Tron: Ares branded the ‘worst film of the year’ – here’s our review

Released in 1982, the original Tron still stands as one of the most iconic sci-fi movies of all time. 

Viewers gasped in wonder at its visionary special effects, which saw Tron’s human hero (then a young Jeff Bridges, who pops back for the obligatory ‘legacy’ cameo in Ares) digitally reborn inside a glowy neon computer mainframe. Fans were less wowed by the storytelling, however, an imbalance that’s been faithfully maintained throughout the franchise’s history.

And so we get Tron: Ares.

Limping in 15 years after the disappointing reboot Tron: Legacy, it is the definition of an unwanted blockbuster sequel and one that other critics have branded as the ‘worst film of the year.’

A painfully extended catch-up montage explains where the story finds us. Today, two rival mega-companies are both chasing the ‘Permanence code’ which will turn whatever you 3D laser print into a living thing. 

In the blue corner are the goodies, led by Past Lives actress Greta Lee and her breakfast burrito-munching ‘comedy’ sidekick (Arturo Castro). 

In the red corner are the baddies, led by Evan Peters’ bratty coder and his steely mum (Gillian Anderson), who have created a private army of ‘ultimate’ AI soldiers, armed with laser frisbees.

Commanded by the titular Ares (Jared Leto) and his deputy Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith), these infinitely expendable soldiers can leap into the real world, but only exist for 29 minutes, and then have to be reborn. 

Something Ares is getting increasingly narked off about. And if the movies have taught us anything, it’s that you don’t want to nark off an elite, assassin-trained AI.

‘Who am I?’ Ares asks Peters on being reborn. ‘Not ‘who?’ – but ‘what?’ corrects his creator. ‘Who cares?’ would be more accurate. There’s absolutely nothing to engage you with this hollow, boring, airless, and sexless movie.

Some totally groovy laser trail ribbons, the special effects are less memorable than the wincingly obvious brand and product placement. And since the ‘rules’ of what can kill you in the metaverse realm are unclear, suspense never revs up.

Sporting his signature beardie Jesus/Russell Brand look, Jared Leto, the ‘star’ of megaflop Morbius and currently facing #MeToo allegations, is miscast as Ares, but the support cast otherwise does a good job. However, there’s nothing substantial for them to grasp.

The script has zero interest in saying anything about the urgent topic of A.I. and mainly begs the question, who is this movie for? Fans of Tron will find yet another missed opportunity, and there’s nothing new to win over the next generation.

Plus points: a terrific score by Nine Inch Nails. Also, the trailer is properly exciting. Save yourself 119 minutes and re-watch that.

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