The neon lights, the techno bass pumping, and the thrilling story– these are the iconic elements of a TRON film.
The original TRON came out in 1982, directed by Steven Lisberger as a way for Disney to engage older audiences and talk about the “new” computers. This film revolutionized movies, using CGI in its earliest stages combined with fully hand-colored scenes to depict the computer world, the Grid. Yet, it gained mixed reviews from critics. Overall, the movie was a modest financial success, and it would go on to become a cult classic – with the lightcycles, discs, and “Recognizers” becoming icons in cinema history.
Though fans loved the original movie, its lukewarm success would cause the studio to wait nearly thirty years before releasing a sequel. Tron Legacy, directed by Joseph Kosinski, acted as a direct sequel set about thirty years after the original story. Its soundtrack by Daft Punk is critically acclaimed, the visuals are a mix of CGI and practical effects, and it was the first movie to use de-aging effects on an actor, further breaking new ground for cinema. Much like its predecessor, it was pivotal for movie making and leaving a historical mark along with becoming another cult classic. Yet, it was dismissed by many critics and only a minor success at the box office. Kosinski’s plans for a sequel were shelved, and the series lay dormant for some time. Until 2025, when TRON Ares was announced.
TRON Ares, being the third film in the franchise, had big expectations to live up to, and when the cast was announced many fans were disappointed that nearly every actor from the previous movies would not return. Yet, in my opinion as an avid fan with high hopes for this film, the movie was a worthy successor. The film’s visuals were incredible, building off the neon, sci-fi aesthetic of previous films and continuing to raise the bar by bringing the digital TRON world into the real world. Every moment was fun to look at, and the sound track was incredibly catchy. While not as good as TRON Legacy’s soundtrack, Nine Inch Nails did a good job composing a soundtrack that paid tribute to TRON’s iconic sound and had my foot tapping nearly the entire film.
While the story was not as deep as previous films, at times holding a tone similar to the Terminator films, it did its job in furthering the story and worldbuilding of TRON. The best parts for dedicated fans were the many references to previous films, especially the original, as some scenes paralleled the style of the 1982 classic.
While a very controversial actor, Jarrod Leto did his job well playing the mostly emotionless A.I. Ares, as he learns about humanity and develops sentience. Some characters were less developed than others, but each part did their job in furthering the film’s greater plot. Finally, its mid-credits scene helped to tease what might be to come, helping to excite fans for a hopeful future in reviving the franchise.
