Why is Tron so popular?
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JamBurglar
Well-known member
Tron was a dope movie. The whole concept of programs in the computers having lives of their own was cool. Flynn goes into the matrix and the programs are like "fuck dood, you're a programer and you're in here with us, that's totally mindblowing and tubular" (or something to that effect). Computers were just starting to break back then and, just like with video games, people were just trying to wrap their head around it. When you start talking about computers with programs fighting inside them and driving around in lazer light bikes, that's just like some double rainbow nutso stuff. Then the video game came out and it was like you could actually play Tron too. Whoah . . .
Now that we've seen all of these advances with technology, it definatley looks dated, but Tron aged fairly well. It could look a lot worse.
The actual writing was pretty bad. Some of the acting was pretty subpar too. It was'nt in the same leage as Empire Strikes Back or ET but it was light years better than V the miniseries (which was also kind of cool).
All in all, I'd have to sum it up saying the writing was really bad, but the concept was badass. Growing up in the 80s, renting a VCR to watch Tron, and experiencing computers and videogames for the fist time also has a big nostalgic effect.
Now that we've seen all of these advances with technology, it definatley looks dated, but Tron aged fairly well. It could look a lot worse.
The actual writing was pretty bad. Some of the acting was pretty subpar too. It was'nt in the same leage as Empire Strikes Back or ET but it was light years better than V the miniseries (which was also kind of cool).
All in all, I'd have to sum it up saying the writing was really bad, but the concept was badass. Growing up in the 80s, renting a VCR to watch Tron, and experiencing computers and videogames for the fist time also has a big nostalgic effect.
copious
Well-known member
Because we all wished it was true.
butthead
New member
It is real, no Flash back.,TRON LIVES.
This thinking goes for just about anything that gains popularity in it's day and someone always has to come along and 'not understand'. When you hit your 40's you'll look back at things that were breakthrough things for their time too and some 20 something will come along and say what's the deal, that sucks.
In 1982 there was nothing like tron, nobody had seen effects like that or a story based on computers at all. So of course, compared with today or the 90's it just isn't as visually cool and the story isn't unique. In 1982, only computer kids knew just what 'bit' was, today it's 2nd grade stuff. You can take anything completely out of context and say it sucks I guess.
I suppose the next question is 'whats the big deal about arcades, I went to one and it was boring.'.
In 1982 there was nothing like tron, nobody had seen effects like that or a story based on computers at all. So of course, compared with today or the 90's it just isn't as visually cool and the story isn't unique. In 1982, only computer kids knew just what 'bit' was, today it's 2nd grade stuff. You can take anything completely out of context and say it sucks I guess.
I suppose the next question is 'whats the big deal about arcades, I went to one and it was boring.'.
tron
i remember my dad taking me to see tron at the movies i was amazed,i now have a 14 year old son and i bought the movie and showed it to him,although he's used to all the new tech and 3d movies he loved it! but hes a little old school like me. i remember when i saw an actual tron machine and i was like freakin' out i could be like in the movie,like yall said
"guess ya had to be there"
i remember my dad taking me to see tron at the movies i was amazed,i now have a 14 year old son and i bought the movie and showed it to him,although he's used to all the new tech and 3d movies he loved it! but hes a little old school like me. i remember when i saw an actual tron machine and i was like freakin' out i could be like in the movie,like yall said
"guess ya had to be there"
p1899m
New member
I can see your point of view. I'm a realist. I loved tron BITD and will still pop in the DVD from time to time. To be fair though I have fond memories of the movie from when it was new. If I didn't have those I would feel how you do. Although I will say that I strongly believe the new tron will not be like the tron of old. I expect it to be more action packed and modern which may actually not appeal to those who grew up with it.
As others have said you had to be there.
Waterborn
Active member
I first saw TRON (Movie AND Game) in the Contemporary hotel at Disney World the year it came out. At the time, the Contemporary Hotel had the largest, most amazing arcade imaginable and they would debut all the latest games. There was a full scale movie theater in the back of the arcade where they showed Disney flicks and premier TRON. I was blown away.
As a TRON fanatic, it is very difficult to explain the appeal to people who were there. Remember when The Matrix first came out? Well, without TRON, there would literally have been no Matrix or pretty much any other computer generated special effects for that matter.
I just pick this up this week.
It is pretty cool as a 42 year old video game enthusiast to read through this issue. In it they debut the Atari 2600 trackball controller AND the Vectrex home console. It was also interesting to note that 95% of the adds in this issue were for cigarettes or liquor. Times have changed indeed.
As a TRON fanatic, it is very difficult to explain the appeal to people who were there. Remember when The Matrix first came out? Well, without TRON, there would literally have been no Matrix or pretty much any other computer generated special effects for that matter.
I just pick this up this week.
It is pretty cool as a 42 year old video game enthusiast to read through this issue. In it they debut the Atari 2600 trackball controller AND the Vectrex home console. It was also interesting to note that 95% of the adds in this issue were for cigarettes or liquor. Times have changed indeed.
gutsman004
New member
I've said this before,but I saw the movie as kid and thought it was alright.Then I saw it as an adult and thought it was awful.I agree completely with the "staring at a flourescent bulb" comment.
As far as the game goes,it's in a unique and cool looking cab.It's definitely not my favorite game but by no means do I hate it.I'd own one if I found it reasonably priced,then I'd most likely trade it for another game I'd want more.
IvanTT
New member
+1
I too hate the game but want one because I like the way it looks. The new movie is going to really rock, pacing of older films are much slower than todays movies and the original Tron was just OK not great. But it was more than those special effects masturbations they call movies today like Transformers or Clash of the Titans
jcterzin
New member
I agree. I found it very very boring. and I SO wanted it to be this crazy good cult classic that would blow me away that I had never hear of before. Just bad execution
Ivan returns!!!!!!!!!!
sohchx
Active member
I am 32 years old and still cannot figure why it's so popular myself. I never thought I would be so anxious for a fad to be over in my entire life. I actually get angry when I hear or see the word Tron everytime I turn on my TV or am on here reading the forums. Why so many new threads on it every day? Why can't it all be consolidated to one thread? Enough is enough already christ. ANd I thought it was bad around here with Star wars.
In my opinion, Tron the game, was popular because of the controls. A flight stick with a trigger and a spinner on the same game.
Edit: Furthermore just about any game that had more than just a standard joystick and a button was always popular. Starwars, any game with a rotary joystick, vindicators with tank controls, smash tv with 2 sticks per player, satins hollow and gorf were nothing special except for the controller. and who can forget lunar lander.
Edit: Furthermore just about any game that had more than just a standard joystick and a button was always popular. Starwars, any game with a rotary joystick, vindicators with tank controls, smash tv with 2 sticks per player, satins hollow and gorf were nothing special except for the controller. and who can forget lunar lander.
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I liken the "wow" factor of Tron in 1982 to the "wow" factor of Terminator 2 when it was released.
There was nothing like it. I recently re-watched the movie (yes, I'm 40) and still liked it, although it's not revolutaionary any more.
I can see how people, especially younger people, don't get it.
Chris
There was nothing like it. I recently re-watched the movie (yes, I'm 40) and still liked it, although it's not revolutaionary any more.
I can see how people, especially younger people, don't get it.
Chris
I have a news flash…Tron isn't popular.
Pretty much everybody here knows of Tron, so in that regard, it's popular here. I'll give you that. That doesn't translate to being popular in the grand scheme of things – or popular with your average moviegoer. Also, popular is not interchangeable with well liked.
Ask your average Joe/Jane on the street that isn't into vintage games what they think of Tron (The original, the remake, or the game) and the most likely answer you will get is: "What's Tron?"
Pretty much everybody here knows of Tron, so in that regard, it's popular here. I'll give you that. That doesn't translate to being popular in the grand scheme of things – or popular with your average moviegoer. Also, popular is not interchangeable with well liked.
Ask your average Joe/Jane on the street that isn't into vintage games what they think of Tron (The original, the remake, or the game) and the most likely answer you will get is: "What's Tron?"
TRK
New member
LUCKYMAN
New member
The original tron was ground breaking for computer games of today. The cgi in tron was the first time to ever see cgi in a movie. Everyone was playing atari and intellivision back in the day so to see polygon graphics on the big screen was amazing, games back in the didn't have them graphics. Today's games do
Put it to you this way my 20 something yearold friend. If it wasn't for the technology in tron ,playstation and xbox wouldn't exsit today.
Put it to you this way my 20 something yearold friend. If it wasn't for the technology in tron ,playstation and xbox wouldn't exsit today.
SeaWolf
Active member
someone needs derezzed
Im 38 and love tron so go hump the master control program you little conscripts !!
Im 38 and love tron so go hump the master control program you little conscripts !!
_sentient_
Active member
Amen! Unreal when that came out!
