Tron: Ares

Tron: Ares (Joachim Rønning, 2025)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=3

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Action, Adventure

I have always enjoyed the idea of artificial intelligence, from the first instances that I encountered the concept. Computers and robots are cool with seemingly limitless potential. The show Reboot was one of my favorite cartoons growing up and I love the original Tron and Tron: Legacy even more. The latest film in the series seemed very timely given that our world is now immersed in AI and is wrestling with the consequences. Tron: Ares is visually exciting, tackles some philosophical and ethical questions, and is a fun escape. There are some cheesy/sappy moments but the film isn't meant to be revelatory, so it works. Not as well-written as Tron: Legacy, but the visuals and music made up for that. I thought the music was the best part ;) I'd watch it again.

Here's how I rated Tron and Tron: Legacy (with updated ratings from 2025 included)

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Tron and Tron Legacy

Tron (Steven Lisberger, 1982)

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Updated Rating from 2025:

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Rating: Q=4, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=1, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

Technology, Action, Adventure, Philosophy

I had only seen bits and pieces of Tron, so it was high time that I watched it in its entirety. While I loved the concepts and the visual artistry, the story made me frustrated. I don't usually get angry at a film's writing unless it a) has a really amazing concept and b) introduces very interesting ideas and meanings BUT then does nothing with them. Tron is so cool and could be completely engrossing and immersive, but so many little things kept pulling me out of the film. I found myself asking, how or why or what's going on now in the outside world, etc. so frequently that it spoiled some of the fun of the brilliant world I was witnessing. The bigger meanings and symbolism that kept coming up in the story ultimately had no point when the film was over. That made me sad. But I loved so much about it--the mesmerizing visuals, the relationship between people and the technology they create, the music. I just wish that someone had written in a little more depth!

Tron Legacy (Walter Hill, 1978)

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Updated Rating from 2025:

Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Technology, Action, Adventure, Philosophy

I much preferred Tron Legacy to its predecessor--the writing was certainly better and more time was given to meanings. I still had plenty of questions and parts of the ending left me confused and ready for more (Tron 3?) especially with regards to the characters Tron and Cora.

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