Tron changed cinema and predicted the future of tech (2022)

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In 1982, computers were either large military-industrial machines or arcade games like Space Invaders.
Steven Lisberger's Tron (1982) was a visionary sci-fi film that anticipated modern issues like AI, digital identity, and the metaverse.
Tron was the first movie to use extensive CGI (15 minutes), paving the way for modern digital filmmaking.
Despite its futuristic look, much of Tron was hand-crafted using old-school techniques.
The film's plot involves a programmer digitized into a cyber-world to fight an AI overlord, reflecting the democratization of computing power.
Tron's development coincided with Xerox PARC's innovations, including the GUI, which inspired Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.
Disney, seeking innovation, backed Tron, blending live action, animation, and CGI in a technically challenging production.
Tron underperformed at the box office but influenced filmmakers like James Cameron and John Lasseter.
The film's legacy includes sequels, a rollercoaster, and its role in the rise of CGI and Pixar.
Lisberger reflects on Tron's idealism, contrasting its utopian vision with the darker realities of modern digital culture.

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