Tron Music Documentary
- Lukas Kendall
- Dec 9, 2025
- 1 min read
Was Tron ever cool? I remember in the ’80s it was this kind of also-ran sci-fi movie that had a unique look and cool concept—but dramatically, was pretty inert.
It was this sort of intriguing flop that we’d revisit once in a while. I never would have pegged it as a franchise, but Disney has tried anyway, and, well, zzzzzzz.
The original Wendy Carlos score is super cool and here’s a video on it which I enjoyed:
It comes from a unique point in time when mixing synthesizers with orchestra was a pretty big technical challenge. I always liked it.
I saw it in the theater and was bored stiff--even the score seemed just weird. I can remember the exact moment when I wanted to turn to my then-girlfriend and say "Let's go," it was when the 'sailer' took off. One of those scores I own on vinyl that I APPRECIATE but don't enjoy.
Lukas thank you for this! I’ll answer your question, yes Tron was indeed cool to this 10 year old. I ate it up. And although it lacks what we adults consider strong dramatic narrative, for me even now, none of that matters. It’s an 80s album or magazine cover come to life. The setpieces are astonishing and there’s good guys taking down a corporate regime, which is good enough for me.
The video reminds me of what a treasure this score is. There is nothing else like it, nor will there ever be. I simultaneously lament that Wendy Carlos didn’t have a huge film music career to follow, but at the same time I’m not sure she could’ve ever bee…