Jared Leto

Greta Lee

Evan Peters

Gillian Anderson

Jodie Turner-Smith

Jeff Bridges

Hasan Minhaj

Arturo Castro

Cameron Monaghan

Sarah Desjardins

Aaron Paul Stewart

Roger Cross

Roark Critchlow

Katharine Isabelle

Gary Vaynerchuk

Kwesi Ameyaw

Robin Roberts

Kara Swisher

Sandy Robson

Tal Shulman

Donald Heng

Tiffany Alycia Tong

Sakura Sykes

Trent Reznor

Atticus Ross

Shannon Leto

Selene Yun

Catherine Haena Kim

Farhan Rana Rajpoot

Christine Bieselin Clark

Dylan Jury

Debra Zane

Sean Bailey

Steven Lisberger

Leah Gallo

Joachim Rønning

Jeffrey Silver

Alex Kyshkovych

Russell Allen

Jeff Cronenweth

Justin Springer

Jesse Wigutow

Emma Ludbrook

Darren Gilford

George Hull

Josh Viers

Tyler Nelson

Donald Sparks

Grant Van Der Slagt

Chris Beach

Denise Hudson

Benoit Waller

Tom Struthers

Ron Bartlett

Mandy Moore

Addison Teague

David Seager

Abishek Nair

Vincent Papaix

Jeff Capogreco

Mike Beaulieu

Jhon Alvarado

Adele Jones-Venables

Kacy McDonald

Jill Brooks

Chris Bannister

Tracey Wilson

Gareth Jones

Benoît Chieusse

Till Nowak

Alexandra Greene

Tomasz Wachnik

Alice Cicchetti

David DiGilio

Bonnie MacBird

Jason Corgan Brown

Joseph Kosinski

Alix Friedberg

Scott Rogers

Camille Friend

Donald Mowat

Cameron Waldbauer

Attila Dóczi

Janene Carleton

Pietro Scalia

Brian Ho

Curtis Braconnier

Lars Grant

Erika T. Johnson

Kim Howey

Jon Kralt

Yu Matsushita

J.J. Makaro

Gaston Morrison

Don Lew

Brad Loree

David Jacox

Ernie Jackson

Rochelle Okoye

Matthew Mylrea

Rhiannon Roberts

Gerald Paetz

Jeff Sanca

Todd Scott

Sharon Simms

Hugo Steele

Jolene Van Vugt

Chris Webb

Tristin Woolsey

Lindsay Woolsey

Mark Rayner

Heath Stevenson

Chase Nicholson

Rick Pearce

Dave Hospes

Greig Hospes

TRON Collection

Science Fiction

Adventure

Action

TRON: Ares

Walt Disney Pictures

Sean Bailey Productions

United States of America

English

artificial intelligence (a.i.)

computer program

simulation

computer simulation

sequel

real world

light cycle

excited

digital world

military a.i.

Brent Marchant

If a movie franchise has nothing especially new to say about itself or its mythology, perhaps it’s best if it refrains from trying to say anything at all. Such is the case with this latest installment in the “Tron” series of would-be sci-fi screen epics, a nondescript, underwhelming effort that, regrettably, disappoints in myriad ways. What starts out as a generally unengaging tale about AI corporate espionage that straddles life in the real world and cyberspace improves somewhat as it moves along, particularly in the back half when the connection to the original 1982 release becomes more apparent (and more compelling). But what precedes that development is uninspiring, even if it is visually dazzling to look at. Its attempt at conveying a cautionary tale about the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence (not to mention the greedy, dimwitted purveyors of this dubious technology) may be laudable for its nobility and sincerity, but it’s not especially new at this point given the many other cinematic releases that have already tackled this subject (and better), perhaps best seen in several of the “Terminator” offerings. Arguably, the biggest problem here is an anemic script that generally tries mightily (though not always successfully) to link this picture’s narrative with its seminal roots, but it frequently feels as if it’s reaching for a suitably sufficient tie-in. That’s particularly apparent where a key story element is concerned, one that has been alluded to in previous installments but that is brought up directly this time – and that should have played a far more significant role in this iteration but that, sadly, is largely glossed over when introduced, receiving only scant treatment thereafter. The casting also leaves much to be desired, with gifted character actor Jared Leto being thrust into a part where his performance is about as appealing as a lukewarm bowl of porridge (with few prospects for greater, more meaningful depth and development); protagonist Greta Lee turning in a portrayal lacking in passion, interest and realistic believability; and Jeff Bridges essentially making an extended cameo that he could have just as soon phoned in (though, thankfully, Jodie Turner-Smith and Gillian Anderson are on hand to breathe some much-needed life into the otherwise-lackluster acting). Interestingly, this offering boasts an impressive original score by Nine Inch Nails, but its presence is so undeniable that it often tends to overpower the action that it’s meant to complement (I often found myself listening more intently to the background music than to the on-screen dialogue – an element that really shouldn’t be that obvious). To be honest, I can’t say that I hated director Joachim Rønning’s latest feature outing, but I certainly didn’t love it, either. In fact, the only reason I’d recommend seeing it on a big screen would be for the special effects, and, if that’s not justification enough for you to plunk down your hard-earned money for theater ticket prices, I’d suggest waiting until it comes to streaming and watch it at home.

misubisu

##A Visually Stunning Sequel That Plays It a Bit Too Safe

The Grid awaits once more, and its return is a welcome one. *TRON: Ares*, the long-gestating next chapter in the cult-favourite franchise, delivers exactly what the trailer promises: a breathtaking dive back into a digital world of light-cycle duels and identity-disc battles. It’s a spectacle for the senses that faithfully honors the legacy, even if its human heart sometimes gets lost in the neon glow.

**The Visuals and Sound Are the Real Stars**

Let's be clear: this film is worth the price of admission for the aesthetic alone. Building on the foundation laid by *TRON: Legacy*, *Ares* pushes the visual envelope even further. The Grid feels more vast, more detailed, and more dangerous. The signature light-cycle sequences are more visceral and intelligently choreographed, and the disc wars have a satisfying, weighty impact that will please fans. The real standout, however, is the sound design and score. While no one can truly replace Daft Punk, the new musical team (or rumoured guest artists) have crafted a pulsating, electronic heartbeat that seamlessly blends nostalgic tones with fresh, aggressive synth-wave rhythms. It’s a triumph.

**A Compelling Premise with a Rushed Execution**

The story follows Ares (a perfectly cast Jared Leto), a powerful A.I. program sent from the digital world into our human reality—a clever inversion of the first film's premise. The goal is one of peace and understanding, but as any *TRON* fan knows, nothing on The Grid goes according to plan. The philosophical conflict—what happens when a perfect digital consciousness confronts the messy, illogical nature of humanity?—is fertile ground.

The film is at its best when exploring this core idea. Leto brings a compelling, otherworldly quality to Ares, making him both empathetic and intimidating. However, the screenplay struggles to balance its high-concept themes with its blockbuster obligations. The human characters, including a weary corporate tech executive (played ably by a under-utilised Jodie Turner-Smith), often feel like narrative devices to move the plot along rather than fully fleshed-out people. The third act, in particular, rushes toward a climactic battle that, while visually spectacular, resolves the film's central philosophical dilemma a bit too neatly.

**A Worthy, if Flawed, Entry**

*TRON: Ares* doesn't reach the iconic status of the original nor the cult-cool heights of *Legacy*. It feels like a carefully crafted, slightly safe attempt to reignite the franchise. It does so with immense style and a clear love for the source material, but it stumbles in giving its human elements the same depth and complexity as its digital ones.

**The Verdict: 7/10**

*TRON: Ares* is a solid and entertaining sci-fi adventure. It delivers stunning visuals, a thumping score, and enough classic *TRON* action to satisfy devotees. While its story doesn't fully explore the profound questions it raises, it successfully opens a new door to The Grid, leaving you hopeful and eager for the next round.

**See it if:** You're a fan of the franchise; you crave a big-screen visual and auditory experience; you enjoy high-concept sci-fi, even when it prioritises spectacle over depth.
**Skip it if:** You demand deep character development from your blockbusters; you have no prior connection to the *TRON* universe.

TRON: Ares( 2025)

No going back.

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A review by Brent Marchant

Written by Brent Marchant on Sun Oct 12 2025

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