4K Digital Review of TRON: Legacy

 

TRON: Legacy begins in 1989, seven years after the events of the original film. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is the CEO of ENCOM and is leading them into the future. And suddenly, without warning, Flynn disappears. Flynn's friend Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) is left in control of ENCOM until Flynn's son Sam is old enough to take control. Now, 20 years later, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), is as tech savvy as his father. A message leads him to his dad's old arcade and he is teleported into the digital world. Here Sam is captured and forced to play in the games. The games are a life and death battle involving energy disc battles and lightcycle duels.  Sam quickly learns that he was brought here by CLU, a program who looks just like Flynn. CLU is in control of the digital world and sees users such as Flynn and Sam as the ones holding the programs from realizing their full potential. Sam is rescued by Quorra (Olivia Wilde), a program who is friends with Flynn. As father and son are reunited I nthe digital world, Sam now must decide to not interfere with CLU and his intentions of stop CLU and get back to the real world. 

Video:

TRON: Legacy was remastered from the original digital sources and upgraded to 4K. The results are unbelievably stunning to say the very least. You get sharper, better defined details throughout. The blacks are inky and facial features and skin tones looks lifelike. The transfer is gorgeous and demo-worthy.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is as impressive as the video. The sound envelopes you as atmospheric effects travel seamlessly all around you. When Sam enters The Grid, you are surrounded by digital noises. From the sounds of disc wars flying around you, the hum of the lightcycle, the Recognizers hovering above you with their deep bass and the sound of light jets flying just above your head. You will feel as if you and not Sam were in The Grid.

Bonus Material:

• Launching the Legacy (HD – 10:20)
• Visualizing TRON (HD – 11:46)
• Installing the Cast (HD – 12:04)
• Disc Roars (HD – 3:00)
• The Speed of Light (HD – 9:49)

Conclusion:

While not as groundbreaking as the original, TRON: Legacy still delivers a visually stunning world. The video and the audio are demo-worthy. The supplements are lacking and just brought over from the previous Blu-ray. But this is still highly recommended for your library.

TRON: Legacy is now available to own on digital, Blu-ray and 4K UHD.

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of this review and the review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of TRON (1982)

 

Back in 1982, personal computers were not even a thought for the average household. Computer animation was not a thing. We were still years away from the internet. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was unknown to the masses. TRON debuted in theaters and it wasn't just a film ahead of its time, it was the start of a revolution. A film meant to push the boundaries of animation, has influenced just about everything that we know today. It has pioneered computer graphics in movies, pushed music and computer interfaces.

TRON focuses on Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a brilliant programmer at ENCOM. Flynn's rival Edward Dillinger (David Warner), stole two of his best video game programs and used them to move up the ranks of ENCOM. Determined to find evidence that Dillinger stole his work, Flynn wants to hack into the company's Master Control Program (MCP). With the help of his ENCOM employee/friends Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan), Flynn gains access to ENCOM. While trying to hack into the system, the MCP uses a laser to transport Flynn into the virtual world of its system. Flynn discovers a world that only serves the MCP. Alan Bradley has created a security program he calls TRON who helps Flynn fight the MCP and hopefully return Flynn back to the human world.

Video:

The 4K streaming video is sourced from a brand-new restoration and remaster from the film's original negatives. TRON has never looked better. The video is extremely crisp and sharp. The glow of the red and blue hues in the digital world are impressive.  Blacks are inky and silky. Facial expressions are clean and accurate. A showcase quality restoration from the amazing team at Disney.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos soundtrack is superb to match the restored video quality. While mostly front channel heavy for most of the movie, the surround channels come in during the digital world. The sound field is enveloping and immersive especially during the games and the final act. Vocals are crystal clear throughout the movie. Another wonderful audio track from Disney.

Bonus Features:

• The TRON Phenomenon (HD – 9:45)
• Photo TRONology (HD – 16:37)
• Original DVD Features
• Development
  • “Computers Are People Too” (SD – 4:28)
• Digital Imagery
  • Digital Imagery in TRON (SD – 3:44)
  • “Beyond TRON” (SD – 4:00)
• The Making of TRON (SD – 88:21)
• Publicity
• Trailer #4 (SD – 1:34)

Conclusion:

TRON has never looked and sounded better. Reference-quality video and a very engaging soundtrack brings this 1982 movie to renewed life. Some good supplements that have been out before. This is a highly recommended addition to your movie library.

TRON is available on digital, Blu-ray and 4K UHD now. 

*The movie was supplied by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*