If you’re a fan of smart sci-fi and striking visuals, the latest entry in the TRON franchise, TRON: Ares, is worth your time. I personally enjoyed it — especially for the themes it touches and the spectacle it offers.
What I Liked
From the get-go, the film draws you in with its stunning graphics, big-budget production design, and an atmosphere of digital danger. The story pits rival tech corporations against each other, fighting over advanced 3D-printing of physical soldiers (or digital programs brought into reality) — one side wants to use the technology for military force, the other for peace and human benefit. That premise resonated with me.
I also appreciated how the movie addressed corporate pressures, generational/hierarchical dynamics (especially for younger people or women in tech), and the idea of being bound to a system or master rather than truly being free. On the acting front, the cast delivers: Jared Leto plays Ares, a program entering the real world; Greta Lee is Eve Kim, the CEO of ENCOM who sees a utopian possibility; Evan Peters plays Julian Dillinger, heir to the rival corporation. The standout visuals and soundtrack also elevated the film for me.
Themes and Reflections
The battle over whether technology is used for war or for healing feels timely and relevant. The film’s exploration of personal freedom vs corporate domination — especially for younger adults or women stepping into leadership roles — gives it some grounding beyond the spectacle. While the story could’ve been tighter, I enjoyed that it wasn’t purely about romance or male-centered power: it offered generational and identity perspectives, which is refreshing. It’s a solid “at-home movie” experience: something to watch, enjoy the ride, and reflect on.
Full Plot Summary (Spoilers Ahead)
TRON: Ares is the third film in the TRON franchise, following TRON (1982) and TRON: Legacy (2010).
After the events of TRON: Legacy, the company ENCOM and its historic rival Dillinger Systems are vying for control of a new technology: a “Permanence Code” created by Kevin Flynn (played again by Jeff Bridges) that allows digital Programs from The Grid to exist in the real world beyond the usual 29-minute lifespan. Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), grandson of Ed Dillinger, wants to commercialize the technology for military use — to create “perfect” deployable beings. Eve Kim (Greta Lee) leads ENCOM and wants to harness the same tech for healing, freedom, and human advancement. She visits a remote Arctic research station (originally set up by Flynn) and uncovers the Permanence Code. Julian unleashes a Program-assassin named Ares (Jared Leto) into the real world to steal the code and eliminate Eve. However, as Ares begins to interact with humanity and Eve’s ideals, he begins to question his mission. The climax features high-octane light-cycle chases in the real world, digital-meets-physical combat, and the thematic question of whether programs can be more than tools. Ares and Eve ultimately clash with the corporate machine. While the film is heavy on spectacle, it also leaves some threads open — the legacy characters from Legacy (Sam Flynn, Quorra) are only hinted at rather than deeply featured.
My Verdict
Overall, TRON: Ares delivered for me. If you enjoy sci-fi thrillers with bold visuals, high concept ideas, and a willingness to explore tech ethics, you’ll find a lot to like. That said, if you were hoping for a tighter, more emotionally grounded story, you might feel it falls a bit short. The plot could’ve been stronger, and some character dynamics less developed. But as a ride — especially at home or on a big screen — I found it very enjoyable.
Recommendation
If you’re in the mood for something visually arresting, thematically relevant (tech vs humanity), and fun to watch, I’d recommend this film. If you’re watching with younger kids, though, be aware the themes and some jokes may lean toward older teens/adults rather than very young viewers.
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