LOS ANGELES — Disney ventures back into the technology realm with Tron: Ares marking the third installment in the Tron series. The stakes are elevated as the film delves into the intricate ramifications of artificial intelligence, featuring a distinguished cast that includes Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Evan Peters. Tron: Ares focuses on Encom CEO Eve Kim (Greta Lee), who is motivated by the legacy of her late sister to transform AI. Her objective is to uncover the ‘permanence code,’ which would allow digital entities, such as Ares, to persist beyond their current lifespan of 30 minutes before they face total implosion and reboot.
However, Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), driven by a thirst for power, seeks to undermine Kim’s endeavors and claim the code for himself. Ares, who initially seems loyal to Dillinger due to his infiltration of the Encom system, is designed as the guardian of the program, assigned to eliminate Eve and anyone who obstructs Dillinger’s path. Nevertheless, Dillinger’s schemes begin to fall apart when Eve forges a connection with Ares, reprogramming him to protect her. This shift in loyalty introduces Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith) into the conflict, as Dillinger summons her to pursue his initial objectives. As Julian sends cyber soldiers, led by Ares and Athena, to assault ENCOM’s server farm, they successfully capture Eve, transferring her digitized essence to the Dillinger grid via a particle laser. While Julian’s command to both extract the code and ‘delete the carrier’ causes Ares to hesitate, he starts to relate to Eve’s history, leading him to defy Julian’s orders and assist her in escaping.
Athena does not hesitate and takes charge to fulfill the mission. Julian finds his control waning as Athena seizes a colossal aircraft known as the ‘Recognizer,’ transitioning from the programming realm to the real world to hunt down Eve and her company, all while racing against her nearly 30-minute countdown to secure the permanence code.
Tron: Ares raises intriguing questions about the relationship between the real world and artificial intelligence, prompting viewers to consider the potential advantages and consequences of this technology. The film excels with dynamic fight sequences, exceptional cinematography, and references to 80’s programming, appealing to long-time fans of Tron. Notable appearances by familiar actors such as Jeff Bridges and Gillian Anderson (in the role of Elizabeth Dillinger) add to its charm.
The storyline lacks some depth; a more skilled director might have crafted a more engaging narrative surrounding this grand saga. A more polished script could have delved into the film’s AI theme with greater intricacy.
Evan Peters stands out as the antagonist Julian Dillinger, capturing the essence of greed and manipulation that echoes his grandfather (Ed Dillinger), the original villain in Tron. Jared Leto convincingly portrays Ares, delivering a strong performance as a digital entity constrained by code. Greta Lee presents a determined and self-assured Eve Kim.
The soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails perfectly aligns with the film’s atmosphere, enhancing various scenes and integrating seamlessly with the characters and overarching theme.
TRON: ARES Rating: 8/10
