Tron: Ares, the new sequel to the Tron series, one of the memorable science fiction films of the 1980s, is counting down the days for its release. The series, which last premiered in 2010 with Tron: Legacy, returns to the big screen in many countries, including Turkey, on October 10th. However, the initial reviews released after the pre-release press screenings have revealed a disappointing picture for fans.

Did Tron: Ares meet expectations?

Tron: Ares didn’t meet the expected passing rating from critics. Today, the film’s ratings have been released. The film has a MetaCritic score of 50, while its approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes remains at 54 percent.

The film has generally been praised for its elements. While the film’s visuals and the soundtrack composed by Nine Inch Nails received positive reviews from critics, the story is considered the most detrimental factor. Critics’ comments converge on the film being “flashy but empty.”

The storyline underpinning the previous films in the series takes a different approach. The first Tron film depicted Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, being drawn into the digital world, while 2010’s Tron: Legacy applied the same formula to Kevin’s son.

Tron: Ares, however, reverses this dynamic. Instead of a real-life person entering the digital world, the film tells the story of a piece of software called Ares taking its first steps into the real world.

The film stars renowned actor Jared Leto. He is joined in the cast by Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Cameron Monaghan, and Jodie Turner-Smith. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who also directed Pirates of the Caribbean: Episode 5. With these low ratings coming just two days before its release, the film faces an unexpected outcome for Disney.