“Tron: Ares” is a fun ride, especially when you see it on a very big screen like I did at an IMAX theater. A second sequel after the original “Tron” in 1982 and “Tron: Legacy” in 2010, it stars Jared Leto as Ares, a computer-generated persona.
Ares travels from an alternate universe into our real world, which is mired in predicaments and problems. He finds an ally in Eve Kim, portrayed by Greta Lee (“Past Lives,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”). Of course there are evil entities to battle, such as Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith of “Queen & Slim”) and Julian Dillinger, a corporate slimeball played by Evan Peters (“X-Men: Dark Phoenix”).
Leto, on screen recently in “Haunted Mansion” and “Morbius,” plays the title character here. He’s fun to watch. I enjoyed him because he’s very likable in the role. He’s really down to earth and comfortable in his character. Rumor has it that Leto may not be the easiest actor to work with.
There are no signs of conflict or difficulty in what we see on screen here.
This is a movie I liked. I really enjoyed the whole package. It delivered in every department, and the sound was amazing. The soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails and frontman Trent Reznor sucks you in and makes you part of the journey, as does director Joachim Renning, known for calling the shots on “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” in 2017.
It was good stuff. Ares travels from the other side of the universe and arrives on earth on a lightcycle, which is like an otherworldly motorcycle.
The inevitable battle scenes show that all the production money is on the big screen. This is the kind of action-fantasy that might make some in the audience stand up and cheer.
Moviegoers interested in “Tron: Ares” should get to a theater soon. This film has underperformed big time at the box office and might not be around much longer in theaters.
“Tron: Ares” is worth your time and energy, though, especially on the biggest screen possible.
Grade: A
