Following from my previous post I was able to go and watch Tron Ares in IMAX. I went in with low expectations due to hearing about the general low sentiment from the various reviews. This possibly helped contribute to me thoroughly enjoying it.
Look, I'm not going to say that this is the best film ever or that it is life changing. Instead, this is another Tron film. If you liked the previous two films then you should like this. It's not that this film is a repeat (rehash) of what has come before. In fact, because more of this film takes place (meaningfully) outside of the grid it stands out. But, the focus on good versus bad in the context of how technology is used and the power surrounding its existence as a theme continues here.
The digital blurring into the physical
There is also the light touch philosophy around the use of technology and individual freedom and critique of big tech. I found it might go over people's heads, not because they are dumb, but because it is kind of subtle, more there for those who are particularly interested in these thoughts.
I echo this in my Letterboxed review which I might come across as quite generous, but I am looking forward to watching the film again once it is available for home release. That way I can better compare it to the other two films. I have continued to listen to Nine Inch Nails excellent soundtrack, which after having seen the film can see that the album works incredibly well as its own piece reflecting on technology, but also as an excellent companion piece to the film. In IMAX the score adds nicely to vibration almost turning it into a 4DX experience, without drowning out the dialogue; a sign of proper audio mixing.
The film does mention AI, but thankfully it doesn't really dwell on it. In a sense, because of how intelligent the "programmes" are, it's kind of a given. But, given what takes place (without spoiling) there are concerns about what happens with technology when misused by human individuals and corporations. Which I think is the best lesson to take from this.
Another thing the film successfully did was make me forget about the issues of Jared Leto. Many groaned when it was announced he was to be the titular lead. In reality, he is essentially sharing that lead, but also the production team has managed to reign him in. Yes Ares is a bit like Pinocchio (which the film does mention), but it works, almost making him likeable, or at the very least understandable in the context of the film.
I'm not here to say all the reviewers are hacks, but I think they had different expectations. It's not wrong to want perhaps more from a film, but this film is part of what is now a trilogy that has never done well at release, both critically and commercially. Years later the individual films are looked back upon fondly, at which point someone at Disney dreams up a new one, thinking "this time, this time it will be different".
