Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
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I've been putting off watching Aeon Flux for a while, although I'm not too sure why. It probably had something to do with the negative feedback it gained after promising so much. Adapted from a sci-fi series in the early 1990s and starring Charlize Theron, who is usually on fire on screen, I was surprised when it got slated, but last night, with the wife round at a friend's house and son William tucked up in bed, I thought I'd give it a go.
The plot is far fetched, but then it's sci-fi fantasy. In the year 2011, a virus kills 99% of the World's population. Dr Goodchild creates a vaccine, and takes the remaining 5 million inhabitants to a safe location to try and reconstruct humanity. 400 years later, the Goodchilds have continued to run the government and improve things, but now there is a small gang of fighters known as the Monicans who have noticed the regular
disappearance of people, and with the government appearing to cover it up, they attempt to overthrow this government and expose the truth.
So, the plot seems okay. Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) is a Monican, and teams up with Sithandra (Sophie OKenodo) to infiltrate Goodchild's base and take him out. She is sent by the Handler (Frances McDormand), and this is where the sci-fi kicks in. The Handler communicates via a sort of telepathic link, with the Monicans swallowing a pill which connects to the neurons in the brain and visualises the recipient in a chamber, having a conversation. Other interesting quirks are Sithandra's four feet instead of two hands and two legs - makes for some interesting acrobatics, I can tell you; and some quirky defence mechanisms for the city.
The fight choreography is very good, although it seems extravagant and gravity defying and just enters the classification of 'over the top'. But then, it's sci-fi and anything goes, right? Trevor Goodchild is the man in charge, and he is ably played by Martin Csokas. His rebellious brother Oren is played by Johnny Lee Miller, and the two actors combine rather well, even if it does seem a little strange.
I will say, at an hour and a half long, the film is probably a bit too long for what it is, but if you look past the strange plot and get over some ham acting, it's actually not that bad. I'm not about to start jumping from the roof with excitement, and it does drag in many ways. There are attempts to provide atmospheric and dramatic scenes which just don't come off, and the moodiness of Aeon is not mastered by Charlize Theron. This, however, is overshadowed by Theron's wardrobe for the film. Many figure hugging leather suits will take a lot of people's minds off the lack of excitement the plot and acting will give you, and at one point she's walking around wearing a carefully placed 2 metres thin strip of cloth, and yes, the clothing change is regular enough to just make you wonder what's going to be showing next, but again, it's not enough to take away the fact that it's kind of dull.
The film is decent enough in places, but by the end, I was drifting off. Director Karyn Kasuma would have been better off doing this as a one hour special, as there's not enough to stretch it that extra half hour without a certain element of boredom setting in. I felt like shouting 'Get on with it!' from time to time, and felt that they were deliberately eeking out every second possible. Take away the fact that it drags, it's still not great, but does okay. I'm toying with giving it 3 stars, but I think 2 stars is more reflective of my opinion. As a one hour episode for a TV series, it would get 3 stars, but this is meant to be a feature film, and at an hour and a half, it doesn't quite cut it.
The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £4.98. My copy has no extras, which is fine by me! This film isn't as bad as Ultraviolet (more exciting as a colour than a film) as it does actually hold together with a point to the plot, but it's not really that good and I won't be watching it again.
Also posted on dooyoo under the same name.
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Like the animated series its based on,Aeon Fluxis the kind of sci-fi thats best ... more
appreciated by the MTV generation. Its a serious attempt at stylized, futuristic action/adventure (the title character, played by Charlize Theron, is essentially a female J...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Like the animated series its based on,Aeon Fluxis the kind of sci-fi thats best ... more
appreciated by the MTV generation. Its a serious attempt at stylized, futuristic action/adventure (the title character, played by Charlize Theron, is essentially a female J...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Expertly Trained. Ruthlessly Efficient.Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron stars as Aeon ... more
Flux, the underground operative fighting totalitarian rule in 25th-century Earth's last living city.Aeon is the rebels' best hope of overthrowing the oppressively...
Advantages: GREAT stunts and special effects, Theron looking stunning! Disadvantages: Some of the characters lack the depth that would make them engaging
mkkreuk 29.09.2007 (29.09.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Aeon Flux (DVD)
Advantages: GREAT stunts and special effects, Theron looking stunning! Disadvantages: Some of the characters lack the depth that would make them engaging
mkkreuk 29.09.2007 (29.09.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Aeon Flux (DVD)