Tron: Ares Review: Radically Empty Spectacle… But At Least It’s Very Pretty

by

As a longtime fan of *Tron*, I truly didn’t think we’d ever get another movie. Leading up to *Tron: Legacy* in 2010, Disney seemed a little embarrassed by the original 1982 film and hoped a sleek, updated sequel would revitalize the franchise. Unfortunately, the sequel didn’t quite succeed. While it made a decent amount of money worldwide, its high production costs and the negative reaction to the digital de-aging of Jeff Bridges left it with a reputation as a financial disappointment.

Tron: Ares

Here are the details for the film: It will be released on October 10, 2025, and is directed by Joachim Rønning. The screenplay is by Jesse Wigutow, and the film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges. It’s rated PG-13 for violence and action, and runs for 119 minutes.

For almost fifteen years, I didn’t expect much from a new Tron movie. But as a fan of the original and impressed by Legacy’s visuals and action, I remained hopeful about Joachim Rønning’s Tron: Ares. From what I’ve heard about the project, I’ve been anticipating another thrilling journey into the unique, digital world of The Grid. Plus, with technology becoming even more central to our lives, a new Tron film feels particularly relevant and offers a chance to explore modern themes.

I wasn’t expecting another *Tron* movie, so I was excited when *Tron 3* was announced. However, the final result left me feeling a little disappointed. The film delivers a visually stunning experience with impressive effects, exciting action sequences, stylish designs, and a fantastic soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails. Unfortunately, these strengths are undermined by a predictable plot and uninspired characters. Jared Leto’s performance, in particular, feels like a poor fit for his role.

Ignoring the events of *Tron: Legacy*, *Tron: Ares* jumps back into the story with a high-stakes competition between two powerful tech companies. Eve Kim (Greta Lee), the CEO of ENCOM, and Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), who leads Dillinger Systems, have both developed technology that can bring digital beings from The Grid into the real world. However, these creations have a limited lifespan – they can only exist for 29 minutes before disappearing.

Eve hopes to improve healthcare and food production with a powerful new technology, while Julian wants to use it for military purposes. Both need something called the Permanence Code to achieve their goals. Eve discovers the code, hidden by the previously missing Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), but Julian learns about it and sends his sophisticated security program, Ares (Jared Leto), to steal it from her.

Fitting the traditions of the franchise, Tron: Ares is a visual stunner with a score that ends up being the best thing about the movie.

As someone who really appreciates a movie with a well-thought-out world and a story that makes you think, *Tron: Ares* honestly left me feeling a little unsatisfied. It just didn’t quite deliver on those deeper levels. But, if you’re in the mood for something visually stunning – think a super cool, perfectly synchronized laser show – then you’re going to be absolutely blown away. It’s a feast for the eyes, for sure!

Joachim Rønning clearly aimed to include every type of action in this film – from motorcycles and jets to tanks, drones, boats, and even hand-to-hand fighting. The pace is quick, with one exciting sequence leading quickly into the next. The camera work is fast-paced and focuses on the actors’ faces, which makes the chases and fights feel more personal and thrilling. The visual effects are also outstanding, seamlessly combining digital imagery with practical effects better than any previous movie in the series.

A great laser light show needs music you can really *feel*, and Nine Inch Nails delivers that perfectly for this film. While Daft Punk’s score for *Tron: Legacy* was amazing, and set a high bar, Nine Inch Nails absolutely rises to the challenge. The powerful, driving beats and intense electronic sounds make every scene more impactful, and the music stays with you even after you’ve finished watching, helping to overcome a somewhat disappointing story.

The story Tron: Ares chooses to tell is insultingly basic.

Considering all the current concerns about the power of technology, I expected *Tron: Ares* to at least acknowledge these issues and offer some interesting commentary. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The film doesn’t take a position on anything and has no real message. The plot is incredibly simple, which you probably already guessed from how I described the hero and villain. Gillian Anderson plays the protagonist’s mother, and her only purpose is to tell him that his actions are unethical, simply reinforcing for the audience that he’s in the wrong.

Jesse Wigutow’s script relies too heavily on a simple plot and flat characters, failing to build any real tension or engaging relationships. Despite having talented comedic actors like Arturo Castro and Hasan Minhaj in the cast, the film lacks humor and doesn’t develop meaningful connections between the characters.

Jared Leto puts in a clunker of a performance playing a very vital role.

This is especially harmful to the film’s portrayal of Ares. Created by Julian Dillinger, he’s initially presented as a completely expendable soldier. However, as soon as he meets someone who doesn’t view him as disposable, he rebels against his programming and starts striving for a more meaningful existence beyond just being a set of instructions.

Beyond the fact that Jared Leto’s appearance – with long hair and a beard – didn’t suit the character, his performance lacked the emotional depth Ares required. He couldn’t convincingly portray moments like experiencing rain for the first time or expressing his feelings while listening to Depeche Mode. This lack of emotional range significantly hindered the movie and prevented it from reaching its full potential.

The *Tron* franchise has always been known for its impressive visuals and ambitious sequels (some would say *Tron: Legacy* helped start the trend of revisiting old franchises). However, *Tron: Ares* feels like a missed opportunity. It doesn’t try to say anything meaningful or offer a unique perspective, which suggests its impact will likely be limited to its visual spectacle – though at least it gave us a new Nine Inch Nails album!

Read More

2025-10-08 03:12