Tron: Ares

“Tron: Ares,” released in October, is a visually amazing and immersive experience that smartly combines light and sound. While some hardcore fans may be disappointed that the film doesn’t expand on the Tron story, the visual spectacle keeps you engaged throughout. Lupe R Haas said in his review, “The film does play up fan service, but perhaps not as much as some would prefer.”

Ares is sent from The Grid to the real world on a mission, but the computer program goes scoundrel.

Unlike the previous films, the plot is straightforward. Ares evolves into a feeling person who wants to live and discover the secret to a long life. Haas described, “The Pinocchio concept is easy to grasp, and the story sticks to the premise.”

Director Joachim Ronning keeps the story simple, but visually complex. The visual design is spectacular and beautiful on a big screen.

Haas credited, “TRON: ARES takes a refreshing approach to nostalgia, offering audiences a new take on this familiar world. Jeff Bridges’ role is limited to a cameo midway through the film, but the cool light show and booming soundtrack keep your senses busy, allowing you to forget about Bridges’ absence.”

The standout performance is Greta Lee as Eve Kim, a formidable character who cleverly outsmarts the villains.

Evan Peters continues the Dillinger legacy of competition as the evil genius.

Jodie Turner-Smith also delivers a good performance as Athena, a program with a master control program that is more engaging than Jared Leto’s Ares. Haas said, “Athena is stoic and follows orders as a program, while Leto acts more human than a generated being. While endearing as a character, the idea of the hero growing a conscious soon after its creation seems a bit far-fetched.”

Jeff Bridges’ scenes are short but is there as a way to return to the roots of the Tron realm. Legacy fans will enjoy seeing the original Grid.

The plot moves forward and rarely involves the story established in the first movie. It doesn’t dive deeply into the lore and serves more as a standalone movie that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the franchise.

Haas said, “NIN’s soundtrack complements the thunderous sounds of the light show, but the theater’s sound systems were at times overbearing.”

Overall, “Tron: Ares” succeeds as a great sensory experience that reinvents the franchise’s visual for a new generation, even if it leaves longtime fans wanting more depth from its digital lore.

Former “The Daily Show” correspondent and comedian Hasan Minhaj is in here too. I’m not a hardcore fan of the “Tron” franchise, but this one I found myself thoroughly enjoying this film when I saw it in the theaters. I thought it was a great film to get into and I think people should see this one. I know people were not fond of the last film, but this one I think you will like. It may not be anyone’s favorite, but I think you will at least enjoy it. If you missed the chance to see this in the theaters, then see this on Disney+ or wherever it is streaming. Give it a watch and judge it based on your own opinion.

Tomorrow I will be ending “Disney Month 2025” with the latest film that came out last month. I will be seeing that later today, so expect a review on that tomorrow, as it is one of my most anticipated films to watch this year.