After 15 years the Tron series is back on the big screen with “Tron: Ares”. I have to admit, despite being a lover of both science fiction and action, I never fully latched onto the Tron movies. I’ve always admired their premise and strikingly unique visual style. But for whatever reason, neither the 1982 original “Tron” nor 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” pulled me in like other movies from a similar mold.
Next up is “Tron: Ares”, the third installment in this ambitious sci-fi action franchise and a standalone sequel to “Legacy”. It’s directed by Joachim Rønning (“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”) and written for the screen by Jesse Wigutow. Together they craft a visually bold and refreshing blockbuster that neither looks nor sounds like anything else on the big screen. Its only drawback is a surprisingly basic story that plays like a franchise’s attempt at reintroducing itself.
Since its beginning, the Tron franchise has transported audiences to a spectacular world called The Grid. It’s a visually stunning digital frontier populated by sentient programs who interact like their human counterparts. It was created by programmer and video game designer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who is digitized into The Grid during the first movie. In “Legacy”, Flynn’s son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) enters The Grid in search of his father.
That brings us to “Ares”, where The Grid has evolved and is now divided into sectors tied to major tech companies. As a result of the corporate rivalry between ENCOM and Dillinger Systems, the wall separating the digital and physical worlds has rapidly dissolved. Much of this due to Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), the CEO of Dillinger Systems and the grandson of Ed Dillinger (played by David Warner in the 1982 film). Julian is intent on restoring his grandfather’s legacy at any cost despite the warnings of his concerned mother Elisabeth (Gillian Anderson).
Julian’s latest breakthrough has him able to pull programs from his company’s sector of The Grid into real life (think 3D printing on steroids). State-of-the-art bikes, paragliders, armored vehicles, and his crown jewel, Ares (Jared Leto), a sophisticated and super-advanced AI soldier who is incredibly strong, highly intelligent, and utterly expendable. Julian is anxious to sell his tech to the highest bidder but he has one problem – he can’t keep his programs in the real world for more than 29 minutes.
Enter Eve Kim (Greta Lee), the current CEO of ENCOM who has taken the company’s reins following the death of her sister. Eve is determined to finish what her sister started which includes recovering the Permanence Code created and hidden by Kevin Flynn. The Permanence Code allows digital programs to exist in the real world indefinitely. And Eve knows bad things will happen if Dillinger Systems gets to it first. But Julian has a bigger problem once Ares begins questing his identity and purpose. His desire for independence sets in motion a much bigger conflict than spans both the digital and physical worlds.
Set to a pulse-pounding original soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails and jaw-dropping digital effects custom-made for the big screen, “Tron: Ares” is an exhilarating spectacle that dazzles both audibly and visually. It’s original premise and setting lends to a distinct style that energizes the action and well as the slick aesthetics. The performances also shine led by a spirited Greta Lee. A shrewdly reserved Leto makes Ares a fascinating mystery while Jodie Turner-Smith is fierce as his second in command. Jeff Bridges even returns in a small but welcomed spot.
Surprisingly though, the story is rather simple and underwhelming, with it playing out and finishing in a mostly conventional manner. There are very few highs or lows, and we get no real twists. That said, it does keep the audience constantly moving forward while nicely setting up the movie’s technical strengths – the stunning visuals, the cutting-edge action, and the sinister industrial grind of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score. A deeper narrative could have catapulted it higher. But even as it is, “Tron: Ares” is an electric experience that (as cliché as it may sound) demands to be seen on the big screen. “Tron: Ares” is in theaters now.
VERDICT – 3.5 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
As a huge fan of Tron, I liked this movie, but the narrative was the weakest part. In this day and age where AI is really starting to permeate our culture, Tron: Ares doesn’t actually do anything to move any discussion about AI forward a whole lot. That said, I really liked Jared Leto’s performance and his chemistry with Greta Lee. Those are the only two characters that really got any kind of character development. Visually, this movie is stunning. I love the sense of scale when the huge vehicles from The Grid get pulled into OUR world. The music’s also great, as you mentioned. My other gripe is that you need to have seen the original movie to understand some of what’s going on here. The movie’s fine, but Tron: Ares feels like a movie that’s a decade too late.
I overall agree with you. I did enjoy it quite a bit. I almost went with 4 stars for the sheer spectacle. I saw it on an XD screen with amazing sound. Amazing. You’re right though, the story isn’t nearly as deep as it could have been.
Keith, I love your review. Since I know the basic story, I read the whole thing before seeing it. Really makes me want to see it on the big screen.
Thanks so much. It’s REALLY worth seeing in the best theater possible.
You are welcome.
Jared Leto is the big red flag for me as he is why I will not see this as I just can’t stand him. I already have the soundtrack (though I’ve heard bits of it as I haven’t the time to listen and digest the whole album).
Leto is really good in this. And i love me some Great Lee. I just wish the story was weightier.
I watched Legacy based on the strength of hearing just the soundtrack, so this sounds like I might be following the same pattern 😀
The story isn’t bad, it’s just paper-thin. Go see it for the stunning visuals, futuristic action, and killer soundtrack. You’ll have a blast.
Just came back from seeing this one. So happy I saw it in the theatre, and so happy I had the chance to see it in Imax. Tightly-edited, well-paced movie. Storyline was indeed quite simple and straight-forward. I was worried there would be a lot of Matrix-type confusion, but I think they had an eye here on making it for as big an audience as possible i.e. kept it very easy to digest albeit being about AI and hi-tech. The Nine Inch Nails soundtrack is absolutely awesome – such a great choice. Loved Leto in this as well.
Glad you enjoyed it too. I really came close to giving it 4 stars. I thinks it’s worth that for the experience alone. Tempted to see it again before it leaves the big screen.
Tron 1982 was a breakthrough. I remember seeing it as a kid and being amazed by its imagination of a grid space with seemingly no exit. But not so much today especially after a movie like the Matrix.
I still really enjoyed this one, especially on the big screen. The audio and visual experience was nothing short of amazing.
They should’ve stopped after Tron: Legacy
I disagree. I enjoyed this one. Wish it had come sooner.
I’ve never been a Tronny so not much point in me seeing this.
Probably not. But it’s fun for those who do, although the box office numbers aren’t exactly breaking records.
I’m with you on Tron. Despite loving these type of movies too, I never got into it. I think my favorite thing about Tron in general is Daft Punk’s soundtrack they did for the sequel lol
Yep. I did enjoy this one though, mainly for the eye-popping big screen spectacle.