(courtesy IMP Awards)
SNAPSHOT
Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated program, Ares (starring Jared Leto), who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The highly anticipated sequel to the sci-fi classics Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010). Tron: Ares, also known as Tron 3, is directed by Norwegian writer / filmmaker Joachim Rønning, director of the movies Bandidas, Max Manus: Man of War, Kon-Tiki, then he moved to Disney & made Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and last year’s Young Woman and the Sea previously. The screenplay is written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne. Based on the original characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird for the original Tron (1982). Produced by Sean Bailey, Jared Leto, Steven Lisberger, Emma Ludbrook, Jeffrey Silver, and Justin Springer. (courtesy First Showing)
One of the great highlights of my young cinematically-enhanced life was seeing Tron at the movies in 1982 in the year of its release (yes, I am that old, thank you).
While the special effects are basic compared to modern CGI, there was something about the film that entranced me; Tron had a beguiling mix of otherworldliness and raw humanity that utterly gripped me and so, many years later when Tron: Legacy came out in 2010, it was a case of run, don’t walk to the cinema where thankfully I was not disappointed.
While the tendency to go all out on the special effects is always there these days, I am hoping that the spectacularly impressive Tron: Ares retains that mix of gee whiz sci-fi epicness and the emotionality that the first film especially used to really impactful effect.
The trailer is hugely promising with its mix of compelling storyline and Terminator-ish clashing of flesh and algorithm and you can be sure I will be there on opening night to see if it lives up to the heritage of the first two films and continue to dazzle this much older filmgoer.
Tron: Ares releases in Australia on 9 October and U.S./UK on 10 October.