Reviews (175)

FUTURE'S NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS
Steve Lisberger's "TRON" ... is the first big studio feature film that utilized a majority of its screen time with computer generated and enhanced imagery. It ushered in an era of heightened visuals that continue today with near photorealism. This lavish two disc set includes just about everything that can be added to the simplistic story of a video-game geek (Jeff Bridges) and sidekick (Bruce Boxleitner), who enter the cyberworld to do battle with the Master Control Program that has a thing for terminating players. The digital domain of the story is only partially thought out and not fully actualized but has hints of a Matrix-like world dominated by HAL from Kubrick's "2001." Once in cyberspace, the black and white characters with their neon auras are soothing eye candy that belies the gloom of the alternate universe they inhabit. The bonus material includes director Lisberger's anecdotal commentary along with surprisingly detailed effects information from Richard Taylor and visual supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw. There's a fascinating 90 minute making of documentary, deleted scenes, alternate music, a still gallery, effects demo reels, storyboards and more. The futuristic story's ironically quaint by today's standards but still great looking fun for kids and first-timers.

Excellent film and finally an excellent DVD to match it!
My original review (for the other DVD release of this movie, and I'm glad so many of you found it helpful) pleaded for Disney to get its act together and release a version more in tune with the LaserDisc which was awesome. Instead they had released a really bad version at a very high price. Finally, with the 20th Anniversary edition, they got their act together and boy did they.

I had waited years to watch Tron in widescreen again (not having had the pleasure of watching the famed LaserDisc version). and the previous DVD was a disappointment in so many ways. I mean, Tron is one of the best movies of all time, a true classic in every sense of the word. It is the first film to use Computer Animation and Graphics, EVER. The story is interesting and explores some very interesting concepts both philosofical and otherwise. The acting is not bad if at times some parts may be a bit cheesy but still excellent. The story is less than perfect but incredibly enjoyable and in many ways (certainly not all of them and certainly not the deleted scene) has stood the test of time.

This DVD is what all of us have waited for, a historically improtant film in all its glory filled with awesome features we had been waiting so many years to see again or for the first time. I highly recommend buying this 20th Anniversary edition, it is not only a CG classic and true ground breaking (setting) film, but a highly enjoyable one to boot. Did I mention it was finally worth its price?

Enjoy.

EXCELENTE!!!!
TRON HASTA EL DIA DE HOY DESPUES DE MAS DE 25 AÑOS DE HABER SALIDO AL MERCADO, SIGUE SIENDO UNA DE LAS MEJORES PELICULAS DE SCI-FI DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS.

EXCELENTE GUION

EXCELENTE GRAFICOS ( POR MAS ANTIGUOS Y SIMPLES QUE PAREZCAN AHORA)

EXCELENTE ELENCO

EXCELENTE EXCELENTE!!!

TIENES QUE TENER ESTE DVD.

ESTE DVD TIENE LEYENDAS EN ESPAÑOL.

A Flim Before Its Time
Tron was a movie made with cutting edge technology on the cusp of what we today call CGI. Unfortunately, for this movie, it did not do too well at the box office in 1982. It's a shame really. While the idea behind Tron was a brilliant one and led the way for future CGI movies to come, it just came out way before its time. The public was not quite ready for such a movie as audiences were still tipsy from the success of Star Wars. It did, however, appeal to young audiences of the video game craze of the 1980s. Contrary to popular belief, the movie Tron actually came out before the video game Tron was created.

After 20 years, Tron has regained some of it's ingenuity with the DVD flawlessly enhancing its visual effects and sound quality. The storyline is very basic yet still enjoyable. The score is fantastical and romantic with a hint of adventurousness. This film is more for the subtle-minded, sensual sci-fi lover.

Before the Matrix
Tron is Disney's first computer-animated motion picture made in the early 1980s. A story about three friends who help each other to regain access to their programs. One of them, Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, is literally digitized and sent into the computer itself to be a part of the games. He becomes acquainted with other freedom fighters and together they help free all the programs from the clutches of the Master Control.

This sounds like a very rudimentary precursor to the Matrix, but even in Tron's day, the idea of the computer taking over humanity and human-like qualities such as freedom was a very popular concept. Disney added it's charming tradition of heroism, animation and hi-tech computer graphics to create this electronic world.

The DVD further enhances the back-lit animation effects of the environment and the characters. And there's a Lucas THX sound option. Disc 2 has several extras depicting the conceptual design that led to the development of Tron. I was more interested in the Making of Tron feature, but even that's a bit long-winded. You can fast forward to the cast interviews.

If you've never seen Tron, don't expect this movie to be a hardcore, gritty sci-fi drama. This is Disney's more romantic version of an adventure within a computer. The special effects are outdated compared to CGI and the action sequences are much slower than the lightning quick martial arts maneuvers we're used to today. But this still manages to be a very good story maintaining its great style. ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Cusack displays his usual charm in this adventure film from early in his career. Prep-school student Dan Bartlett (Cusack) flunks his chemistry final and has to forgo a Caribbean vacation with his wealthy girlfriend Laurie and her family. When the professor decides to be lenient and lets him pass, Dan sets off after Laurie--but finds himself one step behind her as he's sidetracked, shanghaied, and almost shipwrecked. Meanwhile, the boat that Laurie is on gets hijacked, just as Dan finally catches up. Hot Pursuit won't be remembered as one of Cusack's best films, but it's enjoyable and has beautiful shots of the Caribbean. Robert Loggia gives a rambunctious performance as an old sea dog and Ben Stiller makes his film debut as a sleazy cabin boy. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The best Cusack movie you never heard of.
This movie didn't get the attention like other classics like "The Sure Thing" or "Better off Dead" but it captured John Cusack's charming Charlie Brown Turned Hero quality better than any of them. It sits on my list of favorites, but sadly I never see it in a rental store, and I'm afraid it's destined to obscurity.

But the fact is: I loved it. It was a special, funny movie with a lot of charm.

Great "cheesy" 80's flick
If you're a big fan of the "cheesy" 80's flicks.. pick this one up. It's really very funny! Pair it with a big pitcher of margaritas and you've got the recipe for a night of laughs.

ARRRR! SPAGHETTI-O'S!
Nice little diversion with Cusack playing a prep-school fish out of Carribean paradise water. When problems at school delay him from joining his girlfriend and her folks on their vacation getaway, he's determined to find any way to catch up with them, even take up with a questionable post-modern pirate of a ship's captain played by Loggia (who delivers the classic line that headlines this review). The movie attempts to be all it can be, with subplots involving a family of crooks, a kidnapping, and a search for paternal acceptance, but it's mostly held afloat by Cusack and Loggia's repartee. This is one of Cusack's last pure-breed 80's comedys before he broke out into his dramedy films of the 90's, and his loud "I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME!" schtick wears a little thin by the conclusion, but all parties involved were smart enough to keep the film short, so it's not painfully obvious. An absolute must for all Cusack fans, and decent fun for everyone else.

Fun movie !
John Cusack's early movie and it is a good one. The director Steven Lisberger also directed Tron in 82. The performace is fine and the movie is quite funny every step of the way. Robert Loggia Co-stars.

The DVD is quite good. The picture is sharp and exotic locations are presented beautifully in this DVD. Too bad Paramount did not remastered the sound in 5.1 but the sound quality is adequate. Recommended.

One of The Best 80's Films Ever
It's about time, I've been waiting years for this to hit DVD format. It was only about 14 months ago when the VHS was still going for $80. What a great movie, if you liked Honeymoon in Vegas you'll love the classic Cusack while he scours a tropical paradise in search of his georgeous girlfriend. The plot leaves you restless, while Cusack gets closer his girlfriend seems to get farther away and who'd of thought there'd be a gun battle at the end. Just buy it you'll love it!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The surprising truth about Disney's 1982 computer-game fantasy is that it's still visually impressive (though technologically quaint by later high-definition standards) and a lot of fun. It's about a computer wizard named Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who is digitally broken down into a data stream by a villainous software pirate (David Warner) and reconstituted into the internal, 3-D graphical world of computers. It is there, in the blazingly colorful, geometrically intense landscapes of cyberspace, that Flynn joins forces with Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) to outmaneuver the Master Control program that holds them captive in the equivalent of a gigantic, infinitely challenging computer game. Disney's wizards used a variety of cinematic techniques and early-'80s state-of-the-art computer-generated graphics to accomplish their dynamic visual goals, and the result was a milestone in cyberentertainment, catering to technogeeks while providing a dazzling adventure for hackers and nonhackers alike. Appearing just in time to celebrate the nascent cyberpunk movement in science fiction, Tron received a decidedly mixed reaction when originally released, but has since become a high-tech favorite and a landmark in special effects, with a loyal following of fans. DVD is a perfect format for the movie's neon-glow color scheme, and the musical score by synthesizer pioneer Wendy Carlos is faithfully preserved on the digitally remastered soundtrack. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (175)

FUTURE'S NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS
Steve Lisberger's "TRON" ... is the first big studio feature film that utilized a majority of its screen time with computer generated and enhanced imagery. It ushered in an era of heightened visuals that continue today with near photorealism. This lavish two disc set includes just about everything that can be added to the simplistic story of a video-game geek (Jeff Bridges) and sidekick (Bruce Boxleitner), who enter the cyberworld to do battle with the Master Control Program that has a thing for terminating players. The digital domain of the story is only partially thought out and not fully actualized but has hints of a Matrix-like world dominated by HAL from Kubrick's "2001." Once in cyberspace, the black and white characters with their neon auras are soothing eye candy that belies the gloom of the alternate universe they inhabit. The bonus material includes director Lisberger's anecdotal commentary along with surprisingly detailed effects information from Richard Taylor and visual supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw. There's a fascinating 90 minute making of documentary, deleted scenes, alternate music, a still gallery, effects demo reels, storyboards and more. The futuristic story's ironically quaint by today's standards but still great looking fun for kids and first-timers.

Excellent film and finally an excellent DVD to match it!
My original review (for the other DVD release of this movie, and I'm glad so many of you found it helpful) pleaded for Disney to get its act together and release a version more in tune with the LaserDisc which was awesome. Instead they had released a really bad version at a very high price. Finally, with the 20th Anniversary edition, they got their act together and boy did they.

I had waited years to watch Tron in widescreen again (not having had the pleasure of watching the famed LaserDisc version). and the previous DVD was a disappointment in so many ways. I mean, Tron is one of the best movies of all time, a true classic in every sense of the word. It is the first film to use Computer Animation and Graphics, EVER. The story is interesting and explores some very interesting concepts both philosofical and otherwise. The acting is not bad if at times some parts may be a bit cheesy but still excellent. The story is less than perfect but incredibly enjoyable and in many ways (certainly not all of them and certainly not the deleted scene) has stood the test of time.

This DVD is what all of us have waited for, a historically improtant film in all its glory filled with awesome features we had been waiting so many years to see again or for the first time. I highly recommend buying this 20th Anniversary edition, it is not only a CG classic and true ground breaking (setting) film, but a highly enjoyable one to boot. Did I mention it was finally worth its price?

Enjoy.

EXCELENTE!!!!
TRON HASTA EL DIA DE HOY DESPUES DE MAS DE 25 AÑOS DE HABER SALIDO AL MERCADO, SIGUE SIENDO UNA DE LAS MEJORES PELICULAS DE SCI-FI DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS.

EXCELENTE GUION

EXCELENTE GRAFICOS ( POR MAS ANTIGUOS Y SIMPLES QUE PAREZCAN AHORA)

EXCELENTE ELENCO

EXCELENTE EXCELENTE!!!

TIENES QUE TENER ESTE DVD.

ESTE DVD TIENE LEYENDAS EN ESPAÑOL.

A Flim Before Its Time
Tron was a movie made with cutting edge technology on the cusp of what we today call CGI. Unfortunately, for this movie, it did not do too well at the box office in 1982. It's a shame really. While the idea behind Tron was a brilliant one and led the way for future CGI movies to come, it just came out way before its time. The public was not quite ready for such a movie as audiences were still tipsy from the success of Star Wars. It did, however, appeal to young audiences of the video game craze of the 1980s. Contrary to popular belief, the movie Tron actually came out before the video game Tron was created.

After 20 years, Tron has regained some of it's ingenuity with the DVD flawlessly enhancing its visual effects and sound quality. The storyline is very basic yet still enjoyable. The score is fantastical and romantic with a hint of adventurousness. This film is more for the subtle-minded, sensual sci-fi lover.

Before the Matrix
Tron is Disney's first computer-animated motion picture made in the early 1980s. A story about three friends who help each other to regain access to their programs. One of them, Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, is literally digitized and sent into the computer itself to be a part of the games. He becomes acquainted with other freedom fighters and together they help free all the programs from the clutches of the Master Control.

This sounds like a very rudimentary precursor to the Matrix, but even in Tron's day, the idea of the computer taking over humanity and human-like qualities such as freedom was a very popular concept. Disney added it's charming tradition of heroism, animation and hi-tech computer graphics to create this electronic world.

The DVD further enhances the back-lit animation effects of the environment and the characters. And there's a Lucas THX sound option. Disc 2 has several extras depicting the conceptual design that led to the development of Tron. I was more interested in the Making of Tron feature, but even that's a bit long-winded. You can fast forward to the cast interviews.

If you've never seen Tron, don't expect this movie to be a hardcore, gritty sci-fi drama. This is Disney's more romantic version of an adventure within a computer. The special effects are outdated compared to CGI and the action sequences are much slower than the lightning quick martial arts maneuvers we're used to today. But this still manages to be a very good story maintaining its great style. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An unusual sci-fi adventure.
Matt Owen (Bill Paxton), a Jack of all Trades decides to steal a man by the name of Byron (Bob Peck), who commited a Crime for Murder. The people, they were holding Byron are Bounty-Hunters by the names of Tasker (Mark Hamill) and Belitski (Kitty Aldridge). Matt takes Byron into the Slipstream, a dangerous Wind Current that was Created by Man`s Destruction of the Environment. While Tasker and Belitski are behind them. Matt and Byron develop an unlikely friendship, because Byron is a Android and as they travel, they ended up meeting up with a Religious Cult that Worships the Slipstream.

Directed by Steven Lisberger (Tron) made a entertaining movie. This film has High Production Values and a Sweeping-Elmer Bernstein (Ghostbusters) music score. The movie is about a Futuristic World of High Hopes. This Big Scale Production has never been release in theaters in the U.S., Hamill gives a Top Notch Performance and a fine one by Peck. DVD`s has an above average Pan & Scan (1.33:1) transfer and a decent Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. There`s might be a better DVD with a stronger transfer and sound. Watch for Oscar-Winners:Ben Kingsley and F. Murray Abraham in Cameos. Also in a Cameo is Robbie Coltrane. This underrated film is worth seeing. Produced by Gary Kurtz (One Lane Backdrop, American Graffiti and the original-Star Wars Trilogy). Grade:A-.

This flick deserves another look...
Stay calm. Just because Mark Hamill is in this movie, doesn't mean it automatically rises to the calibre of a trilogy of movies he once starred in - but SLIPSTREAM does deserve a viewing. Hamill breaks from his typecast hero role to successfully play a baddie. But the better reason to watch this flick is to see an amazing performance by the late Bob Peck. His controlled acting and professionalism carry the film. Also look for short, albeit good performances by Robbie Coltrane, Kitty Aldridge and Ben Kingsley. Unfortunately, the hero of the story is a bungling idiot (played by Bill Paxton) whose character may dissuade some viewers from giving this flick a better grade. In a fantasy/action genre that is so often characterized by common themes, surroundings, and plotlines, SLIPSTREAM is a welcome change.

good rough draft
This is a movie with a wonderful concept, but very weak writing. It should never have been released with out at least three more re-writes (assuming it got any). The story is too loosly held together, and there are too many 90 degree turns in the story to make it a cohesive movie. It would be great to see what a dicent screen-writer could do with the story.

One of the most profound (and under-appreciated) movies
If you look on the "surface" only when first watching "Slipstream," it may seem like a somewhat cheesy low-budget movie, and I'm honestly embarrassed that the very first time I began watching it, I didn't look beneath the surface. I wasn't feeling well that night and hadn't seen a truly profound movie in ages; I didn't expect to see one with "Slipstream." (I never expect to see a profound movie nowadays because so few are produced.) There were a couple of times when I almost gave up on watching "Slipstream," but I'm so glad I didn't because it ultimately turned out to be one of the most profound movies I'd ever seen.

The story's almost an intellectual exercise, an intellectual parable; philosophical, ecological, social and scientific themes lie beneath the bare-bones exterior. With the exception of maybe one extraneous scene, nearly every line of dialogue, nearly every scene has some deeper meaning, is foreshadowing something that will happen later on in the story, and/or is symbolic of something in the real world.

The characters, dialogue and acting are just wonderful; Bill Paxton, Bob Peck, Kitty Aldridge and Mark Hamill are perfect in their roles. The interesting bare-bones sets and minimal special effects really enhance the story by not overshadowing it. Who would think the wind could be a fictional character? It is one in "Slipstream."

Most science fiction movies are about capturing the viewer's eyes. "Slipstream's" about capturing the viewer's mind and emotions, and it has certainly captured mine. I recommend "Slipstream" to everyone and only wish there were more movies like it.

Episodic chase picture with an actual theme
"We try to be perfect, but have to settle for being human. He tries to be humanm, but has to settle for being perfect."

In a world swept clean, Tracker (Mark Hamill) is the Lone Ranger, maintaining the last bit of frontier justice between the settlements and warring tribes. He and his partner are returning a rogue android for justice, when a bounty hunter (Bill Paxton) steals their prisoner.

The android, a very british sort, is the last person one would expect to commit murder, and I did miss who he killed and what his motivation for the crime was.

As they travel the Slipstream, a massive air-current, they pass various groups from the dregs of society (a semi-barbaric camp) to true primitives who worship the wind and eschew technology, to the last remnant of the cultural elite.

In the course of things, Byron, the android, learns about being human, but also that he never can be.

This movie could be compared to _Blade Runner_ both for plot and theme. But while Ridley Scott was content to give us fabulously cluttered mise-en-scene and ask the questions by symbolism, _Slipstream_ gives us minimalist sets, great actors, and asks the questions directly.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The premise was good and innovative, the plot borrows from great traditions of both the cop movie and Huckleberry Finn. It also includes an homage to North by Northwest.

Watch it, but be ready to think. ... Read more