Movies Tron Ares getting buried by critics

[Pearly]

So I have just seen Tron Ares, and I am going to say this much, if you loved the two tron movies then this is a must see movie.

I won't put any spoilers on here for it as I want people to experience this movie as I did and please don't post spoilers on the thread if you have seen it.

I will point out Jared Leto is a very divisive actor and I would describe myself as tolerating him in movies I've watched, I am not a fan of his by any means and he seems to be actively putting people off the movie just by being in it. That said, I've never thought within seeing him deliver his first few lines in a movie, that he was the perfect choice for his role. I've often felt he was the worst choice for all his roles except in blade runner 2049 and Tron Ares. I went into this movie wanting it to be amazing but having to tolerate Leto, instead I wound up dashing to and from the bathroom as I didn't want to miss anything as I found it that compelling. *Note to self! Stop drinking large volumes of liquid before a movie showing*

Leto is considered a great actor but I am aware that many straight up passed on the movie because he's in it as he is divisive for reasons outside of being an actor and because it's not a straight sequel to legacy, it actually is a sequel to legacy, this is no soft reboot of any kind.

The soundtrack, an NIN fashioned one by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is sublime and suits the tone of this movie perfectly. I've seen both professional critics and amateur youtuber movie critics dunk on this movie, making it sound like an absolute turkey, which is ironic as the two movies that critics are currently raving about are both bombing horrendously. My local cinema didn't even get it in, I had to travel an hour to see it.

Anyone that passed on the movie because it's not a straight sequel to Legacy, you're shooting us all in the foot, including yourselves by not going to see it, without spoilers that is all I can say. It is indeed a straight sequel that is setting up the new Dillinger threat and Evan Peters is perfect as the grandson running Dillingers corp in the modern age. If you love legacy and want more, please go see this movie, if it's a moderate success, hopefully Disney will greenlight a sequel. I personally hate Disney as a company and don't like giving them money but I love Tron and want more of it.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

I agree with you completely. I don't consider myself a huge fan of the Tron series, I watched Tron:Legacy and the original Tron back in 2007 as a required viewing for gamers at the time, but I didn't enjoy them as movies. As computer graphics showcases, the movies certainly are enjoyable but besides that, not much. I went to see Tron:Ares with a friend without much enthusiasm because the reviews were mixed but I got to say it surpassed my expectations by a lot.

The reviews are quite unfair and I think it is mostly driven by hatred and bias against Jared Leto. Whatever you may say about Leto's life and career choices, no one can deny they guy can act. And he steals the show as Ares, the AI security module turned sentient. The visuals far surpass the older movies, (which were both great looking for their time) and the soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is incredible. The only negative I will bring up is that the story is hard to follow at times, since it requires having some background knowledge about the Tron series and the two first films. They try to provide a lore dump at the beginning of the movie but it is insufficient, IMO. Also, some of the action scenes splice together many locations and situations and it becomes a bit incoherent. But overall the movie is quite enjoyable for the spectacle, the visuals, the music and the basic Frankenstein trope story.

As far as outside reviewers goes, not everyone is dunking on the movie. Some people are reviewing it fairly, for example RogerEbert.com.

TRON: Ares movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert

“TRON: Ares” is spectacularly designed, swiftly paced, thoughtfully written, and directed within an inch of its neon-hued life.

www.rogerebert.com

The movie will bomb because all Tron movies have bombed. It is a niche franchise that only appeals to computer gamer nerds and electronic music fans. It has nothing to do with quality.

 

[Spyrone]

The movie will bomb because all Tron movies have bombed. It is a niche franchise that only appeals to computer gamer nerds and electronic music fans. It has nothing to do with quality.

This. The whole reason I'm considering seeing it is because of who is doing the soundtrack.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

This. The whole reason I'm considering seeing it is because of who is doing the soundtrack.

If you grew up watching music videos, the movie can be enjoyed as a 2 hour long music video even if you don't quite get every detail of the plot. The music and the visuals are that good.

 

[gwardojones]

TRON: Legacy was one of my favorite movies for a long time after it came out. I was really excited when I heard they were making a sequel after all these years, but was immediately disappointed that it was Leto in the leading role. I find his acting abrasive and showy, to say nothing of his personal antics. He draws attention to himself in a way that sucks all of the energy out of every scene he's in. His movies feel like he's stroking his own ego with every line, instead of trying to make the movie the best he can. No matter how much I liked TRON: Legacy, I don't have the energy to suffer through that dude's narcissism.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

TRON: Legacy was one of my favorite movies for a long time after it came out. I was really excited when I heard they were making a sequel after all these years, but was immediately disappointed that it was Leto in the leading role. I find his acting abrasive and showy, to say nothing of his personal antics. He draws attention to himself in a way that sucks all of the energy out of every scene he's in. His movies feel like he's stroking his own ego with every line, instead of trying to make the movie the best he can. No matter how much I liked TRON: Legacy, I don't have the energy to suffer through that dude's narcissism.

He’s very subdued in this movie.

 

[AlfaAlfaAlfa]

Well boys, guess we gotta go back to the only TRUE sequel to the first film.

Can't wait till Nightdive overcharges to fix this winner.

 

[meyo417]

I'm going to check it out. Always been a TRON fan & I'm not going to let shithead ruin my experience. He is in the movie to entertain me as his peasant ass should be. He's nothing more than a typical hollyweirdo treat him as such.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

I'm going to check it out. Always been a TRON fan & I'm not going to let shithead ruin my experience. He is in the movie to entertain me as his peasant ass should be. He's nothing more than a typical hollyweirdo treat him as such.

Unfortunately Hollywood is filled with weirdos. No reason to punish the thousands who work on a single movie because of one person. For example, Rosemary's Baby is a great movie and Mia Farrow's performance shouldn't be forgotten because the director is who he is.

Post automatically merged: Oct 12, 2025

If anyone has any doubt that the soundtrack bangs, check this out:

 

[Tbest25]

The only real sequels to tron:

 

[Neb Lleb]

The only real sequels to tron:

View attachment 118378

How about "No"?

EDIT: Like, have you even played Tron 2.0?

 

[Tbest25]

 

[Matricks]

This

View attachment 118383

This actor is boring af same as in Morbius.

 

[Kamako]

The film looks boring AF with a wooden lead. The soundtrack and the CG are the only things it has going for it. Can we give the whole "culture war" angle a rest please? Shit's been boring for about 5 years now. Nothing of value is gained from the conversation and regurgitating the talking points of "either side" just has the effect of making folks appear very receptive to algorithmic programming.

 

[Dakarus]

The soundtrack is better than the movie

 

[supershredder]

I liked it, but I have synth GAS. So I know Trent Reznor is most likely a high level composer. So I wanted to hear a different take than Daft Punk, a more dark ambient techno vibe. It didn't disappoint, aside from the fact I think the theater I was in was lacking in the subwoofer area, huge disappointment, I wanted to feel the whole building shake. I am just an analog bass synth lover at heart ever since YJM getting me into the Moog Taurus pedal. Anywho both I and my brother agree it was a mid tier movie, Tron Legacy still is the best out of them all. But if you have an IMAX 3D theater or one with an impressive sound system you will highly enjoy this movie especially if you are into playing, or producing any form of EDM music involving bass synth. OR if you are a huge Quake fan knowing of the high quality music that was created for that game, this movie is a must hear.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

The film looks boring AF with a wooden lead. The soundtrack and the CG are the only things it has going for it. Can we give the whole "culture war" angle a rest please? Shit's been boring for about 5 years now. Nothing of value is gained from the conversation and regurgitating the talking points of "either side" just has the effect of making folks appear very receptive to algorithmic programming.

I will say he's supposed to be wooden. He's supposed to play an AI automaton learning how to be human. But I totally get why people dislike Jared Leto and not trying to talk anyone out of it. I don't know exactly what he's done but I figure its the typical Hollywood creep stuff.

 

[Neb Lleb]

I will say he's supposed to be wooden. He's supposed to play an AI automaton learning how to be human. But I totally get why people dislike Jared Leto and not trying to talk anyone out of it. I don't know exactly what he's done but I figure its the typical Hollywood creep stuff.

I'm honestly actively interested in Tron Ares BECAUSE of the fact that they're going full cyberpunk with the premise and exploring themes of sentience.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

I'm honestly actively interested in Tron Ares BECAUSE of the fact that they're going full cyberpunk with the premise and exploring themes of sentience.

If you like movies like Frankenstein and Terminator, chances are you will like this movie. Its the same tropes but with a modern AI twist.

 

[Neb Lleb]

If you like movies like Frankenstein and Terminator, chances are you will like this movie. Its the similar tropes but with a modern AI twist.

Honestly all I thought as I watched the theatrical trailer was "Ghost in the Shell".

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Honestly all I thought as I watched the theatrical trailer was "Ghost in the Shell".

YES! That is a good comparison. They go back and forth between the virtual and the real world and there's some merger of both worlds in both series.

 

[Nickakyoin]

The only real sequels to tron:

View attachment 118378

Ironically that's how I've heard of the original Tron. I knew about Legacy (mainly thanks to Daft Punk) and had no idea it was a sequel to some 80s movies.

 

[Tbest25]

Ironically that's how I've heard of the original Tron. I knew about Legacy (mainly thanks to Daft Punk) and had no idea it was a sequel to some 80s movies.

Ayy, me too!

 

[Netra]

Leto is the best actor in the entire film, and honestly he does worse than in his work in Morbius, I can't say this movie is bad but I just don't wouldn't paid to watch it again.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Leto is the best actor in the entire film, and honestly he does worse than in his work in Morbius, I can't say this movie is bad but I just don't wouldn't paid to watch it again.

An actor can't save a bad movie. I never saw Morbius but I don't think Leto was the reason that movie failed. All of the actors looked bad, including Matt Smith, who is great in other things.