What did they do? How could this film have gone so wrong? Don't answer that. In Hollywood, anything that can be ruined for a profit will be! This could be a one-word review; another childhood memory tainted and nothing to ease the pain. We've been bent over, again. It hurts and you've been warned.
Frustration quickly set in after the first few moments. Aeon Flux was known for its complex storyline and awesome animation. As a live action film, the movie was going to have to compensate. Fans would cringe at a new storyline, and most of the animated action defied the laws of physics. Let's not even get into the outfits and hairstyles.
Turning animated characters into human beings isn't anything new. Hollywood has taken on many of these undertakings. Maybe it was the few successes that gave this movie a ray of hope. Maybe it was the casting of Charlize Theron as Aeon. The movie had potential. That is the most disappointing aspect of this bomb. It didn't have to be a bomb.
The movie was well cast. There wasn't a lot of talking in Aeon Flux; so most of the actors just needed to stand there and look pretty. The few key speaking roles were given to people who could actually act. Charlize Theron was an excellent choice for Aeon. She's hot and athletic. Marton Csokas was a nice choice for Trevor Goodchild, although, Trevor is supposed to be a blond. For the nitpickers, this will be a HUGE deal.
The storyline was rushed and while it is understandable they would want to condense things, ninety-five minutes to recreate the Aeon Flux feel was not nearly enough time. The action sequences were short and lacking and the storyline jumped around quickly. Get up to go to the bathroom and you're done, might as well go home. There was enough storyline to make two movies and if they were smart they would have looked into that option.
The special effects were topnotch. If the film has a saving grace, this is it. They didn't skimp in this department. It would be impossible to recreate the action sequences in the original show, but they did their best to make Aeon Flux come to life. The sound effects and soundtrack were nothing to sneeze at either.
Casting, special effects, sound track, all done great. And then they screwed up the storyline. The storyline was hard enough to get through in two seasons of Aeon Flux. So for them to try to do it in an hour and a half is almost criminal. If unfamiliar with the storyline, people will be lost and confused. Those who are actually familiar with the animated series will be highly disappointed.
If you were looking forward to this film, be prepared. There was only one way to tackle such a project; that's head on and full tilt. Not whatever they did here. Do not waste your time. If you do, expect disappointment and frustration. There is no way to recommend this movie to anyone.
"Aeon Flux" opens December 2, 2005 and is rated PG13. Action, Sci-Fi. Directed by Karyn Kusama. Written by Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Peter Chung. Starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Jonny Lee Miller, Pete Postlethwaite, Sophie Okonedo.
