process. And now…*poof* it -and the audio commentary- are gone from this new re-issue? Say it ain’t so, Rodney!
Yes, the sting is lessened because I have the two DVD disc of TRON- but the news that none (or few) of the special features regarding the original making it for BR is something NOT to get excited about.
I was debating which version of the new releases to buy. So, Darren, you’re confirming that the “making of” disc of Classic Tron is NOT included with the Tron-Legacy/Classic Tron set?
If so, I’ll stick with buying just the Tron-Legacy Blu-Ray/DVD combo and get the Classic-Tron 2-pack at a later date (I have an old DVD of Tron to tie me over in the meantime).