The long-awaited return to the digital grid in Tron: Ares proves to be a disappointing venture, lacking the innovative spirit that defined the original 1982 film. This new chapter feels more like a placeholder than a cinematic event, failing to capture the magic of its predecessor.
The story centers on a corporate rivalry. A powerful AI corporation, Dillinger, now challenges the virtual reality pioneer Encom. Dillinger’s ambitious leader has devised a scheme to create military assets within a virtual world and materialize them into our reality. However, these creations have a critical flaw: they disintegrate after 29 minutes. The key to solving this lies with Encom’s CEO, who possesses a code that can grant these objects permanence.
In response, Dillinger deploys its ultimate weapon: Ares, a sophisticated humanoid warrior designed to operate outside the digital realm. As is often the case with advanced artificial beings, Ares begins to show signs of autonomy, complicating its mission. The narrative attempts to inject depth by having Ares develop an unexpected empathy for its target, a subplot that feels underdeveloped.
The film’s lead performance has drawn significant criticism. The actor portraying Ares delivers a mannered and often irritating performance, complete with a knowing smirk that undermines the character’s menace. While the action includes signature elements from the franchise, such as light-cycle battles, these sequences feel hollow without compelling stakes or engaging human drama. The overall result is a film that feels dated, a relic from a past era of technology rather than a forward-looking sci-fi adventure.
Tron: Ares is scheduled for release in early October.
