While the premise was intriguing, the film unfortunately struggled to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Despite a star-studded cast including Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges, the movie was hindered by a predictable plot and a script that felt uninspired. I liked the exploration of an AI program navigating the complexities of the human world and the moral choices that come with it, but the execution just didn't play out well.
Visually, however, the film was a triumph. The cinematography was crisp and futuristic, offering a stunning aesthetic that honored the franchise's roots. The fight choreography was creative, and the film included clever nostalgic nods, such as the iconic light trails from the motorcycles that slice through real-world traffic. The costuming was another high point, particularly for Jodie Turner-Smith, who delivered a standout performance as a ruthless, objective-driven program. Jared Leto’s naturally stoic acting style fit the one-dimensional nature of an AI, and Greta Lee entertained despite a limited range. Unfortunately, the performances couldn’t quite save the clunky narrative that relied heavily on copy-paste elements from Tron: Legacy, resulting in a film that felt like a beautiful but hollow shell.
One of the most disappointing aspects was the soundtrack. While Tron: Legacy had the legendary Daft Punk score, Ares featured music by Nine Inch Nails and incorporated tracks from Depeche Mode. While the attempt to pay homage to the 80s was clear, the industrial, dark vibe simply didn't hit the mark for a Tron film. It felt more suited for a movie like The Crow. Ultimately, Tron: Ares offered a nice visual homage to its 80s roots, but it lacked the narrative innovation and score needed to stand on its own, making it unsurprising that it struggled to find an audience at the box office.
