Disney truly brought its A-game with the new reveal for TRON: Ares. The trailer revealed a dark, neon-lit, cyberpunk thriller that ups the ante by bringing Programs into the world of the Users with Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges leading the charge.
That's cool and all, but what does this mean for fans who might not be as familiar with the original '80s cult classic? TRON has always been a visual feast, and it's garnered a sizable following worthy of three movies and a TV series. But how does this all fit together?
Welcoming new players to the world of TRON
Unless you've already seen at least the first film, you probably don't know who/what Programs, Users, Bits, or the MCP are, and that's okay. To say that TRON isn't a bit complicated would be untrue, but it's one of Disney's richest stories with tons of impressive lore.
A cyberpunk thriller really isn't something most would expect out of the House of Mouse, but as technology continues to advance, it's only becoming more and more relevant. It would be easy to say "just go watch the movies," but there's more to it than that.
The series might continuously evolve, but every bit and upgrade has a function. It's easy to get confused, but @longmirelp on TikTok shares a quick but thorough explanation of the world of TRON that should help make the waters less murky.
The original was an '80s classic; its sequel and prequel animated series expanded its rich sci-fi world, and its latest entry is already shaping up to be a different flavor for Disney. That's the element that keeps "Users" coming back for one more game. It shows Disney's experimental side.
Granted, Disney's latest experimental phase hasn't exactly yielded many positive results (we're looking at you, Snow White). However, TRON represents how Disney has changed the world of film.
The original was ahead of its time with its visuals and surprisingly complex narrative (for a Disney movie). The franchise has since allowed Disney to flex its serious side and enter the arena with other juggernauts of the genre like Dune or Blade Runner.
TRON: Ares is a new chapter for a cult favorite, and it will likely keep its cult status after the credits roll. From what we've seen thus far, Disney is definitely bringing something new to the table, repeating the tradition. Hopefully, the film will usher in a new era of sci-fi fanatics.
The entire TRON series can currently be viewed on Disney+.