This review contains SPOILERS for Tron: Ares.
Even if you aren’t a fan of Jared Leto or Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Tron: Ares is still worth you time to watch. Both men are producers for this movie and also act in it. Leto plays the main character, Ares, while Reznor plays a fighter pilot. Reznor’s band provides some original music as well. A few more notable actors include Greta Lee, Gillian Anderson, and Evan Peters.
Back in 1982, the original Tron was a unique idea and one which resonated with science fiction fans and burgeoning gamers. It took until 2010 to make the next movie, Tron: Legacy. Here we are fifteen years after that and we have Tron: Ares. Jeff Bridges has roles in all three. Each sequel expanded upon the story as a whole, added to the spectacular visuals, and gave nods to their predecessors. The theme of good versus evil remains in tact.
Be sure to buy your snacks and visit the bathroom before sitting down to watch, because you won’t want to miss a second of this latest Tron. The music is driving, right along with the action which will keep you leaning forward in anticipation. It takes you on a blazing speed ride with plenty to appease adrenaline movie junkies.
It’s a bit expected that Ares begins as an antagonist but forsakes his master in the name of compassion. That expectation didn’t spoil a thing but just felt right for the Ares character. I loved that he even expressed compassion towards another program who was instructed to kill him. That he evolved is part of this movie’s delight.
Part of the premise is to find (and use) a permanence code which allows digital characters like Ares to exist beyond their 29 minute longevity limit. Naturally, everyone wants it because it makes the digital warriors and constructs more lethal or more productive—depending upon what uses you have for the AI tools. As is often the case in the real world, and those of science fiction origin, the case for building and creating is often at odds with conquest and greed.
ENCOM is now run by a savvy gal named Eve Kim (Greta Lee). Her view of AI is one of saving lives and bettering our world. Dillinger is headed up by the grandson of Ed Dillinger, Julian (Evan Peters). He's a real SOB with little care of his creations. He's out to sell them to the highest military bidder. He has no qualms about destroying anything which gets in his way. He doen't even worry about calling his super soldiers expendible in front of them.
There are tidbits at the conclusion which leave the doors open for more Tron in the future. Fans of previous Tron movies, may recognize potential characters or themes in these. Everyone expects a good villain to not go to waste after all. We’re absolutely invested in Ares enough to see what he does in our world, now that he’s ‘off the grid’.