by: Chris Eaton
A mega pack worth your dollars?
Much like my review of the Scott Pilgrim Blu-Ray, this feels like coming full circle with Tron Legacy. We here at the RealmCast have been covering this film since that first Comic Con footage was shown. The entire staff pretty much loved Tron Legacy. So when this huge DVD set made it into my hands, well, it was party time for the RealmCast gang.
The Tron Legacy/Tron five disc set is something to behold. If you’re a Tron fan, this fills every single Tron need that the human heart can desire. The first disc is Tron Legacy in 3D. Legacy being the first real film since Avatar to be shot in full 3D, the transfer makes that investment into a 3D TV worth while. The second disc, the blu-ray of Tron Legacy, is a jewel of DVD’s. First of all, the film looks spectacular. The film’s impressive visuals will knock you out in high def. Though, if you’re a film and DVD junkie, it’s the special features that will draw you to this set. Included are:
Visualizing Tron: An in depth look at creating the world of Tron Legacy. See how the filmmakers designed the unique world of Tron Legacy.
Installing the Cast: The cast talks about how they came on board and working on the film.
Launching the Legacy: The writers and director discuss creating Tron Legacy from the mythos of the original film.
Disc Roars: Filmed at the San Diego Comic Con. Director Joseph Kosinski gets all of Hall H to chant along to record the arena chants in the film
The Derezzed music video by Daft Punk.
First look at Tron Uprising, the new animated series coming to Disney XD that bridges the original Tron and Legacy.
The Next Day: Flynn Lives. A short film comprised of viral videos that explain what happened to Kevin Flynn after he disappeared. It also drops some possible hints to the potential third film.
Finally, if all of that isn’t enough. If you own an iPad or have a laptop readily available, the DVD includes the Disney Second Screen feature. If the hours of bonus material wasn’t enough, you can watch the film, and on you’re iPad or laptop, access hours upon hours of behind the scenes content. From story boards, concept art and making of videos, the Second Screen feature will keep you waist deep in the world of Tron Legacy for weeks.
Disc three is the standard DVD of the film
Disc four is your standard Digital copy to upload the film on to your iPod or Zune. For enjoyment on the road.
Disc five. This is the original Tron finally on Blu-ray. The transfer is pristine. It looks like it was filmed last week. If you never got around to picking up that special 20th anniversary edition of Tron almost ten years ago, fret no more. The transfer on Blu-ray is great, and the special features include a look back at the original film by the makers and cast of Tron Legacy, but there’s a wonderful featurette on the creator of Tron, Steven Lisberger and his son going to the Disney Archives. There, they pour through production photos and other material that the elder Lisberger hasn’t seen since the production of the film. We watch as Steven regales stories of making Tron to his grown son, who was only a wee child during production. I have never seen a more personal feature before on a major DVD release. It’s a wonderful look into making the classic Tron with a personal touch. This alone is worth picking up the DVD. Finally, to round everything out, all of the 20th anniversary DVD special features are included here as well.
As far as DVD’s go, this is a true gem. The set might be a wee bit pricey on the surface but the hours of content broken down make it a great deal. Tron Legacy is a rare film these days, and a rare sequel that only Disney could produce. You’d be hard pressed not to have this set among your DVD collection.
