Disclaimer: I’m a blind film critic. I watch films with audio description. I have now seen this twice, once without, and once with. the audio description is deluxe, narrated by Laura Post.

Speaking of high tech, if there was a way to download a patch that would let me enjoy Tron, I would. I have such a hard time with the original film, which is just not anywhere near my nostalgia bait. To be fair, it did open before I was born, so I was reliant on a home video viewing, or a cable watch. it took a long time for that to happen, and when it did, aside from looking cool, I really did not enjoy it. Tron Legacy was a default step up, and Ares walks it back.

However, I find it hard to throw a rotten score at a film I did actually enjoy. if I had been texted by a friend immediately after my viewing, I would have recommended it. Not with a radiant or glowing endorsement, but I had enough fun. I actually enjoyed Razzie nominee Jared Leto as the titular Ares his mostly emotionally void performance works as he plays AI personified,and either it was this, or having some upbeat cheery Flo from progressive style AI.

The film could have quickly fallen into Macguffin territory, except the thing everyone is looking for is actually necessary to Ares.Everyone is trying to get the permanence code, which would allow an AI to survive in the real world for longer than 29 minutes. Ares needs it for survival, and has the dilemma of fighting his boss (Evan Peter’s) for the chance to have autonomy.

He teams up with a hacktivist (Greta Lee) to try and keep the permanence code where it belongs. The pros of the film were the pacing, a solid ensemble that also features Gillian Anderson, Jodi Turner Smith, and Hasan Minaj, and a killer score from Nine Inch Nails. It certainly did have its charm, and some fun action sequences.I won’t claim it is the smartest film around, and truly can’t figure out how to link itself to other Tron movies effectively. The way they utilize Jeff Bridges here is how we use actors and actresses after they die.

For all who didn’t like it, I validate your feelings. I get it. But this film is right near the middle, and as a result, I lean positive. I enjoyed most of it, even if I felt something wasn’t explained well enough, or the simple execution didn’t work. Not only did Bridges lack of a meaningful contribution disappoint me, but Gillian Anderson is better than the role she’s given as well. Oddly, most of the cast struggles at some point. Leto was the one I actually thought was consistent and solid.

Laura Post’s audio description is fantastic, but this is exactly the kind of film that has so much to describe. A futuristic science fiction fantasy, and the team at Deluxe did some wonderful work.

I’m not sure Tron: Ares needs its own permanence code, but casual fans of the series will appreciate some inventive action sequences. AI just wants to be as real as Jared Leto, and his so called life.

Fresh: Final Grade: 6.1/10