Tron Ares 3D Movie Review

October 10, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, 2025, Tron Ares, Tron

Tron Ares 3D Movie Review

Movie Review by Jacob Scarberry

3D

Overall the 3D aspect of Tron Ares is pretty dang good. The film has a distinct unique art style that in theory works well for the 3-D format. The film looks its best in 3-D when in the world(s) of Tron. At times the grid lines visually pop in 3D, with incredible depth and some pop-outs (The scenes are very brief). Moving into the “real” world, the color palette tends to get desaturated quite a bit, dulling the colors, and dulling the 3D quite a bit, with only the primary colors (namely red) feeling punchy and adding to the 3D visual experience. My primary complaint is the absence of significant pop-outs (it has some, but not nearly enough).. The "de-rezzed" NPC remnants moving towards the viewer, a few laser gun barrels, and the power discs moving in from the projector to the actors - these moments are when the 3d excels. Sadly a few scenes of ghosting at the edges of the picture occurred as I watched the film (very brief). Overall, I had high expectations for Tron Ares, anticipating a visual feast of 3D effects. However, I was disappointed to find that the 3D elements were limited and not as prominent as I had hoped.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

I have been aware of the Tron films for decades now, from seeing the old-school Disney VHS clamshell on the shelves at Blockbuster Video, to seeing the various toys and video games out there, and not to mention the legendary Tron Guy meme on the olden days of the Internet. Tron, a cult favorite for over four decades, finally captured my attention this past week. I meticulously prepared for this film by watching the previous two films in series. Sadly that was a waste of time as Tron Ares is low-key soft reboot of the film series. This film barely acknowledging Tron: Legacy as all except for a few passing references.

The plot of Tron Ares is that the character of Ares, a self-aware program, is sent to retrieve the permanence code from old floppy discs. The code is crucial for bringing digital constructs into the real world. Will this code go into the wrong hands? You will need to watch the movie to find out.

Yeah, I gotta admit, I really don't like the Tron movies. The entire film franchise is guilty of having poor world building, muddled narratives, underbaked motifs, and motivations. I fail to see why the films are considered cult classics, besides the neon-hued set designs and a terrific Daft Punk score for Legacy. I mean, how did a company that went from making arcade games go on to become a tech giant, making way too advanced software for its time and a laser that, quite frankly, was always in an unsafe location, with no protective barrier between the computer and laser? Major OSHA violation there, but there are light (and I mean light) touches on religion, software gone astray, and AI possibly being too powerful in the wrong hands, that are fumbled in the entire trilogy.

I’m sorry but the Tron film series just fall flat (including Ares). Tron Ares has performances that are mediocre, direction feels generic, and the screenplay is super predictable. The only real positives are the terrific visuals (except for some scenes in the real world that feel washed out with a lack of color and contrast) and the amazing Nine Inch Nails soundtrack. Everything else is just the biggest, fattest mid-movie Disney could muster after 15 years in between sequels and 40 years of a franchise that should never have been. It's truly amazing how a trilogy of films could be so damn boring yet achieve a sizable fandom. In the words of the popular meme from the decade-old animated film The Lorax, "Let it die! Let it die! Let it die!" and this time for good.

Final Movie Score: 5/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

https://movies.disney.com/tron-ares

The Bad Guys 2 3D Movie Review

August 01, 2025 by Jacob Scarberry in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, The Bad Guys, The Bad Guys 2, Bad Guys 2, Bad Guys

The Bad Guys 2

3D Movie Review

By: Jacob Scarberry

3D

Possibly the best 3D of the summer—if not the year (so far). No joke. While we’ve seen plenty of quality 3D films in 2025, there’s also been some surprisingly mediocre entries, even in the animated space. The Bad Guys 2 doesn’t have the single best 3D shot of the year (that title still goes to Elio’s opening scene, with the spaceship literally entering the audience), but it easily boasts the most consistent 3D experience of the summer.

Pop-outs happen regularly—brief, yes, but frequent. The depth is spectacular, and best of all, there’s not a single bit of ghosting. That’s saying a lot, given how common ghosting has been across this summer’s 3D slate.

My only real gripe? The editing and animation are so fast-paced, you barely have time to enjoy the pop-outs before they’re gone. I wish we could linger on some of them just a little bit longer. Still, this is without a doubt the editor’s choice for Best 3D of summer 2025.

Final 3D Score: 9/10, Editor’s Choice Award

Movie

Sequels are hard—especially in the family-friendly corner of Hollywood. Too often they’re just cash grabs, bloated messes with “more” crammed into every frame. But The Bad Guys 2 takes a smarter, less-traveled route: give us just enough more, without losing the charm, creativity, or heart of the original. And you know what? DreamWorks absolutely nails it.

The movie kicks off with a flashback: five years before the present day, the Bad Guys™ recruit hacker genius Ms. Tarantula to help infiltrate the mansion of—no joke—The Billionaire (yep, that’s actually his credited name). Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha pull off the heist, stealing a prototype vehicle and evading the cops.

Fast-forward to the present. The Bad Guys™ are officially “good” now, but the world hasn’t fully forgotten their past. The car’s falling apart, bills are piling up, and legitimate jobs are nowhere to be found. Just as they begin questioning their new path, a mysterious new criminal—The Phantom Bandit—enters the scene.

Teaming up with their former nemesis-turned-Commissioner Luggins, the crew investigates, only to be framed and blackmailed by a new trio of villains. Their mission? Steal a smartwatch from billionaire space enthusiast Mr. Moon (Elon who?), and hijack his rocket in a bid to steal all the gold on Earth. So now it’s up to the Bad Guys™ to stop the plan, clear their names, and decide once and for all whether to stay good—or go bad again.

I’m honestly shocked by how good this was. Based on the trailers, I was fully expecting lowest-common-denominator fluff filled sequel. And yes, there are fart jokes—of course there are—but the film is surprisingly mature in some respects. It’s not just a flashy heist comedy where everything always goes according to plan. Things go wrong. Plans fail. And there are real consequences for the characters. That gives it a surprising edge and depth I didn’t expect from a “kids’ animated” movie—and I loved that.

Now, the heist plot itself isn’t revolutionary. It’s solid family fare, and there’s even a Silence of the Lambs parody randomly thrown in with Prof. Marmalade. It doesn’t all perfectly gel, but it’s undeniably fun and entertaining.

Visually, the film is stunning. The animation is rich and dynamic, with comic book-style flourishes and 2D embellishments that make the action pop. The voice cast is top-tier—Sam Rockwell, as always, is fantastic, and the rest of the cast delivers across the board. I also want to give a special shout-out to the sound design, particularly during the space scenes. Even without Dolby Atmos, the mix was superb—quiet moments in space with perfectly muffled low-end audio gave it a real sense of immersion.

My only real complaint? Some of the immature humor(seen in the trailer)—especially the fart gags—did make it into the final cut. Not an overwhelming amount, but enough that you notice. Teehee. Still, The Bad Guys 2 is easily one of the best family films of the summer. It’s clever, funny, action-packed, and manages the near-impossible: it stays just as good as the first movie.

With impeccable talent doing amazing work across the board, The Bad Guys 2 is a must-see —don’t miss out.

Final Movie Score: 9/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

You can read our review of the original Bad Guys movie via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/the-bad-guys-3d-movie-review

Official Website :

https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-bad-guys-2

Nezha 2 3D Movie Review

August 01, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Nezha, Nezha 2

Nezha 2 3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

I watched the film with English subtitles in its original spoken language (Mandarin). This review reflects this experience.

3D

The 3D presentation in NeZha 2 is well-executed, with strong separation between layers and a great sense of depth throughout the film. Scenes are beautifully composed to take full advantage of the format, with immersive environments and characters that naturally stand out from the background. A particularly nice touch is how the subtitles are positioned on a higher 3D plane, making them feel integrated rather than distracting. The film also makes excellent use of slow-motion sequences, which are visually stunning in 3D, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the detail and artistry of the animation. While pop-out effects are used sparingly—mostly toward the ending—they add excitement (arrows flying toward the screen) without feeling gimmicky.

That said, the 3D could have been stronger. While the depth and separation are impressive, the overall effect sometimes feels restrained, as if the filmmakers held back. A few more dynamic pop-out moments or deeper layering in certain action sequences could have made the experience even more immersive. Another factor was limited availability—I only had access to one theater chain with a handful of screenings, so it’s possible that other potential setups (IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema, etc) offer a stronger experience. Perhaps my theater was showcasing the movie in an imperfect way (I don’t know 🤷🏽‍♂️ ). One small disappointment was that the credits and mid-credits scene were presented in 2D only, making the transition feel a bit jarring. I did miss the 3D when I watched those scenes. Overall, the 3D in NeZha 2 is great, but falls just short of perfection.

Final 3D Score: 8/10

Movie

NeZha 2 came out of nowhere for me—I hadn’t seen a trailer and didn’t even know it existed until recently. Nezha 2 might be difficult to find in the US, but it’s absolutely worth seeking out.

The film opens with a short but effective recap of the first movie, making it easy to jump back into the story. That being said, watching the predessor is highly recommended to fully appreciate this sequel. The story revolves around evil dragons threatening the town. NeZha needs to stop the dragons, but currently he isn’t strong enough , requiring him to train, meet new allies, and gain power to face the threat. Unfortunately, the first half feels slow and repetitive, weighed down by prolonged training sequences and character interactions that don’t always add much to the story. While the comedy works well (a little gross and immature) and the character dynamics are enjoyable, the pacing drags early on. Perhaps due to my lack of familiarity with the lore, I found myself a little confused by how magic works in this universe. However, everything changes dramatically around the halfway point when an unexpected event shifts the tone completely. From this moment on, the film becomes far more engaging, with emotional stakes that resonate. Even though I don’t fully understand all the cultural and magical elements (I am American, and I didn’t grow up with this story), the storytelling remains gripping, and the voice performances are masterful, conveying raw emotion and gravitas. The film leans into well-worn anime tropes, but it executes them so well that they feel earned rather than cliché. The biggest issue is the sheer number of characters, many of whom feel undeveloped or exist solely to be defeated by NeZha. This movie made me cry on two separate occasions, and in both instances, it was earned. Nezha 2 may appear like just a basic action movie, but it has heart and some truly great character movements.

Visually, NeZha 2 is on another level. The animation is breathtaking, with fluid, high-energy action and stunning visual choreography that looks truly cinematic. This movie is simply too epic to be fully appreciated at home—it needs to be experienced in the cinema on the big screen. The film’s use of color, lighting, and movement elevates the experience, making even the slower moments visually captivating. The art is rich and it looks so detailed and beautiful. The final act was jaw dropping in its visual scope. Nezha 2 is a visually gorgeous animated movie that will surely amaze you with its superb visuals and excellent animation.

In the end, NeZha 2 far exceeded my expectations and is easily the best movie of 2025 (so far). If you do see it, stick around for the mid-credits scene (no post credits scene). This mid credits scene is both important to the story, and is laugh-out-loud funny . Simply put Nezha 2 is a must watch.

Final Movie Score: 9/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://cmc-pictures.com/nezha-2/

You can read our review of the original Nezha movie via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/Nezha-3D-Movie-Review