Parijat Ghosh 
The digital grid is glowing again, but not everyone is impressed. Tron: Ares, the long-awaited sequel in Disney’s tech-fantasy saga, just premiered at its red carpet event, and the first wave of reviews is already buzzing online. Critics are torn — praising the breathtaking visuals and music while criticizing the thin storyline and lack of heart.
A Neon Dream Come to Life
If there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s that Tron: Ares looks stunning. Reviewers call it a “visual triumph,” filled with hypnotic light cycles, sleek digital armor, and pulsating neon worlds that make the Grid feel alive again. The cinematography, paired with flawless CGI, gives it the unmistakable futuristic flair that defined the series.
The film’s new soundtrack — composed by Nine Inch Nails — also earns glowing remarks. Though many fans missed Daft Punk, critics say the industrial tone matches the darker mood of Ares. The mix of distorted synths and pounding drums turns every action sequence into an adrenaline rush. For nostalgia lovers, there are callbacks to the original Tron and Tron: Legacy, making the movie a vivid continuation rather than a total reboot.
The Trouble Beneath the Surface
But as visually electric as Ares is, most critics feel it’s missing the human spark. The story follows Ares (played by Jared Leto), a program sent into the human world to bridge the gap between digital and organic life. It’s an ambitious setup — but the emotional core never quite lands.
Several outlets, including The Guardian and Rolling Stone, call the plot “muddy and overcomplicated.” The film jumps between heavy exposition and shallow character arcs, making it hard to connect with anyone on-screen. Greta Lee’s Eve Kim and Evan Peters’ Noah bring energy, but reviewers say their chemistry with Leto feels cold and distant.
Even Leto’s portrayal has divided audiences. Some call his Ares “mysterious and poised,” while others describe him as “robotic in all the wrong ways.” Supporting stars like Gillian Anderson and Jodie Turner-Smith shine briefly but are given too little to do. The result, many say, is a movie that looks alive but feels emotionally sterile.
Critics Split Down the Line
On Rotten Tomatoes, Tron: Ares currently sits at around 60%, a sign of how polarizing it is. IGN gave it 5/10, praising its style but calling it “a hollow neon shell.” Variety described it as “a thrilling visual experience weighed down by dull writing.” Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter was more forgiving, noting that Ares “connects the franchise’s legacy with new ambition,” even if the execution stumbles.
Still, audiences who love high-concept sci-fi and cinematic spectacle may find plenty to enjoy. Early fan reactions on social media are far kinder, with many hailing it as “the most beautiful sci-fi film of the decade.”
Conclusion – Tron: Ares dares to reboot a world that once defined digital imagination. It dazzles the eyes and shakes the speakers but doesn’t always engage the heart. It’s a film that feels both nostalgic and new — a visual marvel trapped inside a story that needed more depth.
But that’s just critics and us.
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