“Tron: Ares” is a visual masterpiece. From the opening frame, the film pulls you into its dark, glowing world with striking blacks, whites, reds, and yellows that pop beautifully on the big screen.
Visually and sonically, it’s a treat. The sound design adds a whole new dimension, making you feel the world’s pulse.
Jared Leto returns with his trademark intense, almost emotionless stare that perfectly fits this digital universe. The film feels like a mix of “Blade Runner” and “Cyberpunk,” exploring deep ideas about artificial life and emotions.
It tries to show how programs can feel human sensations, especially in a poetic scene where a program experiences rain for the first time. However, the execution doesn’t quite land and the moments that should’ve been emotional feel rushed instead of immersive. The film needed to slow down and let us feel with these programs, to show time stretch as they begin to understand the meaning of emotion.
The problem is that while the concept is fascinating, the film doesn’t build an emotional bridge between the digital and real worlds. There’s not much consequence when the programs enter the real world like in one scene where a lightcycle races through the city, but instead of chaos, everything just neatly stops on cue. It feels like the world doesn’t react to what’s happening, making the stakes feel low.
Athena stands out as the most engaging character, bringing heart to an otherwise mechanical story. The performances overall are strong, but the writing doesn’t give them enough depth to shine. The villain, Jullian Dillinger, feels wasted; his motives are one-dimensional, and his arc doesn’t lead anywhere impactful.
Action-wise, the film is more restrained than expected. The few sequences we get are stylish and well-shot, but the adrenaline that defined earlier “Tron“ movies is missing.
In the end, “Tron: Ares” is a visually breathtaking yet emotionally hollow experience. It’s a movie that looks and sounds incredible, powered by ambitious ideas, but its storytelling remains too surface-level to leave a lasting impression.
