Glowing red, holograms and futuristic-synths dominate our screens and brains once more with “Tron: Ares” (2025). Made over a decade from “Tron: Legacy” (2010), the sequel to the even older “Tron” (1982), “Tron: Ares” brings the futuristic aesthetic of its predecessors backed by the franchise’s iconic electronic soundtrack. Mostly removed from the previous plot and cast of characters, “Tron: Ares” introduces the world straight away, setting up a classic good vs evil plot.
The movie follows ENCOM CEO Eve Kim (Greta Lee), who becomes the protagonist, and Dillinger Systems’ AI defense system, Ares (Jared Leto), as they go up against Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), the CEO of Dillinger Systems and Ares’ creator. Where the first two movies revolved around users entering into Game Grid, in “Tron: Ares,” they enter into the real world. The themes of artificial intelligence and its relationship with humanity run strong in the film as they cross. And, they bring the famous Tron lightcycles, a two-wheeled motorcycle-like vehicle that produces light ribbons in their wake, as well.
However, despite the marketable nostalgia that director Joachim Rønning and Disney inject into the movie, it is not without its flaws. The main lies in the fact that “Tron: Ares,” unlike “Tron: Legacy” and “Tron,” leaves one of the most endearing aspects of the franchise for the sake of the plot. Specifically, it forgets what made Legacy impressive in the first place: its otherworldly CGI and setting.
It is not that “Tron: Ares” lacks in special effects and visuals, quite the opposite, actually. There are numerous scenes from the sparks that fly during the construction of Dillinger’s mercenary group of artificial soldiers and weaponry, to the light waves that follow each swing of futuristic weaponry and tech. However, placed in a realistic city setting, the CGI actually dulls as it becomes another struggle to make make-believe objects believable.
The older films were impressive at the time because of the video game grid setting and how they allowed the effects to be dramatic, yet believable for an artificial world. “Tron: Ares” is less escapist and less fantastical because, realistically, reality is just not as shiny. It also does not help that the slow motion employed during action scenes packs less of an emphasis and more just an awkward pause.
Though the movie has endured numerous criticisms, it certainly does not deserve all that has been said about it. The pacing, storyline and performances, especially the conflict between Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) and his mother, played by Gillian Anderson, flesh out the villain’s driving motives and intent. Watchers are even given a way-back call to the original 1982 film with Ares riding in an original lightcycle in all of its poorly rendered, retro glory. Fans of the franchise are also treated to the return of actor Jeff Bridges, playing Kevin Flynn, now aged/un-CGI-ed from “Tron: Legacy”.
Furthermore, succeeding original movie soundtrack composers “Daft Punk” are the equally welcome rock band “Nine Inch Nails”. The members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross include more electronic and no orchestral elements, with a more sinister undertone to match the glowing red of the antagonists. The background hits right where it is intended and does a phenomenal job at boosting the anticipation and adrenaline of the action.
Yet, one cannot watch “Tron: Ares” without acknowledging the Jared Leto-shaped elephant in the room. Famously infamous coming off the internet meme of a movie, “Morbius” (2022), it is hard to understand the casting decision of Leto as Ares. Though his performance was not all too jarring and offered good chemistry with co-star Greta Lee, it is hard to ignore the fact that he is a producer on “Tron: Ares”.
Despite the back-and-forth discussions and currently 53% Rotten Tomatoes, it can be noted that “Tron: Legacy” was also not well received, yet it remains a cult classic today. Despite the low Rotten Tomatoes score, the audience score reflects a different picture at 86% on the Popcornmeter. So, potential viewers certainly need to take reviews and criticisms of the film with a grain a salt and find out for themselves whether the third addition to the glowing world built by the franchise is for them.
