Beebom Score
The grid has lit up once again after 15 years, but this time around, it shines a bit differently. Tron: Ares has been released worldwide and has fans of the franchise rushing to the theaters. I would say it indeed is a walk down memory lane while also being a divergence towards a new path paved in the same spirit. However, Tron: Ares has received a rather negative reception from multiple individuals, and you must think it’s simply because it doesn’t work, but that’s not the case. So, in this review for Tron: Ares, let’s talk about what this redefining of a spectacular franchise brings to the table, and by the end, we will also discuss why it is being looked down upon.
The Story Works Better Than You’d Expect
When the trailer of Tron: Ares was released, the plot seemed to be pretty straightforward: A program comes into the real world, there’s an invasion, and he would somehow stop it, but that’s not it. Tron: Ares’ plot comes with layers that in no way or form seem to be forced. First off, there’s Ares (Jared Leto), a program, who is also the Master Control of the Dillinger Grid. However, he starts being more than just lines of code and begins to question things, wonder about his purpose, and starts differentiating between right and wrong. This element sets the plot in motion from the very beginning of the movie and in no way or form feels overdone.
On the other hand, we are introduced to the new CEO of ENCOM, Eve Kim (Greta Lee), who is working her heels off to find the Permanence Code, which the antagonist is also looking for, a line of code that could make things that originated in the grid retain their form in the real world permanently. We get to see her personal struggles with the death of her sister, a mission passed on to Eve by her, and her conflict, which makes her think of leaving ENCOM for good.
Oh, and then there’s Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), the CEO of Dillinger Systems and the antagonist who created Ares and the Dillinger Grid. He is possessive, impulsive, and shows traits of being psychotic. Even though he never once resorted to violence, his ways would make you feel uncomfortable, and in all honesty, the best on-screen performance should be credited to Evan Peters. When all these elements, Ares’ disobeying his own programming, Eve’s mission, and Julian’s obsession, come together, it creates a story which might not be perfect, but works better than you would expect.
Jared Leto Is Well, Jared Leto, with a Few Moments of Glory
At this point, everyone who is even a little bit into cinema knows about the alleged “Jared Leto Curse”. However, when it comes to Tron: Ares, it looks like a Pastor bathed him in holy water because trust me when I say it, Leto-works. Now, of course, I won’t say Tron: Ares is his greatest feat of acting I have ever seen; however, what is often considered Leto’s weakness proved to be his strength over here.
Leto is often criticized for not expressing emotions like they are supposed to, being somewhat nonchalant on screen, but guess what a humanized line of code would look like? Not too expressive and nonchalant. I am almost certain that it was the whole reason Leto was cast in this movie.
Keeping jokes aside, what I mean to say is that all Jared Leto had to do was be himself, and it fit right into his character. There are scenes in the movie where you would go, “This Guy can pull this off?” But even if not in the entire movie, Jared Leto has his moments where he shines, and it might be a hot take, but in my opinion, he was the right choice to play Ares.
Nine Inch Nails Absolutely Nailed It with the Soundtrack
Now, coming to the best part, the music. Trust me when I say it, being somewhat of a musician myself, the soundtrack absolutely sends it out of the park in the best way imaginable. Every chase scene, every soft moment, every moment of retrospection is laced in stunning music, which elevates the effect it has to a brand new level.
If you remember, the music for Tron: Legacy was created by none other than Daft Punk, and we all felt the effect it created could not be replicated. Well, as it turns out, with enough talent and a big paycheck, nothing’s impossible to replicate while also creating something new and enhanced.
So, If Nothing’s Terrible, Why the Negativity Towards Tron: Ares?
As children, most of us often lived under our parents’ shadow, no matter how good we were at our own things, our parents and people around them would want us to be like our dad or mom. However, we have our own identity, even though our parents are where we originated from. Now you might be wondering, “Why is this guy trauma dumping?” It’s because the case is quite similar to what happened with Tron: Ares.
When Tron: Ares was announced, it was made clear that while honoring the legacy of this exceptional franchise, it would ultimately be a reboot grounded in the same world. The negativity comes from a point that still expects it to be a sequel to Tron: Legacy, which it evidently is not. It’s something new, something that keeps the spirit of Tron alive and still brings in something fresh. If we compare Tron: Ares to Tron and Tron: Legacy, it would be like pitting a rookie in a boxing match against Mike Tyson.
If you are holding yourself back from watching this movie because someone on the internet told you that it’s not as good as Tron: Legacy, they would be right, because Tron: Ares is not trying to be; it’s its own thing with just the right amount of connection to the glory days. So, drop the comparison, grab your tickets, and go watch this reimagination done just right. Even though there’s room for improvement, the future looks bright enough to bring a new life and a new fanbase to Tron.
