The new film “Tron: Ares,” directed by Joachim Rønning, hit theaters last weekend, and as a longtime fan of the Tron franchise, I was eager to see it. I grew up watching “Tron: Legacy” on Disney XD, dreaming of riding those sleek, glowing light cycles. With popcorn in one hand and a half-Coca-Cola, half-cherry slushy in the other, I was ready to relive that childhood excitement. But I left the theater with a half-eaten bowl of popcorn, the last dregs of my slushy, and a sense of disappointment.
From the outset, “Tron: Ares” faced an uphill battle. Casting Jared Leto as the lead was a controversial move, and unfortunately, the film never quite escapes that shadow. While the original “Tron” (1982) was a groundbreaking cult classic—pushing the boundaries of computer graphics and exploring the then-nascent world of digital technology—and “Tron: Legacy” managed to build on that legacy with style and substance, “Ares” feels like a misstep.
The plot centers on Ares (Jared Leto), a state-of-the-art AI created by the CEO of Dillinger Systems. Sent into the real world on an espionage mission, Ares is designed to be the perfect soldier but can only maintain his physical form for 29 minutes. As humanity’s first encounter with advanced AI beings, Ares begins to question his purpose, especially as he grows closer to rival CEO Eve Kim (Greta Lee). While the premise holds promise, the execution falls flat. The story is painfully predictable, with familiar themes and emotional beats that fail to resonate.
Much of the narrative hinges on the audience connecting with Ares, but the film offers only fleeting glimpses of his internal conflict. His journey toward self-awareness is rushed and underdeveloped, making it hard to invest in his character. We see him briefly ponder the concept of feelings, but the film quickly moves on before those moments can land emotionally. This lack of depth makes it difficult to care about Ares or the stakes of his mission.
A side quest that takes Ares into the original Tron world feels like a nostalgic detour rather than a meaningful addition to the plot. It adds little to the story and seems more like a nod to longtime fans than a necessary narrative element. This reliance on past glories, recycled themes, and visuals underscores the film’s struggle to find its own identity. Instead of pushing the franchise forward, “Tron: Ares” feels like it’s stuck in the past, retelling old stories with a new coat of paint.
That said, “Tron: Ares” isn’t without merit. Visually, it’s stunning. The iconic light cycle sequences are executed brilliantly, and the film’s aesthetic remains true to the franchise’s legacy. The digital environments are sleek and immersive, and the visual effects are top-tier. The hand-to-hand combat scenes, while brief, are well-choreographed and add some excitement to the otherwise slow-moving plot.
The soundtrack, composed by Nine Inch Nails, is a standout. Their electrifying score pulses through the film, elevating even the most lackluster scenes. The music is mixed seamlessly throughout, rattling your teeth in all the right ways and giving the film a much-needed energy boost.
Ultimately, “Tron: Ares” tries to do everything right but ends up doing very little well. It lacks the innovation and emotional depth that made its predecessors memorable. The film feels like it was made more out of obligation than inspiration, and it doesn’t offer a compelling reason for its existence. For fans of the franchise, it may be worth a watch for the visuals and music alone, but don’t expect to walk away feeling the same awe and wonder that Tron once inspired.