Tron: Ares (English) Review and Rating
Rating: 2.5/5
Star Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Gillian Anderson, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Selene Yun, Jeff Bridges
Director: Joachim Rønning
Synopsis of Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares presents a gripping narrative centered around an advanced program creating chaos in the real world. The film follows Eve Kim, portrayed by Greta Lee, the CEO of Encom, as she uncovers the ‘Permanence Code’ designed by the enigmatic Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges). With her sister’s tragic passing from cancer lingering in her mind, Eve aspires to leverage the code for humanitarian endeavors.
Meanwhile, her corporate rival, Julian Dillinger (portrayed by Evan Peters), has developed Ares, a super-intelligent program played by Jared Leto. Interested in monetizing this revolutionary technology, Julian conceals a crucial fact from investors: Ares can only exist in the real world for 29 minutes. To resolve this limitation, Julian seeks the ‘Permanence Code’ and soon learns that Eve has it in her possession. He dispatches Ares to retrieve it, setting off a series of thrilling events that drive the film.
Critique of Tron: Ares
The story crafted by David DiGilio and Jesse Wigutow raises pertinent questions about the dangers of artificial intelligence, making it timely and thought-provoking. Although the screenplay has its flaws, it exhibits creativity and tension throughout. The dialogue feels quite typical, lacking the punch that one might expect from a sci-fi thriller.
Joachim Rønning’s direction is commendable, offering a stylish visual experience. Clocking in at 119 minutes, the pacing keeps viewers engaged with little downtime. The film features exhilarating motorcycle chases and memorable sequences within the Grid, providing an enticing homage to its predecessors, especially the original TRON from 1982.
However, the film’s onset feels jumbled, bombarding viewers with excessive information that requires careful processing to grasp the overarching conflict. Given its themes of science and gaming, some audience members might struggle to fully understand the narrative. Additionally, the conclusion comes off as underwhelming. Unlike the FINAL DESTINATION series, newcomers may find it challenging to fully appreciate Tron: Ares without prior familiarity with its cinematic universe.
Performance Highlights
Jared Leto adeptly assumes the role of Ares, skillfully underplaying the character, which aligns with the demands of the narrative. Greta Lee delivers a commendable performance as Eve, although she sometimes gets overshadowed by Leto’s presence. Evan Peters holds his own as Julian, while Jodie Turner-Smith, in her role as Athena, truly shines, particularly in the latter half of the film. Gillian Anderson also leaves a significant impression as Elisabeth Dillinger. The supporting cast, including Hasan Minhaj and Arturo Castro, performs adequately, although Selene Yun has limited screen time. A delightful cameo by Jeff Bridges adds an extra layer of nostalgia for fans of the franchise.
Technical Aspects and Soundtrack
The film’s music, composed by Nine Inch Nails, is undeniably one of its standout features, significantly enhancing the film’s emotional depth and intensity. Jeff Cronenweth’s cinematography captivates with breathtaking visuals, successfully immersing viewers in the stunning digital world of Tron: Ares. The action sequences are thrilling, and the visual effects and production design by Darren Gilford are top-notch. Additionally, the costumes by Christine Bieselin Clark and Alix Friedberg fit the futuristic theme well, although some aspects of Tyler Nelson’s editing feel overly frenetic at the beginning.
Final Thoughts on Tron: Ares
In conclusion, Tron: Ares presents a visually stunning experience filled with exhilarating moments, supported by its compelling soundtrack and impressive visual effects. Despite its tantalizing prospects, inconsistent writing and a lackluster finale inhibit the film’s ability to maximize its full potential. Given the franchise’s limited appeal in India, it is expected that its box office performance may not reflect its visual brilliance.
