(Fig 1: Joseph Campbell - Theory of The Heroes Journey Model 1949)
'Tron' (1982) is an example of a film that follows the Hero's Journey. The Heroes Journey is a formula used in story telling that follows a main character on an adventure or quest, usually with an end goal. Tron starts in the Ordinary world which is outside of the computer system, however it can be argued that the ordinary world is within the computer system from Tron's perspective since he can also be considered a protagonist.
(Fig 2: 'Tron')
The main protagonist is Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who was considered that best at ENCOM. However, this ended when Flynn lost his job and had five of his video game ideas stolen by Ed Dillinger. Since then Flynn has been hacking ENCOM to find proof to support his claims but is halted by the Master Control Program (MCP). Dillinger and the MCP work together to stop Flynn from interfering, with the MCP even blackmailing Dillinger with information about his plagiarising Flynn's games if he does not comply with its directives. Flynn's friends who work at ENCOM find out that Dillinger is on to him and they go to his arcade to warn him.
(Fig 3: Movie Still)
This scene can act as the Call to adventure and the Refusal to call. Flynn's friend Alan informs him that he was working on a security program named 'Tron'. This gave Flynn the idea to use Tron to take over the MCP and get the proof he needed. However, it was the information that Dillinger is on to him that previously made him lose hope since it meant hacking ENCOM a lot harder. Flynn's Supernatural aid comes from his friends Alan and Lora who get him into the ENCOM building. Alan gives Flynn the Tron program and Lora gets Flynn to a computer in the experimental laser section of the building where she works.
(Fig 4: Movie Still)
When Flynn starts to hack into ENCOM's system, the MCP warns Flynn that he should stop. Flynn taunts the MCP, which starts to panic and resorts to using the experimental laser. This is when Flynn starts to cross the first threshold by being scanned into the computer system. It's arguable that the first threshold was entering the ENCOM building, but Flynn entering the system is where we the audience properly enter the world of 'Tron'. Once inside the system Flynn is mistaken as a "program", he now has entered the Belly of the whale and gets shoved into a prison cell with other computer programs. Flynn meets RAM who is in the cell next to him and he warns Flynn of the dangers within the system, then Flynn is called on to enter his first game. This is his road of the trials. Flynn faces off against a program and when told to kill the program after winning, he refuses. Sark, Dillinger's in system persona then kills the program anyway. After returning to his cell Flynn meets Ram again, but this time Tron is also there. Flynn plays along saying he is a program and the three of them decide to break out and defeat the MCP. The three enter a light cycle game against Sarks men, once they're all defeated Tron, Flynn and Ram break out and escape. Sarks men try to chase them but lose sight of the trio. The three stop and see the communicator, this will allow Tron to gain the information needed to defeat MCP.
(Fig 5: Movie Still)
That scene acts as Meeting the Goddess because it symbolises the end goal and once completed, better life. After this the three are pursued again by Sark and lose Ram in the process, Flynn and Tron are separated and both try to reach the communicator via different routes. the Ultimate boon occurs once Tron reaches the communicator to contact Alan, Alan then provides Tron with the ability to defeat the MCP. Flynn disguises himself as a henchman and when Sark catches up to Tron, Flynn joins Tron. Refusal of the return is when Sark continues to pursue Tron and Flynn, as well as those two continuing to the MCP. Once they reach MCP, Flynn gets separated again and Tron has his Magic flight with Sark in a one on one battle. Flynn manages to get back to Tron and jumps into the MCP, this is Rescue from without since it allows Tron to attack the MCP and defeats him.
Flynn gets scanned out the system after jumping into the MCP and Crosses the Return Threshold.
Now that know how to enter the system he has Mastered two worlds, also now that MCP is defeated Flynn has the proof he needs and then takes over ENCOM, Freedom to live.
NOTE: In hindsight I should have done 'Tron Legacy' for the Hero's Journey and then 'Tron' (1982) for the archetypes review for it to make sense. However, since I've done 'Tron' (1982) for the Hero's Journey, I'll use Legacy for my archetypes review.
Illustrations:
Fig 1: http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/Workshop-stuff/Joseph-Campbell-Hero-Journey.htm
Fig 2: http://www.mercwithamovieblog.com/2016/10/retro-review-tron-1982.html
Fig 3: http://greatlittle-knownmovies.blogspot.com/2018/03/agony-booth-review-tron-1982-part-2.html
Fig 4: http://tron.wikia.com/wiki/TRON_Universe
Fig 5: https://cartoonhd.care/film/tron
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