The Tron franchise, known for its iconic digital world, returns to theaters in a new era dominated by AI. This third installment, Tron: Ares, acknowledges the challenge of its return, presenting itself as a dazzling audio-visual experience. Director Joachim Rønning delivers a maximalist spectacle, fully aware that the story takes a backseat to the stunning visuals and immersive sound. The Grid remains the true star, captivating audiences’ senses.
Moving away from Tron: Legacy‘s atmospheric bio-digital jazz, Rønning offers a more aggressive and dynamic experience in Ares. The film abandons Joseph Kosinski’s reflective exploration of cyberspace in favor of an intense sensory assault, immersing viewers so completely it feels like being pulled directly into the digital world.
Tron: Ares (English)
The story unfolds years after Sam Flynn’s disappearance, with two powerful tech companies vying for control. On one side is ENCOM, led by the visionary Eve Kim (Greta Lee), and on the other, Dillinger Systems, headed by the ambitious Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), who seeks to replicate digital entities. Their conflict centers on the “permanence code,” a crucial discovery that could allow digital creations to exist indefinitely in the real world, far beyond their current fleeting existence.
While the film’s core conflict is clear, the script by Jesse Wigutow often makes the stakes feel uninspired and frustrating. Despite a 15-year gap since the last installment, the screenplay feels underdeveloped, lacking the essence that made earlier Tron films compelling. However, the weak dialogue is easily overshadowed, as the film delivers an experience that transcends its narrative flaws.
This is where Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross shine. Unlike Daft Punk’s iconic, elegant electronic score for Legacy, Nine Inch Nails infuses Ares with a raw, industrial pulse that electrifies the Grid. Each scene—from high-speed chases to explosive sequences and dazzling neon light displays—is perfectly synchronized with this intense, synth-driven soundscape. The score creates a deeply physical, immersive experience, turning what might have been a generic CGI spectacle into an unforgettable cinematic event that vibrates through you, especially in IMAX.
The film’s visual feast is constant. Rønning’s direction maintains a relentless pace, ensuring every frame is engaging. Lightcycles blaze with neon intensity, Recognizers tower like menacing structures, and thrilling sequences with wingsuits, tanks, and assassin droids on the Sea of Simulation are presented from dynamic, stylized angles. The movie masterfully blends the classic Grid aesthetics that captivated fans with a bold, almost rebellious, postmodern visual approach, evolving the franchise’s distinct DNA.
Jared Leto delivers a more subdued and purposeful performance as the titular program, Ares. Initially Julian’s loyal soldier, Ares begins to evolve after experiencing simple human touches like a raindrop or a firefly, hinting at a growing self-awareness. While his journey toward digital consciousness evokes themes found in Blade Runner, its progression is somewhat foreseeable. Leto’s calm, measured portrayal, despite ongoing public discussions about his personal life, makes his character compelling to watch.
The movie attempts to touch upon philosophical ideas concerning human ambition and the blurred lines between artificial and organic existence, but these themes often feel borrowed and superficially explored from other science fiction works. However, Tron: Ares prioritizes dazzling its audience over deep introspection. Rønning skillfully uses an overwhelming sensory spectacle to divert attention from these underdeveloped narrative elements, making their shortcomings less significant.
A still from ‘Tron: Ares’
| Photo Credit:
Disney
A highlight occurs when Ares is transported into a vibrant, retro ’80s world, a clear homage to the original film. This moment beautifully reminds viewers why Tron has such a passionate cult following. Here, Jeff Bridges delivers a brief yet poignant cameo as Kevin Flynn. His interaction with Ares, marked by subtle wisdom and a quiet acknowledgment of the program’s dawning consciousness, adds a surprising layer of sincerity.
After Legacy, the franchise faced the danger of fading into obscurity, but Ares successfully injects it with new life. While the script can be weak, the characters somewhat generic, and the dialogue occasionally awkward, these flaws don’t prevent the film from being a must-see experience. Rønning’s dynamic, intelligent direction and Nine Inch Nails’ powerful, visceral score combine to forge a truly immersive cinematic event that far surpasses its narrative shortcomings.
The Tron series has always resonated with its unique, nostalgic “bio-digital jazz” aesthetic. Ares takes this feeling, “derezzed” it, and reimagines it as an energetic, corporeal grunge experience. Ultimately, the film doesn’t aim to spark profound discussions about AI, identity, or mortality. Instead, it delivers a high-octane, acid-rock rave, hoping its dazzling light show and raw energy will be what audiences remember. This movie demands to be seen loud, on the biggest screen possible, allowing its sheer force to overwhelm you.
Tron: Ares is currently running in theatres