Tron: Ares will be taking over movie theaters in just a few days, but anxious movie fans now have some idea of what to expect from the new sci-fi action blockbuster. The highly anticipated continuation of 1982’s Tron and 2010’s Tron: Legacy, Ares is directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges.
While Tron has historically revolved around the digital world of the Grid, the new installment will focus on AI soldiers from the digital world entering the real one. Tron: Ares’ wide release begins on October 10, and its marketing promises a thrilling, visually spectacular experience that continues to push the special effects involved with this story.
The new vision for the Tron saga, which tackles modern conceptions of AI while delivering an electric mise-en-scène, has gotten through to some critics. Rachel Leishman says simply: “TRON: ARES rips.” The critic also praises Lee’s character, specifically as being able to carry on the Tron legacy:
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On the other hand, while viewers seem to agree that the visual aspects are amazing, they say the overall story is weak. @wondermeg_ says “the rest of the film is just okay,” with a “clunky & uneven” script, though praising some of the performances:
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Peter Sciretta agrees with the latter, saying that “Tron Ares is visually stunning” but that “the movie’s plot is extremely dumb.” Notably, this reviewer’s advice is that if people do want to see Tron: Ares, despite its flaws, “IMAX 3D is a must“:
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For @HeyChalice, the movie’s strengths are more than enough to make it “ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!!!!!” While this post doesn’t exactly address the reported shortcomings, it agrees on a lot of the same high points, namely the visuals and performances. This X user is also not the only one to praise Nine Inch Nails’ score:
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Interestingly, however, @JacobTalks4ever again compliments some things about Tron: Ares but actually says that its rendition of the Grid is “blander” than in Tron: Legacy:
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@JRParham also makes a comparison between Tron: Ares and the movie that came before it, criticizing both installments as “vapid and inept“:
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Brandon Davis discusses more about how different parts of the story work, arguing that the middle is actually well-written, but admitting it still gets “bogged” down in the third act:
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What These Reactions Mean For Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares has at least entirely succeeded in living up to the visual demands of the franchise, when the concept has always allowed for some of the most groundbreaking and breathtaking special effects. What everyone agrees on is that Tron: Ares looks and sounds amazing, delivering on what was promised in the trailer once the full action sequences are witnessed by viewers.
Ares is also apparently getting a boost from some strong talents who have entered the spotlight relatively recently, namely Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith. However, the new Tron movie is clearly banking on a visually compelling but not too deep action thriller being appealing enough to audiences when the story has some problems.
I also noticed that none of these reviews has anything to say about how the movie portrays AI, suggesting that any commentary it might offer in this regard is superficial. Official critics and audience scores have yet to come in for Tron: Ares, but while it will be enjoyed by a select audience, it doesn’t seem to be anything remarkable in the grand scheme of things.
