The Tron franchise certainly has its fans — I’m not one of them — so it’s not too surprising that “Tron: Ares” is projected to have a $44M opening weekend, the same as its predecessor, “Tron: Legacy.” The budget is around $150, which is a staggering amount to spend on a franchise that may be in decline. Then again, ‘Tron’ is popular overseas, especially in Japan, and revenue from those markets could help the film break even.
Regardless, the review embargo has lifted, and for good reason: critics are not too happy about “Tron: Ares.” The current tally is 48 on Metacritic. You want the truth? Watching this film was an excruciating experience. There’s nothing of value; it feels cold, mechanical, and artificial.
No surprise: “Tron: Ares” prioritizes visual spectacle over story and character development. Those flashy neon aesthetics are certainly dazzling, but there’s no genuine drama, tension, or human interest. It’s a hollow and outdated film. Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares, a sentient AI, is irritatingly flat — all polish, no depth. Ever since winning the Oscar, has Leto given us anything of real value?
A particular highlight is two-time Oscar winners Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor (aka Nine Inch Nails), who score “Tron: Ares@ with electronic, atmospheric, and synth-heavy textures. As mentioned, the main highlight is the visuals, captured by cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, who previously worked on early David Fincher films.
“Tron: Ares” is the third film in the ‘Tron’ sci-fi franchise. Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Rønning replaces previous helmer Joseph Kosinski as director — his credits include “The Young Woman and the Sea,” “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” and the fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie.
The “Tron: Ares” cast includes Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan and Gillian Anderson. The plot follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with AI beings.
Here’s the trailer for “Tron: Ares.” The film is set for October 10, 2025 release in theaters, including IMAX.
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