On Oct.10 the sequel to the Tron series was released with the next film being named “Tron: Ares.” The film was exciting, action packed, but at times felt redundant and plain, something we have already seen before. Director Joachim Rønning known for “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” made the movie with an all star cast including Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges.
“Tron: Ares” explores themes of AI in our world and the power it holds for good and for evil, along with the dissolving line between the physical world and the digital. In the movie two rival tech giants Tech-Com run by Julian Dillenger (Evan Peters), a descendent of Ed Dillenger the villain of the 1982 Tron film, and ENCOM, run by Eve Kim (Greta Lee), the protagonist of the story, both race to bring AI from the computers and screen of the “Grid” (which is basically servers) into the real world using advanced laser technology. They hope to create organic matter that will change the world. The only problem for both is the organic matter that is produced does not last more than 30 minutes; so the goal is to obtain the permanence code and create items that stay permanently in the real world.
Both have their personal goals after achieving the permanence code, but both are different. ENCOM is hoping to create weaponry that will change battlefields and soldiers that learn during combat and aren’t like humans that need water, food or sleep, while Tech-Com wants to use the technology to create food to combat world hunger and create cures for diseases.
The movie uses intense action scenes and chase scenes to show the emotion of the movie and the danger, but it also has some lengthy conversations and monologues that can be boring. The movie felt like a lot of other action movies that have come out in the past year or so. Copy paste. It was plain and based 50% on the game and 50% on a story like other action movies. Long chase scenes with bikes, planes, and jetskis (which I have to admit was super cool) and hand to hand combat drew on for a long time, ultimately losing my attention. Chase scenes were captivating and interesting at first but just seemed like they were meant to kill time. The dialogue between characters was enjoyable with banter between Eve and Ares with a joke here and there, but I believe it could have been funnier.
One of the most anticipated focus points for this film however was the soundtrack. Tron: Legacy (2010) had a soundtrack created by popular French duo Daft Punk known for their house, electronic and dance music. Although the previous soundtrack was appreciated, the new film had a soundtrack compiled by Trent Rezonor and Atticus Ross members of the popular band 9 Inch Nails.
The original Tron game was released in 1982 and featured little sound but the little that was in it was mostly synthesizers. Synths in the 80’s represented futurism and digital innovation in the growing digital world. Due to this almost all the Tron games and movies are deeply rooted in synth music and the feeling it sparks.
Daft Punk and Trent Reznor’s use of this music highlights its importance in creating the atmosphere and feeling that movies like Tron try to display. Overall, I loved the music and the deep hitting bass and synths that shoot out of the speakers making you feel as if you are in “The Grid.”
Along with the outstanding audio and cast the movie used incredible cinematics and camera angles to immerse the audience. Cool drone shots of chase scenes pulled in viewers and explosions and pixels being disintegrated added to the immersion of the move. Although the movie seemed long and “meh” at times the camera and speakers made up for it showing the movie vividly and in great detail.
I believe that the movie could have been better with a few minor tweaks and might be a bigger hit among another audience, but I personally was not moved or astounded by the film. It lacked a punch that set it apart from other films or even other Tron movies. 7.5/10. PG-13 due to action and thematic elements. Running time 119 minutes.
