TRON: ARES is a visually stunning and immersive experience that uniquely combines light and sound. While some hardcore fans may be disappointed that the film doesn’t expand upon the Tron lore, the visual spectacle keeps you engaged throughout. The film does play up fan service, but perhaps not as much as some would prefer.
ARES is sent from The Grid to the real world on a mission, but the computer program goes rogue.
Unlike the previous installments, the plot is straightforward. Ares evolves into a sentient being who seeks to live and discover the secret to long life. The Pinocchio concept is easy to grasp, and the story sticks to the premise.
Interview: TRON: ARES' Arturo Castro fanboys over franchise
Director Joachim Ronning (MALEFICENT, YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA) keeps the plot simple, but visually intricate. The visual design is spectacular and beautiful on a big screen.
TRON: ARES takes a refreshing approach to nostalgia, offering audiences a new take on this familiar world. Jeff Bridges’ role is limited to a cameo midway through the film, but the cool light show and booming soundtrack keep your senses busy, allowing you to forget about Bridges’ absence.
The standout performance is Greta Lee as Eve Kim, a formidable character who uniquely outsmarts the villains.
Evan Peters continues the Dillinger legacy of competition as the evil genius.
Jodie Turner-Smith also delivers a solid performance as Athena, a program with a master control program that is more intriguing than Jared Leto’s ARES. Athena is stoic and follows orders as a program, while Leto acts more human than a generated being. While endearing as a character, the idea of the hero growing a conscious soon after its creation seems a bit far-fetched.
Jeff Bridges’ scenes are brief but serve as a way to return to the roots of the Tron world. Legacy fans will enjoy seeing the original Grid.
The plot is forward-moving and rarely involves the lore established in the first movie. It doesn’t delve deeply into the mythology and serves more as a standalone movie that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the franchise.
NIN’s soundtrack complements the thunderous sounds of the light show, but the theater’s sound systems were at times overbearing.
Overall, TRON: ARES succeeds as a dazzling sensory experience that reinvents the franchise’s aesthetic for a new generation, even if it leaves longtime fans craving more depth from its digital mythology.
