On opening day, I opted for the IMAX 3D screening for TRON: Ares, and I’m glad I did. The 3D presentation genuinely adds to the overall feel and immersion of the movie, especially when the aspect ratio opens up once we enter the Grid. That shift is just chef’s kiss — it gives the whole thing this sense of scale and wonder that really fits the TRON aesthetic. The sound design is also incredible, exactly the kind of deep, layered mix that IMAX cinemas are made for.
Every hum, zap, and electronic pulse reverberated through the room. And that Nine Inch Nails soundtrack? Fantastic. It’s been hyped for a while, and hearing it on a proper sound system really made a difference. You can feel the industrial edge and atmosphere they brought to the world of TRON, and it fits like a glove.
TRON: Ares features an impressive ensemble cast led by Jared Leto as Ares, a powerful Program who crosses from the digital Grid into the real world. Greta Lee portrays Eve Kim, the ambitious CEO of ENCOM seeking to harness the “Permanence Code.” Evan Peters joins as Julian Dillinger, the calculating head of Dillinger Systems and grandson of the original antagonist. The cast also includes Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena, Ares’s second-in-command, Hasan Minhaj as ENCOM’s Chief Technology Officer Ajay Singh, Arturo Castro as Seth Flores, and Gillian Anderson as Elisabeth Dillinger. Jeff Bridges returns as Kevin Flynn, whose legacy continues to shape the fate of both worlds.
Now, as much fun as TRON: Ares is, I can’t help but feel it’s missing something. I don’t know exactly what, but there’s this slight emptiness to it — maybe it’s the pacing, maybe it’s the emotional core, or maybe it’s just that nostalgic part of me that still holds TRON: Legacy and the original TRON in high regard.
There’s a certain magic from the original and its sequel that this one doesn’t quite capture, though it definitely tries. It nails the look, the sound, and the tone, but it never fully hits that next level of awe I was hoping for. Still, it’s a good time — slick visuals, cool concepts, and a few genuinely awesome sequences.
I’ll admit, I’m not a huge Jared Leto fan. Normally, his performances don’t do much for me, but here I was actually pulled in by his character. It seems like his whole “never break character” approach during filming might have paid off for this role, because he fits surprisingly well in this world. There’s a weird intensity to his performance that works in the digital atmosphere of TRON.
There are also some nice Easter eggs sprinkled throughout for fans of the first two movies. They’re not too heavy-handed, but enough to make longtime TRON fans smile. And yes, make sure to stick around for the mid-credits scene — it gives a fun little tease of what could come next if Disney decides to continue the series.
As TRON: Ares was filmed for IMAX, it is worth noting that there are quite a few scenes that open up into the IMAX Expanded Aspect Ratio, and these work so well, they really take you into the world inside and outside of the Grid!
Does TRON: Areas Have an End Scene?
Yes, it does, but it’s more of a mid-credit scene that appears shortly after the first selection of credits rolls. Without giving too much away, we are introduced to a character from the film who connects with a well-known character from the original film. All we can say is that, in the Grid, this character was played by David Warner!
The Grid Looks Great in IMAX 3D
Movie title: TRON: Ares (2025)
Movie description: “TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
Date published: October 14, 2025
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 59m
Director(s): Joachim Rønning
Actor(s): Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges
Genre: Cyberpunk, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Summary
TRON: Ares is a stylish, immersive ride that’s worth seeing in IMAX 3D. It might not reach the heights of Legacy, but it’s still a strong and entertaining addition to the Grid.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
