By: R.J. Melby

“Tron: Ares” debuted early fall of this year. Reviews have been mixed, with some praising the soundtrack (done by Nine Inch Nails) and brilliant visuals, but ultimately with most criticizing the disappointing script.

As a longtime fan of the series, I can understand the skepticism.

The original “Tron” first arrived in 1982. It followed the character of Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, a former computer programmer turned hacker who, through a series of events, ends up getting zapped into the company computer. With the help of a computer program named Tron (played by Bruce Boxleitner), Flynn must make his way out of the digital world. Now, the original film received mixed reviews. Yet despite all odds, it has since built a cult following, with a dedicated fan base still finding the story revolutionary for its prophetic depiction of computer programming and AI. It even earned a place in 2005 as a level in the game “Kingdom Hearts II”.

In 2011, Disney released “Tron: Legacy”, which had a soundtrack by Daft Punk. The world was revamped as The Grid, with snazzy new visuals and the return of Jeff Bridges. Fans looked forward to the new film, and Disney counted on that — creating toys and various merch to cash in on what they thought would be the next “Star Wars”.

Although successful at the box office, like its 1982 predecessor, “Tron: Legacy” also received mixed reviews. However, it still proved to be a financial success. Disney went on to create “Tron: Uprising”, a show on its Disney XD channel. Yet it would take 14 years before fans saw another film in the series. In the meantime, “Tron: Legacy” and “Tron: Uprising”, like the original, gained a cult following — with fans still celebrating and cosplaying the unique style of the Grid.

With “Tron: Ares”, one gets a bit of the old with the new. While Jeff Bridges returns (albeit in a minor role), Jared Leto, Greta Lee and Evan Peters do bring a certain charm to their respective characters. However, much of the joy derived from this movie, admittedly, comes from the callbacks to previous films. At certain moments, I would often turn to my partner with a big stupid grin on my face, loving every little reference. Nostalgia can get one far, but is that enough to carry a movie?

It seems the curse has yet to be lifted with “Tron: Ares”. Despite the film’s charm, Disney is still struggling to get the “Tron” franchise off the ground. Without a box office to justify investment, it is unclear if the story will continue. Some of the cast, when asked if they would return for another sequel, commented it would likely be years before fans see another “Tron” sequel.

Perhaps “Tron” will never reach a mainstream audience. However, if you are one of those who loved the first one, “Tron: Ares” is worth the watch.