About

Features

Reviews

Community

Screenings

Archives

Studios

Home

April 2006 Aeon Flux DVD Review

(April: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Cur * Archive

By Kam Williams Aeon Flux DVD Review Cast: Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Okonedo, Pete Postlethwaite, Amelia Warner, Caroline Chikezie and Frances McDormand Director: Karyn Kusama Format: Color, Widescreen, NTSC Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number of discs: 1 Rating: PG-13 for sexuality and sci-fi violence. Running time: 93 minutes Studio: Paramount Home Video DVD Release Date: April 25, 2006 DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 5.1) Commentary by: Charlize Theron and producer Gale Anne HurdUnknown Format,co-screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt ManfrediUnknown Format Five featurettes: Creating a World, Locations, Stunts, Costume Design Workshop, The Craft of the Set Photographer Theatrical trailer

Theron Debuts As Action Hero in Adaptation of Animated TV Series Charlize Theron makes her action-heroine debut in this high-impact, female empowerment flick, a live-action version of the MTV animated series of the same name. The film features a mind-bending, sci-fi plotline that is actually more engaging than that of your average futuristic adventure. The 25th C. morality play takes place inside the antiseptic city of Bregna, a walled-in, virtual utopia which contains what's left of humanity in the wake of a devastating virus which has eliminated 99% of the world's population. The practically catatonic citizens of Bregna faithfully obey the dictates of Trevor Goodchild (Narton Csokas), an iron fisted despot who rules with the assistance of an all-seeing dirigible-like contraption which floats over his kingdom. But hidden amidst his blissfully-brain dead subjects are the Monicans, a sect of insurgents, led by Handler (Frances McDormand), who have come to question whether Trevor really has their best interests at heart. The spandex-suited, generously-cleavaged Aeon (Theron) is assigned to assassinate Trevor, with the assistance of her faithful, equally fetching protégé, Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo), a fembot programmed to kill without question. Between their skimpy outfits and the equally-sparse, angular modernistic architecture around Bregna's environs, Aeon Flux provides a visually stimulating experience from start to finish. And for all its early, otherworldly pretensions, it eventually settles down to relate a readily digestible, if implausible, cautionary tale, one laced with enough surprises to keep you engaged throughout. Sci-fi devotees might note that this plotline sounds a lot like that of The Island. But rest assured that this movie is no knock-off, offering its own unpredictable twists and turns, and more importantly, an impressive display of estrogen unleashed. Very Good (3 stars)

(April: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Cur * Archive