Film Review - Tron: Ares

I’ll admit I might be slightly biased about this film, and for good reason. Tron has always held a special place in my heart (the original 1982 version was one of my childhood sci-fi favourites) so I went into Tron: Ares with high expectations.

This latest entry takes us back into the digital world known as The Grid, although, interestingly, much of the story takes place in the real world rather than inside the computer realm. The setup is surprisingly grounded: two powerful tech corporations dominate the story. On one side, we have Dillinger Enterprises, founded by the descendants of Ed Dillinger from the original film, and on the other, the more noble Encom Corporation.

At the centre of it all is Julian Dillinger, the CEO of Dillinger Enterprises, a megalomaniac genius with a god complex who has developed a way to 'laser-print' computer programmes into the real world. His greatest creation is Ares, played by Jared Leto, a master control programme responsible for maintaining order both within The Grid and across Dillinger’s network.

The problem, however, is that these digital beings can only survive for 29 minutes outside the Grid. Both Dillinger and his corporate rival, Encom’s CEO Eve Kim (played by Greta Lee), are in a race to find the so-called 'permanence code', which would allow them to bring their creations to life permanently. It’s an intriguing idea that quietly mirrors our own world, where two powerful corporations (or, more precisely, their CEOs) hold the potential to change the planet. It feels uncomfortably close to reality.

What makes Tron: Ares work is that it doesn’t get lost in its concept. The story remains straightforward, the action slick and the design work superb. The film is visually striking, filled with clean neon palettes, smooth choreography and confident direction. And while the script doesn’t dive too deep into philosophy, it explores enough to keep you engaged.

Ares himself is a surprisingly layered character. When he begins to realise that he’s expendable, he starts noticing strange 'gaps' in his programming, cracks that he interprets as emotion. This awakening pushes him to question his purpose, his creators and the world around him. Jared Leto plays this with restraint, keeping the performance grounded and occasionally humorous, especially in his later exchanges with Eve.

The action sequences are another highlight. They’re bright, fast and stylish without becoming chaotic. The editing keeps everything sharp and immersive. Paired with an industrial rock soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails, the energy hits exactly where it should.

Long-time fans will appreciate the nods to the earlier Tron films. A portion of the story even takes place in the original 1982 Grid, which feels nostalgic and heartfelt for anyone who grew up with it.

Overall, Tron: Ares is an enjoyable return to the series. Yes, it’s predictable at times and occasionally stretches logic, but it also delivers exactly what it promises: a visually spectacular and entertaining sci-fi film that raises interesting questions about AI, humanity and corporate control.

Worth the ticket price? Absolutely. This is a solid weekend watch.