Releasing a sequel to a movie 15 years after the most recent installment generally bodes for disaster. However, in the case of Disney’s newest release, Tron: Ares, the gap might have made the film better. Disney’s first journey into the Tron universe was in 1982, an early date for a movie that delves into the digital realm. The movie was one of the first films to extensively incorporate computer-generated graphics into the scenes; one 15-minute shot was completely made by a computer. The tradition of the Tron universe being a visually stunning light-up world was born, continuing in 2010 with Disney’s Tron: Legacy. With a budget of $170 million, it grossed $400 million dollars and became a cult classic just like its predecessor. While Tron: Ares might never become as iconic as the two Tron movies that came before, it still is worth driving out to the theaters to watch.
Tron: Ares follows the title security program, portrayed by Jared Leto. Constrained to the digital world called the Grid, Ares (and all such computer programs) can only enter reality for 29 minutes before they disintegrate back into the Grid. Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) is the head of the tech company which owns the Ares program, racing against rival tech CEO Eve Kim (Greta Lee) to find the long-lost permanence code. This code, created by Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), would allow for computer-generated organic material such as Ares to remain indefinitely in reality. Julian Dillinger hopes to use this code for villainy, while Eve Kim hopes to solve global issues. Ares simply wants to live.
The story of this movie was much better than I had expected. The period of time that has lapsed since Tron: Legacy actually aided the movie in branching off and creating a new plotline, instead of being stuck trying to live up to plot expectations of the first movie. Tron: Ares pursues its own goals and characters and doesn’t seem hindered by nostalgia for the first installment. Audiences could easily walk into the theater without ever having seen Tron: Legacy and still enjoy the original story of the sequel. This doesn’t mean that the movie disregards the two movies that precede it; in fact, an entire subplot is dedicated to Ares traveling into the 1980s video game to search for the permanence code. The movie healthily balances respect for the source material with novel additions to the Tron universe.
A Tron movie would be nothing without groovy electronic music, light-up costumes and exhilarating light cycle races — futuristic motorcycles that create trails of destructive light behind them. Thankfully, Tron: Ares provides all of these. It’s missing Daft Punk’s beats, but Tron: Ares compensates with Nine Inch Nails laying down perfectly fitting head-bangers. The soundtrack is definitely one of the best parts of the movie. The costumes are only slightly modified from the tradition of Tron: Legacy and are therefore eye-catching, making you want to grab a disc and pretend to be a battle-ready program. Finally, a Tron movie needs action, which Tron: Ares provides readily. Whether it’s programs from different companies tossing discs, a race across water against deadly drones or a light cycle street battle, action is never far from the protagonists of this movie.
However, it was by no means perfect. Jared Leto, after starring in the complete flop that was Disney’s Morbius, delivers his typical performance in a movie — nothing. Ironically, however, his acting capabilities mesh well with the character he has been given. Ares is written as an emotionless program interacting with the wide world around him, so though Jared Leto will by no means be winning an Oscar, he does not detract from the movie. Unfortunately, nor does he add anything special to it.
The writing of Tron: Ares is occasionally aiming to be deeply philosophical, but more often producing such hilarious exchanges like Ares commenting, “I’m curious,” and being responded to with “I’m curious why you are curious.” Yet, this movie was never meant to be a masterpiece of cinema that makes you think harder. Expecting it to be so will only ever leave you dissatisfied. If you are looking for a movie that will reveal something to you about the human condition, this is not the one to see. However, if you are looking for an escape from the drudgery of your day and hoping to fill it with a light-hearted and action-packed story, Tron: Ares might just be the movie you need.
Jane Locke is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at jal562@cornell.edu.
