It seems the battle is about to move to the real world for audiences. “Tron: Ares” is set to open in theaters on October 10, 2025, and critics have finally gotten a glimpse of the eagerly anticipated third entry in the Disney franchise. Their reviews echo a unified sentiment: while the film boasts a breathtaking soundtrack and visually stunning effects, its story seems to falter. Our own review echoed this sentiment, describing the movie as all style with no substance. However, it appears those dazzling visuals make up for the film’s narrative shortcomings.

“Tron: Ares is an audiovisual spectacle tailor-made for an IMAX 3D experience,” commented critic Scott Menzel on X. “During #TronAres, I frequently thought, ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,'” echoed Jonathan Sim. Courtney Howard from Variety agreed, saying, “#TronAres’s aesthetics are slick, radical & eye-popping, with the Nine Inch Nails score being new club classics that enhance the film’s visionary spectacle.” She also highlighted the presence of women in the film’s cast. Despite these praises, some critics have felt let down by the movie’s lack of coherent plotting.

Though celebrated for its visual achievements, it seems “Tron: Ares” falls short in narrative depth, with Jared Leto’s involvement drawing mixed reactions. “The plot is incredibly simplistic, and I couldn’t invest in any of the characters. If you’re still inclined to see it, make it an IMAX 3D viewing,” said SlashFilm founder Peter Sciretta on X, praising the film’s exceptional 3D visuals.

“TRON: ARES is a disappointment. The weak script offers no advantage to the new characters, giving it a high-budget direct-to-video feel,” shared Brandon Norwood. Fellow SlashFilm critic BJ Colangelo expressed mixed emotions, noting the film manipulates sci-fi tropes that tech enthusiasts often misinterpret, features genuinely cool action scenes, but suffers from a lack of charisma due to Jared Leto and distracting ADR. It seems viewers may need to overlook the uncomplicated plot if they want to fully appreciate the spectacular visuals and music of “Tron: Ares” upon its release on October 10.