Æon Flux

It's all so geekily gorgeous, it hardly matters that the narrative lapses in and out of incoherence and the dialogue is functional at best.

By forcing definition on Flux, the filmmakers rob her of any allure. What do they offer instead? Clumsy exposition, bland PG-13 gunfights and subpar computer animation.

The plot frequently resets/realigns itself in the fashion of "Lost" or "Alias," as good guys become bad guys, friends become enemies, and combatants become lovers. To portray confusion and uncertainty is one thing; to make a film this unsure of itself, wracked by its own faulty footing and reticence, is quite another.

While its heart is in the right place, Aeon Flux's head is just a little too high to make much sense.

This live-action cartoon tries to walk the line between pleasing the faithful and appealing to a broad-based action audience. It fails on both fronts: It's too lifeless and watered-down to stand on its own high heels, but commits the cardinal sin of messing with the original.

Aeon Flux is the sophomore picture from Karyn Kusama, who's first movie was a modest boxing film called "Girlfight." Here she's in over her head. The movie's sexual and scientific ideas never come through, and the characters would be fun only if they came with a joystick.

Aeon Flux is by far the year's worst movie, a most dubious achievement.

I just saw a re-run of this movie on TV. I liked it. Maybe because I find Charlize Theron hot and the action quite Matrix like (if you hate this style, don't watch the movie). What I really do not understand is the bad overall rating. I get that if you are not into SciFi/Action/Matrix style you will not like this movie. So in this case don't watch it. But why does "Mad Max: Fury Road" then gets a very high score (note: Also Charlize Theron in Mad Max) ? Yes: The visuals of Fury Road are great; but so are the visuals in Aeon Flux (of course a totally different style). The story in Fury Road is - non existent ? The story in Aeon Flux is actually pretty decent; (a lot critics mention that it is incoherable; but I think it's just spelled out very concisely, which means you have to concentrate to get it). So no: I do not understand the critics at all; especially when comparing Fury Road to Aeon Flux. (Of course as mentioned if you do NOT like SciFi/Matrix-Style/Action movies, then this movie is certainly not for you.)

The idea of the characters being copies of other persons prevented me from caring about them and the protagonist doesn't have a worthy opponent. However, 'Aeon Flux' has a lot of action, visually interesting locations and Charlize Theron at the main role, so it's pleasant to watch. ****

I cant say its great noir terrible. It entertained me, I didnt really find it that cheesy. Some of the futurism ideas were pretty cool in the closed off world. If you like sci-fi then this is at least worth a watch. Charlize Theron is beautiful and if you liked her previous work Im sure you will like her style in this movie as well. Not bad overall but easily forgotten if you ask me, solid popcorn flick.

MTV Films produces a live-action version of their cult cyberpunk cartoon, and the network’s buzz-enamored influence is hard to overlook. Back in the early ‘90s, Æon Flux was a foggy, sleazy highlight of Liquid Television, the channel’s experimental half-hour animation showcase. Her bite-sized adventures (only a few minutes long, and she usually died at the climax) were quirky, creative and memorable enough to merit three seasons of a standalone series. This film represents another step up, but also an extra layer of studio influence. Creator/showrunner Peter Chung was said to be humiliated by what it became, and I can’t blame him. Both iterations of the animated series were fundamentally edgy and challenging, not just in what they said or did but in how they looked. By contrast, this is about as soft and watery as it gets. Charlize Theron looks good in black - we’re provided ample opportunity to appreciate her curves - but she doesn’t resemble the character from the show. TV Æon was erotic but not always sexy, if that makes sense, while Charlize is every bit the traditional bottled beauty. She wasn’t hired for her stunt work, let’s put it that way, although it’s virtually impossible to tell where she ends and her double begins. This editing is so hyperactive, I felt like I’d been mainlining Jolt Cola for a month. Action scenes flicker like fluorescent bulbs, trying to cover for bad practical effects with a flood of obtrusive camera angles. Fights average around three cut-aways per punch. It’s downright epileptic. I guess the filmmakers sought that additional sizzle to make up for their narrow, boring vision of a dystopian future society. In a city of five million, last bastion of humanity after a near-extinction event, everyone speaks in the same dull, faux-cool monotone and nothing matters. Not even the female ninja with a set of surgically enhanced hand-feet has a scrap of personality. Don’t waste your time with this. Revisit the animated versions instead.

A lazy, and proposterous screenplay combined with paint by numbers action scenes results in arguably the worst movie of Charlize Theron career.