Tron Ares Review – A Visually Stunning Yet Emotionally Hollow Threequel
Introduction – The Return to the Grid
After 15 years, Disney reboots its neon-soaked cyber universe with Tron: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Evan Peters, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith. Released on October 9 in Australia and October 10 in the US and UK, the film promised to merge cutting-edge visual effects with thought-provoking AI commentary. Unfortunately, what we got was a gorgeous but soulless spectacle — a digital echo of the original’s brilliance.
A Brief Recap of the Tron Legacy
The original Tron (1982) revolutionized visual storytelling by blending computer graphics with live-action at a time when CGI was in its infancy. The 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy, expanded that world with breathtaking effects and Daft Punk’s legendary score. Both films shared one thing: a sense of digital wonder.
Tron: Ares, however, trades that pioneering spirit for over-polished imagery and an undercooked narrative, leaving long-time fans craving the charm of the old grid.
The Plot – From the Virtual Grid to Reality
The story picks up in a post-Legacy timeline where the Encom Corporation, founded by Jeff Bridges’ Kevin Flynn, is now overshadowed by a rival tech giant, Dillinger Systems. Run by the grandson of Encom’s original villain, Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), this new AI empire has found a way to export digital creations into the physical world — a dangerous blend of science fiction and corporate greed.
Greta Lee’s Eve Kim, CEO of Encom, guards the mysterious “permanence code” that can make virtual entities exist indefinitely. Julian wants it, and to get it, he sends Ares (Jared Leto) — a humanoid AI capable of crossing into the real world for 29 minutes — to retrieve it.
However, as with most tales of artificial intelligence, Ares begins questioning his mission, his identity, and his humanity, setting up a philosophical confrontation that the screenplay sadly never fully explores.
Performances – A Mixed Bag of Energy and Emptiness
Jared Leto as Ares – A Hipster Hero or a Hollow Shell?
Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares feels like an experiment gone wrong. With his hipster mane, soft-spoken detachment, and knowing smirk, Leto seems designed by AI to embody the term “annoyingly enigmatic.” His performance aims for depth but lands somewhere between parody and apathy. The moments meant to show Ares’ empathy — such as his fascination with Depeche Mode — feel more like memes than meaningful insights.
Supporting Cast – Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jeff Bridges
Greta Lee gives a stoic yet underutilized performance as Eve Kim, while Evan Peters’ Julian Dillinger injects moments of dark humor before the script smothers his charisma. Jodie Turner-Smith’s Athena steals brief glimmers of intrigue as Ares’ second-in-command, though she’s trapped in wooden dialogue.
And then there’s Jeff Bridges, reprising Kevin Flynn in a brief, white-robed cameo — more Jedi ghost than digital pioneer. His appearance feels less nostalgic and more like an afterthought.
Direction and Writing – When Innovation Fails to Inspire
Despite its potential, Tron: Ares suffers from bland pacing and emotionless writing. The script’s attempt at moral complexity — questioning AI consciousness and digital ethics — is buried under exposition and glossy visuals. It’s a film that talks about innovation but rarely practices it.
Visuals and CGI – Eye Candy Without a Soul
To its credit, Ares is a visual masterpiece. The sleek neon architecture, futuristic vehicles, and laser-lit battles are mesmerizing. But like an overproduced music video, the aesthetic eventually numbs the senses. The visual design lacks the tactile charm and warmth that made Tron (1982) so groundbreaking.
Music and Sound Design – Synthwave Without Substance
The Tron franchise has always thrived on music — from Wendy Carlos’s electronic symphonies to Daft Punk’s iconic score. Sadly, Ares replaces emotional resonance with generic synth beats. The result is a soundscape that feels mechanical rather than moving.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Stunning visuals and production design | Weak narrative and emotional disconnect |
| Occasional humor from Evan Peters | Jared Leto’s unconvincing performance |
| Futuristic concept of AI crossing realities | Pacing issues and lack of tension |
| Nostalgic callbacks to classic Tron | Underused supporting cast |
Audience Reception and Critical Response
Early reviews have labeled Tron: Ares a “pointless threequel” — a stylish but empty follow-up to its predecessors. Fans of the franchise are divided: some appreciate the ambitious visuals, while others lament the hollow storytelling and lack of innovation.
Final Verdict – A Flickering Light in a Dying Grid
Tron: Ares looks like the future but feels like the past — a cinematic paradox that shines too bright and means too little. Despite moments of visual splendor, the film never captures the spark of its predecessors.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) – A stunningly rendered but emotionally void reboot that proves not every code needs rewriting.
FAQs About Tron: Ares (2025)
1. Who directed Tron: Ares?
Joachim Rønning directed the film, known for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
2. Is Tron: Ares connected to Tron: Legacy?
Yes, it follows the Legacy timeline, with references to Kevin Flynn and Encom’s digital legacy.
3. What is the permanence code?
It’s a fictional digital key allowing virtual entities to exist permanently in the real world.
4. Does Jeff Bridges have a major role?
No. He only appears briefly in a symbolic, cameo-style sequence.
5. What’s the release date of Tron: Ares?
October 9, 2025, in Australia and October 10, 2025, in the UK and US.
6. Is there post-credit content hinting at a sequel?
There’s a subtle tease suggesting the grid might not be gone forever — but audiences may not care to return.
Conclusion
Tron: Ares is a cinematic paradox — visually electrifying yet emotionally disconnected. It attempts to fuse human empathy with machine logic but ends up lost in its own digital labyrinth. For diehard fans, it’s worth watching once for nostalgia’s sake; for everyone else, the grid may have finally short-circuited.
External Link:
For a full comparison of Tron: Ares and its predecessors, visit The Guardian’s Tron Review Series.
