INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Tron: Ares. Please note that this is just one of the many movies I will have watched each year, and my initial grade for this film may change over time, for better or worse. To stay up to date on my thoughts about other movies and any potential changes in my opinion on this one, follow me on Letterboxd.
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PLOT
Via Letterboxd: A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
REVIEW
Back in 1982, when computers and video games were still a foreign concept to swathes of Americans and viewed as the wonder technologies of the future, TRON hit theaters in July of that year. It received mixed-to-positive reviews and performed decently at the box office, though it fell short of Disney’s expectations. Over time, however, the film built a loyal cult following and cemented itself as a mid-tier classic of the eighties.
Nearly three decades later, in 2010, Disney dusted off the concept in TRON: Legacy, a legacy sequel arriving 28 years after the original. Released in a world where computers and gaming had become part of everyday life, the film opened solidly and received similar mixed-to-positive reactions from critics and audiences alike.
Now, fifteen years later, Disney returns once more to this franchise with TRON: Ares, a film releasing in a world where we carry computers in our pockets via smartphones. Yet, I can’t help but feel that this second legacy sequel doesn’t have the same “event” energy that Legacy did. Disney, who typically holds press screenings in my market, didn’t have one for this release. The box office projections as of this writing aren’t looking stellar, and the reviews haven’t broken the ceiling set by the previous two films.
For my part, I’d only ever caught fragments of the original TRON on TV growing up, and I skipped Legacy entirely when it released. But with a new entry on the horizon, I decided it was finally time to fill that blind spot. So I watched the 1982 film, followed by the 2010 sequel, before heading to my local theater on a Thursday evening to catch the latest installment.
Sticking strictly to the focus of this review, TRON: Ares, I can confidently report that, like its predecessors, it’s an absolute feast for the senses. It remains baffling to me that none of these films have ever received an Oscar nomination for visual effects, because this one once again delivers a dazzling experience for the eyes. If visuals are what matter most to you, if you value aesthetic and technical spectacle over narrative depth, this film absolutely delivers. From the opening frame to the final moment, the work from the VFX artists is nothing short of outstanding and deserves real recognition.
The film’s score and soundtrack are also superb, powered by none other than Nine Inch Nails. The TRON series has always excelled in this department, and this one’s no exception; the soundtrack will almost certainly make my personal ballot, and the score might, too.
That said, as visually and sonically astounding as this movie is, it still needs a story and characters to ground it; and that’s where Ares falters, just like its predecessors. The plot feels bloated, the third act overstays its welcome, and the characters could all use a bit more refinement. The villains, meanwhile, veer between being overly theatrical or downright dull.
Still, I didn’t dislike this film as much as some of my colleagues did. There are glimmers of potential that held my attention. Ares himself has an interesting arc, and Jared Leto (begrudging as I am to admit it) gives his best performance in quite some time, though the bar is admittedly low. Greta Lee’s character, Eve, shows early promise but loses momentum about an hour in. The rest of the cast, Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and even a somewhat forced cameo from Jeff Bridges, do what they can with middling material.
Ultimately, TRON: Ares isn’t going to win over new fans. It’s a TRON movie through and through - stunning visuals, incredible music, but lacking in standout storytelling and character work. Reception so far has been mixed, and I get why I’ve seen some rough reviews. But for my part, even with its flaws, I was just entertained enough to give it a soft B–.
“TL;DR”
Pros: Delivers the same amazing visuals and sound that you can expect from a TRON film; A feast of the senses for those who are obsessed with the technical parts of filmmaking
Cons: Suffers from the same problems past TRON films have in lacking a better and more even story, character arcs, and pacing
GRADING
