Tron: Ares

TRON: ARES could be the most “IMAX” movie I have ever seen. To watch it on anything else would be like listening to Metallica’s Black Album on a close-and-play. It is a visually stunning journey that even has a small plot for those interested.

Synopsis: A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission. | 2h | Rated PG-13 for violence/action

This is the third film in the Tron franchise which started in 1982, picked up in 2010, and now lets us onto the grid in 2025. If you are worried that so much time between films would cause plot holes no need to worry. Other than a few referenced characters and the TRON “world” this film has little or no connection. You could go into this one as a stand alone and be just as lost as those who have seen them all.

If you go for the plot the same way you just want to read the articles then this one is a bit loosey goosey. Basically two rival tech companies are working hard to find a hidden code that Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) created for AI creation. Even with very little knowledge of these companies it is clear who wants it for good and who wants it for power and cash.

Eve Kim (Greta Lee) loves the idea of a sustainable creation that could feed the poor and cure disease. Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) wants to create war machines that are unstoppable and obey their master; him. This film is a race to see who can get it first.

In the middle of this battle is an AI program called Ares (Jared Leto). Ares was created by Julian but at some point developed feelings and reason. Ares uses this conflict to try and get to the reason he is. Or something like that. To be honest it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that he looks super cool on the light cycles zooming through town.

It is the first time the Tron world has come to us instead of us going in there. This adds some cool layers to the effects and action. The Tron cycles are impressive and they are what gives the film any chance of engagement. Yes some of the discussion are important about AI and what it means. But for an action film in IMAX it is all about the sights and sounds.

We get a lot of that here. If you want to look at it as a 2-hour NIN music video, that works great too. They supplied the soundtrack and it fits perfectly with the fast action and red lights that illuminate Ares and all the tech gear Julian has created. The last act is the strongest and makes up for the weak character development earlier on.

As for characters everyone is solid in this one. I feel like casting Jared Leto was smart. If you are going to create a dominate AI program person you might as well make it beautiful. His ability to play someone who seems to be pondering every moment is believable. Another strong performance is Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena. Athena is another program that is Ares right hand warrior. I was getting Wakanda vibes from the start and it was a good feeling.

For fans of Tron, Sci-Fi, and gaming it is a must see. It really is a spectacle to behold on the big screen. When you see it please find the biggest and loudest theater you can. I am not sure this will hold up on a small screen. If it has any life it is on a large scale.

TRON: ARES is rated PG-13 and the first Tron film not rated PG. The 13 rating makes sense for some of the battle sequences and themes. Still there is not one thing in this that is objectionable or made for those over 11 or 12. If anything your younger viewers may have a hard time keeping up with or engaging with the plot. Which I could say for some older viewers as well who aren’t just gaga over the tech gaming world.

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Matt Mungle

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