Tron: Ares may have increased relevance and a bigger budget, but it adheres to the principles of its predecessors. Namely, having jaw-dropping visual effects, an incredible score, attractive performers, and an absolutely atrocious script.
Both the original 1982 film and its 2010 sequel made decent money, but the general public basically ignored or forgot about them while a cult built up around their enormous spectacle. Ares seems destined to the same fate because it's once again failed to make any compelling characters, virtual or otherwise. Yet it succeeds in the same way because it remains absolutely captivating to watch.
Like 28 Years Later, this film more or less ignores the events of the last entry, instead pushing more snooze-worthy corporate espionage. Greta Lee plays the CEO of Encom (the company Jeff Bridges took over at the end of the first movie), while Evan Peters sneers his way through as the rival leader of Dillinger Systems. Both companies have found a way to bring digital creations into the real world. But they're racing each other to find a way to make those ones and zeroes last once they materialize.
Dillinger's top program is the titular Ares, played with zero emotion or engagement by Jared Leto. Devoid of any compelling characteristics, this extremely efficient mercenary starts "learning to be human" after studying Lee's character. It's just one of many eye-rolling plot developments, which also include dead siblings and, uh, "particle lasers." In stark contrast, Jodie Turner-Smith brings fire and fury as Ares's lieutenant (and eventual nemesis) Athena. She's so much more alive than anyone else in the movie that you almost root for her to win, even when she ruthlessly mows down anyone in her path.
But let's be honest: We're here for the visuals and the music, and the film delivers on both counts. The flawless cinematography from Jeff Cronenweth (The Social Network) and score by Nine Inch Nails fit together perfectly. The original film had primitive computers to work with, and Legacy delivered some truly heinous de-aging work. But now the VFX are finally at a point where the filmmakers can achieve everything they want to put on screen. It's frequently jaw-dropping. Avatar: Fire and Ash may be the only 2025 film that could rival it in that department.
Tron: Ares has some of the clunkiest exposition and thinnest characters of any movie you'll ever experience. But it also has some of the most impressive things you'll see on a big screen this year. Seeing it in a premium format is a must.
