The movie Tron came out nearly 30 years ago and for a generation of kids (and adults) it was a thrilling tale of what might actually be going on inside our machines. For much of the public, the idea of computers had just entered their consciousness and the fantasy that a world existed within the chips and boards was mind-blowing. The distinctive visuals of the film had a groundbreaking impact – not only in the movie, but also in their lingering influence on the entertainment industry.
Fast forward a few decades and the decision was made to create a sequel. Tron: Legacy will be released in about a month’s time and its style pays homage to the 1982 film. Building on such a forward-looking visual tour de force was the first challenge and maintaining a similar atmosphere only added to the work that the Disney team had in front of them as they made their initial sketches of what Tron: Legacy would look like on the silver screen.
The Art of Tron: Legacy tells the story of how the visuals of the sequel came together. The book is packed full of concept artwork from both films, side-by-side comparisons of similar characters and elements, photos from the sequel and a compelling narrative that ties it all together. Within these pages, you’ll learn production details, thoughts from the various designers on why they made the choices they did and learn about an easter egg or two.
In one section dedicated to light cycles, director Joseph Kosinski speaks about his philosophy on designing the new cycles: “If you look at a 1982 Porsche and a 2010 Porsche, you instantly recognize that they are the same type of car; however, the 2010 Porsche is slick and modern with cleaner lines, and its technological advancements are evident.” (You can see more of Kosinski’s thoughts on the light cycle in a sample page after the break.)
This book is tough to put down. Each time you turn the page there’s another image that engages you and draws you deeper in. What’s more, co-producer Justin Springer’s text is bursting with wonderful trivia, facts and reasoning that keep you going. If you’re counting down the days until December 17, you will definitely want to check out The Art of Tron: Legacy.
Now if there was only a legal way to watch the original with our kids before the sequel came out…
Disclosure: Disney sent GeekDad a review copy of this book.
