The 1982 film Tron remains one of the most iconic science fiction movies ever made. Audiences were amazed by its groundbreaking special effects, which depicted a young Jeff Bridges’ character being digitally transported into a glowing neon computer mainframe. While the visual aspects of the original Tron captivated viewers, the storytelling was less impressive, an issue that has persisted throughout the franchise’s history.
This brings us to Tron: Ares, a sequel released 15 years after the poorly received Tron: Legacy. It is considered an unnecessary blockbuster follow-up and has been criticized as one of the worst films of the year by many critics. The film opens with a lengthy catch-up montage that sets up the current storyline. Today, two major corporations are competing for the ‘Permanence code,’ a technology capable of turning 3D laser-printed objects into living entities.
In the blue corner, we have the good guys, led by Greta Lee, known for her role in Past Lives, and her comedic sidekick, Arturo Castro, who enjoys eating breakfast burritos. In the red corner, the antagonists are led by Evan Peters, playing a bratty coder, and his mother, Gillian Anderson, a formidable figure who has created a private army of AI soldiers armed with laser frisbees.
Commanding this group is the titular Ares, played by Jared Leto, along with his deputy Athena, portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith. These soldiers can jump into the real world but only exist for 29 minutes before needing to be reborn. Ares is increasingly frustrated with this limitation, and given the movie’s lessons, it’s clear that angering an elite, assassin-trained AI is not advisable.
Key Details About Tron: Ares
- Director: Joachim Rønning
- Writer: David DiGilio, Jesse Wigutow
- Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jeff Bridges
- Age Rating: 12A
- Run Time: 119 minutes
- Release Date: Available in UK cinemas from October 10
Ares asks Peters, “Who am I?” His creator corrects him, saying, “Not ‘who?’ – but ‘what?’” A more accurate response would be, “Who cares?” There is absolutely nothing engaging about this hollow, dull, airless, and sexless movie. The special effects, while visually appealing, are not as memorable as the glaringly obvious brand and product placements. Additionally, the unclear rules of what can kill you in the metaverse realm prevent any real suspense from building up.
Jared Leto, sporting his signature beardie Jesus/Russell Brand look, is the star of the megaflop Morbius and is currently facing #MeToo allegations. He is miscast as Ares, but the supporting cast performs well otherwise. However, there is nothing substantial for them to work with. The script shows no interest in addressing the pressing topic of AI and raises the question of who this movie is intended for. Fans of Tron will find yet another missed opportunity, and there is nothing new to attract the next generation.
Positive Aspects
- A fantastic score by Nine Inch Nails
- An exciting trailer that is worth watching again
Save yourself 119 minutes and rewatch the trailer instead.
Got a story? If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, get in touch with the.co.uk entertainment team by emailing [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page—we’d love to hear from you.
Comment now
Comments
