Tron: Ares (English) Review: A Mixed Bag of Visuals and Storytelling
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
Overview of Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares explores a captivating premise where an advanced AI program wreaks havoc in the real world. The narrative follows Eve Kim, portrayed by Greta Lee, the CEO of Encom. She stumbles upon the ‘Permanence Code,’ a powerful piece of technology originally created by Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges. After her sister’s tragic death from cancer, Eve is determined to use the code for humanitarian efforts.
Meanwhile, her corporate rival, Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), develops a super-intelligent program named Ares (played by Jared Leto). Ambitious to profit from his creation, Julian fails to disclose Ares’s limitation: the program can only exist outside the “Grid” for 29 minutes. Desperate to eliminate this restriction, he learns about Eve’s possession of the Permanence Code and dispatches Ares to retrieve it, setting off a thrilling sequence of events.
Storytelling Elements and Direction
Written by David DiGilio and Jesse Wigutow, the story is timely, reflecting contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence. While the narrative is imaginative and engaging, the screenplay presents some challenges. At times, the exposition is overwhelming, making it difficult for viewers to keep up with the central conflict and thematic elements.
Director Joachim Rønning contributes a stylish visual flair to the film, successfully crafting suspenseful sequences. With a runtime of 119 minutes, the film remains briskly paced, avoiding dull moments. Noteworthy action scenes, especially the bike chase and Grid sequences, will undoubtedly thrill series enthusiasts. The film offers nods to earlier installments, particularly the original TRON (1982), adding an element of nostalgia.
The Characters and Performances
Jared Leto delivers a commendable performance as Ares, perfectly embodying the character’s nuances. His portrayal is steady, contributing depth to a complex role. Greta Lee plays a pivotal part as Eve but, unfortunately, her performance is occasionally overshadowed by Leto’s commanding presence. Evan Peters provides a solid supporting role, while Jodie Turner-Smith makes a significant impact as Athena, especially in the latter part of the film.
Gillian Anderson makes a notable contribution as Elisabeth Dillinger, and the ensemble, including Hasan Minhaj and Arturo Castro, delivers decent performances, although some characters lack sufficient development. The appearance of Jeff Bridges in a cameo reunites him with the franchise, providing a sentimental touch.
Technical Aspects and Music
The film’s score, crafted by Nine Inch Nails, significantly elevates its emotional and dramatic weight, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Jeff Cronenweth’s cinematography captures stunning visuals that bring the Grid and the real world to life, complemented by impressive action sequences that resonate with audiences.
However, some technical elements, such as visual effects and production design by Darren Gilford, stand out distinctly, showcasing top-tier craftsmanship. The costumes designed by Christine Bieselin Clark and Alix Friedberg effectively encapsulate the film’s futuristic themes. While Tyler Nelson’s editing gets off to a frenetic start, it eventually settles into a manageable rhythm.
Final Thoughts on Tron: Ares
In conclusion, while Tron: Ares offers stunning visual brilliance and exhilarating moments accentuated by compelling music, the film struggles with inconsistencies in its writing and delivers an underwhelming finale. With a niche fanbase in India, its box office impact may be muted despite its cinematic allure. For those keen on exploring themes of AI and technology, this film serves as both an entertaining and cautionary tale, appealing particularly to fans familiar with the H2 franchise.
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