I’ll admit it. I walked into Tron: Ares knowing almost nothing about the Tron universe. I hadn’t seen the 1982 original or its 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy, and I expected to spend half the movie playing catch-up. But to my surprise, it absolutely didn’t matter.

Tron: Ares stands solidly on its own. The concept is simple enough: a self-aware digital being (Ares, played by Jared Leto) is sent from a computer world into the real one. Fast paced action, fascination with rain, and glowing light suits follow.

The film looks incredible. The visual effects are sleek, modern, and totally immersive. The Grid aesthetic is still here with neon lines and minimalist architecture, but now it’s bleeding into real-world streets and labs. It feels like a step up from most sci-fi blockbusters visually, even if you don’t always know what’s going on behind the code.

The sound is just as strong. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (yes, from Nine Inch Nails) composed a pounding, atmospheric score that somehow makes glowing motorcycles and philosophical debates feel equally intense.

The cast features a strong mix of familiar faces and fresh energy. Jared Leto plays Ares with a calm, almost mechanical presence that suits a digital being trying to understand the human world. It’s a performance that feels deliberately restrained, giving Ares an otherworldly quality. Greta Lee, as tech leader Eve Kim, brings warmth and drive to the story. She feels like the emotional centre of the film, balancing ambition with empathy. Evan Peters plays Julian Dillinger, a one-dimensional and slightly unhinged tech mogul. Gillian Anderson appears and is underutilised in her role as his mother, Elisabeth. And while Jeff Bridges’ appearance is brief, it adds a nice sense of continuity for those familiar with the earlier films.

The story? It’s fine. Serviceable. Not the film’s strongest element. There are interesting themes about AI, identity, and what it means to be alive, but it never quite goes as deep as it could. That said, it’s entertaining the whole way through. I never felt bored. I just didn’t leave the cinema buzzing about the plot.

If you’re after a smart, visually stunning sci-fi film with just enough heart to keep it grounded, Tron: Ares is worth seeing, especially on a big screen. You don’t need to know the lore. You don’t even need to be a sci-fi fan. Just come ready for eye candy, a killer soundtrack, and a surprisingly smooth ride through one of Disney’s more underrated cinematic universes.

FILM INFORMATION:

Rated: (M)

Consumer Advice: Science fiction violence

Runtime: 119 minutes

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