AEON FLUX

Starring:
Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Okonedo, Frances McDormand, Amelia Warner and Pete Postlethwaite

Director:
Karyn Kusama

Running Time:
93 mins

Out to buy on DVD 22/05/06

  • A lack lustre script full of Sci-Fi cliches
  • Some stupid costume designs
  • Underused impressive ensemble cast

"I remember being with you"

In 2011 a plague kills 99% of the human population and for four hundred years the survivors have lived in Earth's last human city. Ran by the Goodchild regime, the city is a utopia or so they would let you think. People go missing, families disappear and information is lost but no one ever notices except the Monicans. This rebellious group will do anything to expose the murderous ways of the regime and are now ready to take their fight to the next level by assassinating the regime leader Terence Goodchild (Csokas) and there is only one woman for the job, Aeon Flux (Theron).

Comic book/animated series adaptations can be very hit and miss but can this Sci-Fi action flick hit its target?

The MTV futuristic animated series by Peter Chung gets the big budget treatment and a stellar cast but unfortunately it doesn't live up to its potential. The post-apocalyptic vision of a utopia gone wrong is nothing new in the science fiction genre and 'Aeon Flux' brings no invention or creativity to the premise. As the story of rebels fighting against a dictatorial regime unfolds you can't help but think you have seen this all before, only better.

The production design borrows heavy from most futuristic films from the genre. Stupidly outrageous hair and costume design combined with the usual building design of ornate gardens and large concrete structures make this nothing new but it does look good and is the highlight of the movie. Some of the action sequences also stand up but they don't make your jaw drop compared to any other film in the genre.

Even with the shortcomings of the script, director Karyn Kusama and the creative team have gathered together a very impressible cast or Oscar winners and nominees but they have managed to just make them look extremely silly. Both Frances McDormand and Pete Postlethwaite look absolutely idiotic. In very small but pivotal roles, the two experienced actors costumes are unintentionally hilarious. Sophie Okonedo plays fellow assassin Sithandra who has had her feet replaced with hands. Marton Csokas moves away from his usual villainous roles as Terence Goodchild.

It is Charlize Theron that comes off the worse however. Like Halle Berry did with 'Catwoman', she is the latest Oscar winner to pick a comic book loser after picking up the golden statue. While she does excel with the physical aspects of the film, it is the poor quality of the dialogue and the wishy, washy plot that let her down. Yes she does look beautiful in the tight fitting costumes but this does not make a movie.

'Aeon Flux' is a collection of Sci-Fi stalwarts that brings absolutely nothing new to the genre. Despite the all-star cast and the decent production design, this is a missed opportunity that will leave you feeling like you have seen it all before.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary by Charlize Theron and producer Gale Ann Hurd
The star of the movie and its producer provide an informative track for 'Aeon Flux'. While not as chatty or fun as you might have been expecting it to be, the pair talks passionately about the origins of the movie and the process of adapting the MTV animated series onto the big screen. They provide behind the scenes secrets and chat about the Berlin location but this does sound a little too serious for its own good.

Commentary by co-screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi
The men in charge of adapting Peter Chung's MTV animated series provide a fun and chatty commentary track. The pair chats lively about bringing the character to the silver screen and creating the utopian version of the future that Aeon is battling against. This is a better commentary than the first and you do learn more about the production from the writers.

Creating the World of Aeon Flux (20.50 mins)
Director Karyn Kusama, producers Peter Gale and Gale Ann Hurd, screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, creator Peter Chung, storyboard artist Robin Richardson and stars Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Pete Postlethwaite and Sophie Okonedo take you behind the scenes of 'Aeon Flux'. The featurette reveals how they transforming Peter Chung's MTV short animation series into a full-grown Hollywood movie. They talk about creating a utopian world and not sticking to the formulaic science fiction vision of the future.

The Locations of Aeon Flux (14.48 mins)
Director Karyn Kusama, producers Peter Gale and Gale Ann Hurd, screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, production designer Andrew McAlpine and location managers Mathias Brown and Christian Klempert show you the location that were utilised in Berlin, Germany. It reveals how the unique architecture of the German capital provided the futuristic, utopian look of the movie.

The Stunts of Aeon Flux (9.04 mins)
Director Karyn Kusama, producer Gale Ann Hurd, stunt coordinator Charlie Croughwell and stars Charlize Theron, Sophie Okonedo and Cardine Chikezie take you behind the scenes of the training for the fight scenes in 'Aeon Flux'. Here we see how Charlize and the other cast members prepared for the energetic sequences that combined martial arts, gymnastics and weapons.

The Costume Design Workshop of Aeon Flux (13.37 mins)
Costume designer Beatrix Aruna, assistant costume designer Alexis Scott and costume supervisor Meike Schlegel explain how they combined 40s style with organic colours to produce a period futuristic costume of the film.

The Craft of the Set Photographer (3.34 mins)
Still photographer Jasin Boland takes you through the equipment and the style he uses to be a still photographer for 'Aeon Flux'.

Theatrical Trailer (2.10 mins)
Watch the promotional trailer for the movie

Trailer
Watch a preview of 'Mission: Impossible III'

OVERALL

Paramount has done an excellent job with the DVD treatment of Aeon Flux. With two decent commentaries and featurettes that cover most aspects of the films production, this single disc is filled to the brim. It is just a shame that the quality of the film is not up to the DVDs standard. Fans should be very pleased.

DVD

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2006