If you’re on the fence (like I was) and are currently wondering if you should watch “Tron: Ares” in theaters or wait for streaming, I got you!
Disney invited me to attend an advanced 3D IMAX screening to review “Tron: Ares”, and honestly … I had my doubts! So here’s the full breakdown of what worked, what didn’t, and who this movie is really for.
Should You Watch “Tron: Ares” In Theaters Or Wait For Streaming?
My thoughts before screening “Tron: Ares” …
Okay, listen … I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to see “Tron: Ares” even after being invited to see it in 3D IMAX because I didn’t watch Tron as a kid.
I do love sci-fi, however, and honestly … the bikes looked really cool, so I figured I’d give this thang a shot. I watched “Tron” and “Tron: Legacy” a few days before my screening to prepare, but “Tron” (1982) was super muddy and not really my thing. “Tron: Legacy” (2010), however, sold me with its visuals, so I was cautiously optimistic. But even still … I had so much doubt, I polled my audience on Instagram to see if anyone would care if I reviewed this or not. Turns out, there were quite a few people who were interested, which I found out after deciding to attend and just enjoy a solo evening at the movies.
Since I decided to see the movie, of course, now I have thoughts …
Just like I did with the original, I have issues with this storyline …
The film itself is visually exciting, but it’s also emotionally flat. And I get that this is a sci-fi film, and its main focus is the special effects to bring this world together. But I do think there were a few things they could have done better to make this a GREAT movie. Because it’s not bad, it’s just not great.
There are flashes of heartwarming moments, and even a few chuckles here and there, but it lacks the intense drama and conflict it needed to push this over the edge into greatness.
It honestly feels like the filmmakers are just hellbent on making the same exact movie over and over, with better graphics, rather than creating a deeper and more intriguing story.
I needed more:
- humor and jokes, because those subtle jokes were a hit, and I liked laughing with everyone
- fight scenes, the few we had were done well and added another level of intensity the film needed
- heartwarming scenes and emotions, because I like a film that makes me FEEL something
That said, the movie offers plenty of nostalgia and callbacks for longtime “Tron” fans, but relies on them too heavily—and as cool as those references are, they don’t do much for the story.
Unfortunately, the music didn’t help much either …
Someone on Threads actually told me that Nine Inch Nails did the score for “Tron: Ares”, which I thought was so cool! But the soundtrack is so drenched in electronic music that it drowns out the emotion.
It’s just one steady pounding beat (so much so that my seat was vibrating like we were in a damn 4DX movie) and became overwhelming pretty darn quickly!
But when they threw that 80s pop song in there, it gave the film a bit of space to breathe, and helped lighten the mood, and invited a bit of fun into this cold-hearted dystopic world.
I’m not joking when I say the soundtrack tries harder than the story does to keep you invested. However, the sound effects were pretty solid, so I’m glad I didn’t have to cringe through those!
Now, for those of you worrying about the Jared Leto controversy …
… and his acting!
Please note … I may be biased here because I don’t hate Jared Leto’s acting work.
I know he’s been in the news, and I’ve never cared for him personally, as an actor. But I don’t think he’s a shitty actor … the way a lot of other people do.
So even though people have been buzzing about Jared Leto online, I honestly don’t think his performance is the issue here. It’s the script, baby!
Leto does what he can with the material, and just like with “Morbius”, the script and storyline hold him back, not his acting. (Have y’all seen him in Apple TV’s “WeCrashed”? It’s worth a watch!)
So yeah … Leto does well as Ares, but the story is predictable and one-dimensional, which keeps the emotional stakes from sticking their landing. And he seems to be cast in a lot of movies that are mid at best — do y’all remember “The Little Things” with him, Denzel Washington, and Rami Malek? God, that script was awful! Leto’s acting was actually one of the highlights of that film!
So yeah … his personal life: hate it all you want, baby! But his acting? Blame the scripts!
Do you need to watch “Tron” or “Tron: Legacy” before “Tron: Ares”?
Absolutely!
Had I not watched both films I would have completely missed all of the references, and there were quite a few! Catching the references was part of the fun watching this movie, so you’d be doing yourself a disservice this time if you skip those.
Although, the story itself is very explanatory — so technically, you could watch this solo. You may have to go back and watch the others to see who is who, and fully understand the movie though.
Watching both the original “Tron” (1982) and “Tron: Legacy” (2010) adds context to this more modern world and its characters. And without it, the story may not be as enjoyable.
With that said, should you watch “Tron: Ares” in theaters or wait for streaming? The honest truth …
Theater Experience Pros:
- It’s super fun to watch in 3D IMAX—especially for fans of the Grid’s neon aesthetic.
- Motorcycle and flying sequences feel immersive. I can’t wait to ride Tron at Disney World now!
- The easter eggs for longtime “Tron” fans are fun to catch on the big screen!
- If you already love watching movies on the big screen, this is great for a relaxing night out, solo.
Streaming Pros:
- If you’re not invested in this story, streaming is fine—save the funds for upcoming movies!
- You’ll avoid the loud electronic music assault, since you can control your own volume.
- If you get bored, you can just turn it off and watch something else. This may not be for everyone.
Verdict: If you can’t WAIT to see “Tron: Ares”, loved “Tron” growing up, and enjoy the thrill of being in the Grid, you should definitely watch this in theaters. But if you’re new to this world, looking for a deep story or compelling action movie, you should just wait until “Tron: Ares” is streaming on Disney+.
Now, if you’re heading to theaters … you might be wondering if you should watch “Tron: Ares” in IMAX or 3D IMAX?
And as someone who almost always watches movies in IMAX now … watching this one in 3D IMAX was super cool! So if you can splurge for 3D IMAX, definitely do!
The 3D IMAX experience really elevates “Tron: Ares” with immersive lights, and the special effects make the futuristic world (and Grid) look spectacular.
Four Eyes Disclaimer: I’m still shocked the 3D glasses fit over my regular glasses, which are huge by the way—and thank goodness, because that meant I didn’t have to HOLD them in place for the entire movie.
P.S. – Sitting closer to the screen than I normally do definitely made a difference. I’m a middle, middle kinda gal, so I was a few rows closer to the screen than normal, and it was perfect. Don’t sit in the back!
Overall …
“Tron: Ares” is a visual feast, perfect for fans of IMAX, 3D, and neon cyber dystopian worlds, but it lacks the drama and intensity to make it truly memorable.
Jared Leto does the best he can with an underdeveloped script, but the Easter eggs and references delight longtime fans, and the spectacle will satisfy anyone craving a futuristic ride.
Movie Rating: 🌐🌐🌐🌐 4 out of 5 Grid Discs for a visually stunning, but fun ride for Tron enthusiasts.
Recommendation: Treat yo self to a solo escape and see it in theaters (3D IMAX if possible) for the full sensory experience if you’re looking for a chill and cozy night out. Otherwise, save your coins and stream it at home. Either way, “Tron: Ares” is worth a watch, and you’re in for a flashy, nostalgic journey that’s delightful despite leaning heavily on style over substance.
This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
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[…] And I loveeeeee a sequel that actually respects the original movie instead of just recycling it. Tron: Ares baby, I’m looking at […]