The *Tron* franchise hasn’t really achieved mainstream success. While the original *Tron* (1982) made a profit and gained a dedicated fanbase, along with Oscar nominations and merchandise sales, Disney still considered it a disappointing start. *Tron: Legacy* (2010) had a much larger budget but performed moderately at the box office. However, it did have a significant cultural impact, popularizing its distinctive visual style, themes of virtual reality, and the iconic Daft Punk soundtrack, which earned both Grammy and Oscar nominations. Now, *Tron: Ares* is arriving, and it feels strangely unaware that it’s imitating the very innovative and forward-thinking spirit that made the original *Tron* special – almost as if it were created by artificial intelligence.
Tron: Ares Story Explained
The new film, *Tron: Ares*, continues the story established in previous films. Following the events of *Tron: Legacy*, Sam Flynn and the program Quorra vanish. Now, the Kim sisters are running ENCOM, but only Eve Kim rises to the top, surpassing the Flynn family’s long-time competitor, Dillinger Systems, led by Julian Dillinger. Julian has discovered a way to bring digital creations into the real world using a special laser, creating everything from food to weapons. He’s developed a powerful new AI program called Ares, along with his second-in-command, Athena, and uses them in constant battle simulations to win a massive military contract. However, his plans change when Eve Kim cracks the code to make these digital creations permanent, a breakthrough originally hidden by Kevin Flynn.
Julian takes a dark path to get what he wants, sending his AI army after Eve, leading to a thrilling chase. Meanwhile, a change within Ares comes to fruition: the “Permanence Code” offers a way to break free from Dillinger’s control and the endless loop of fighting, dying, and being reborn. Ares risks everything by defying its creator, protecting Eve, and helping her achieve her mission, hoping it will also ensure its own survival. But Ares’ betrayal doesn’t just anger Julian Dillinger; it also infuriates the programs Dillinger trained as soldiers. Athena is particularly offended and independently decides to escalate the conflict by bringing the Grid’s war into the real world.
Rating 2.5 out of 5 Stars
| PROS: | Visually Stunning, Killer Soundtrack |
| CONS: | Predictable Story, Weird Lead Performance from Jared Leto |
Tron: Ares Is A Paint-By-Numbers Blockbuster
“Tron: Ares” is a typical, somewhat empty blockbuster sci-fi action movie. The plot is very predictable, and the story doesn’t explore the interesting ideas it touches on – like artificial intelligence, love, and the dangers of powerful corporations. The acting is uneven; some performers, like Greta Lee, Arturo Castro, and Evan Peters, are engaging, while others, including Gillian Anderson and Jodie Turner-Smith, deliver surprisingly flat performances. Jared Leto is, as usual, a strange presence; his character, Ares, feels underdeveloped and mostly just stands there, even with some intriguing facial expressions. The idea of Ares “evolving” like Pinocchio doesn’t really go anywhere, and it’s especially odd when he starts talking about his love for Depeche Mode and 80s music. By the end, when Ares is seriously arguing that Depeche Mode is as important as Mozart, it’s hard to take the movie – or Leto’s performance – seriously at all.
Okay, so I just saw *Tron: Ares*, and honestly, you don’t need to be a genius to have fun with it! It feels less like a standalone movie and more like a really cool, extended trailer for the *Tron* theme park ride they’re probably building – and all the toys that will come with it. And you know what? It *works*. Joachim Rønning (who did one of the *Pirates of the Caribbean* movies) really delivers on the visual side. Disney clearly threw a *lot* of money – $180 million, apparently! – at making those iconic *Tron* visuals look amazing again. The soundtrack is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and it’s fantastic, but it’s a totally different vibe than Daft Punk’s stuff. It’s much darker and more intense, and the whole movie reflects that shift in tone. Whether that’s a good thing or not? That’s up for debate, but it definitely makes *Ares* stand out.
Tron: Ares Is Setting Up A Bigger Franchise to Come
More than anything, *Tron: Ares* demonstrates the potential for exciting weapons, vehicles, costumes, and action in future *Tron* movies, seamlessly blending digital and real-world elements. The film’s ending and post-credit scene suggest that *Tron* is intended to become a more ongoing blockbuster series. It needs to be, because the increasing presence of real-world AI could eventually make the franchise feel outdated.
The new movie, *Tron: Ares*, is now showing in theaters and in premium formats like IMAX. It’s rated PG-13 for some violence and action. Join the discussion about the film on our ComicBook Forum!
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2025-10-11 00:40