Hideo Kojima shares his thoughts on TRON: ARES and the Depeche Mode references that stuck with him

THE Tron: Ares the review cycle would not be complete without it Hideo Kojima intervenes. The legendary video game creator is behind it Solid metal gear AND Stranded Death has transformed himself into something of a cult film critic on social media, always offering thoughtful and idiosyncratic interpretations of new releases.

This time, he shared what stuck with him after watching Disney’s latest installment in the Tron universe, and it wasn’t the story, the digital landscapes, or the flashy light cycles. It was Depeche Mode.

“I watched TRON: Ares. What struck me was how Ares kept quoting the Vince Clarke-era Depeche Mode song ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ throughout the movie.”

This little observation pretty much sums up Kojima’s unique approach to film commentary. He rarely says whether he likes or dislikes a film, instead, he focuses on an odd detail or creative impulse that catches his attention.

The film was directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Jared Leto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Evan Peters, Gillian AndersonAND Jeff Bridges.

The long-awaited third chapter of the Tron saga introduces a sophisticated artificial intelligence program called Ares that becomes self-aware and rebels against its creators. When Ares encounters a rival faction, he begins to explore what it means to be human – and that theme seems to echo in the Depeche Mode motif mentioned by Kojima.

Unfortunately, the film has not yet found its acceptance among critics, but the general public seems to appreciate it, and that’s what really matters. It has a B+ rating on Cinema Score, but it still opened with just $33 million domestically and just crossed the $100 million mark worldwide after two weekends.

This rocky start casts doubt on any plans for a sequel, despite the film featuring more story in the post-credits scene. However, those who appreciate the Tron universe can hope that in another 15 or 20 years Disney will try again. Regardless, there’s something fascinating about Kojima picking up the Depeche Mode thread.

Tron: Ares it’s in theaters now. If you haven’t watched it yet, you should!