I just recently saw TRON: Ares at my favorite local movie theater with some friends. As a long-time TRON fan, I enjoyed it. A lot. It is my opinion that this movie is a worthy addition to the TRON franchise. The visual effects were awe-inspiring and superb. The soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails is exquisite and appropriate to the series. The actors' performances were great so that I have no complaints about any of them. Jared Leto (like him or not) performed the title role excellently. Knowing that he is also an Executive Producer and widely believed to be the primary driving force behind this movie getting made at all, I can honestly say that I believe Mr. Leto is a true fan of the TRON universe. The callbacks, references, and fan-service to the previous movies were satisfyingly spot-on (though some may legitimately point out that TRON: Legacy was under-represented). Even the slow moments of the movie were packed with thought-provoking philosophy as you witnessed development and progression in ALL of the characters. I left the theater in quiet, existential, introspective awe of what I had just experienced.

All that being said, it is sadly obvious that the movie will not have the broad appeal that fans (and Disney) would like for TRON: Ares to have. The soundtrack, though excellent, harkened back to the era of 80s sci-fi synth music which gave me Bladerunner vibes. Dark and brooding. That's not a bad thing in and of itself, but it could be a turn-off for other generations who are likely to have different musical preferences.  For the OG fans (like me) who saw the first TRON movie in the theaters, the advancements in CGI over the years are phenomenal, given the eras and technologies available at those times the movies were made. Ares may not evoke that appreciation with modern audiences since the level of special effects in this movie is what is expected to be "the norm" for today's production values. And finally, there's Jared Leto. While I praised his performance and passion for TRON in the first paragraph of this review, it is known that his personal reputation is repellent to many people. (Personally, I don't care. Like Tom Cruise, like him or hate him, he makes entertaining movies and what he does in his personal life won't stop me from watching them.) This, and with Disney's recent political posturing, is sure to depress box-office turnout.

But damn if TRON: Ares wasn't a great movie! It looks good, sounds good, makes sense (within its own universe), plays to nostalgia while still being modern, and teases potential storylines for future installments. At least for me, it fulfills the age-old adage: "Always leave them wanting more." It's worth watching on the big screen.

-10/13/2025-