Aeon Flux.
• Aeon Flux.
I am loosing my mind. I though I already wrote about this. Perhaps it was all in a dream.
If this movie is anything it's pretty. From wardrobe, to set design, to miniatures, to cg-cityscapes; this movie is shiny and clean. Like a Kohler Sink or a Macintosh Computer; it's not -better- but it is visually appealing.
The movie opens in a homage to the MTV Classic. AEon catches a fly with her eye. I suppose if you can look within yourself, that part that engineers meaningless metaphors, it says something. Something like, "We are always being watched, and bound to get entangled by those who seek to control or oppress us". If that is what you are thinking then sit down, and shut up. This is supposed to be an sci-fi-action flick. On that level it does not disappoint.
The first thing it the movie seeks to get across is that this is a utopian-society, clean and sleek on the outside but confused and riddled with a cancer from within. You expect an all-seeing, all-knowing, dictator; a totalitarian government. This however is not the case. There is a figurehead. The same guy has been around for 400 years. But his actions are limited by a council of equals. Though he has the final say, the council -does- have a voice. And it demands to be heard.
Trevor Goodchild, the aforementioned figurehead, is not without heart. He does seek to bring stability to his empire and create growth within the walls of his kingdom. He is not an extremist, and wants what is best for -his people-. He is opposed by a zealot faction known as the Monicans.
I think Monican is a good name, kind of cool too, but the moment you forget it and realize it stands for -cyber-ninja- you will be better off.
The Monicans meet in secret, in a global subconcious, they plot to bring down the Goodchild regime. This is their folly; for they are blind and arrogant, and do not wish to admit that he wants what is best. This is a refreshing twist compared to an ultra-powerful Emperor who wants to rule the world. Goodchild already does, and had a decent childhood; thus he is not a psycho.
This movie has a lot of action. The lead actress does all her own stunts and moves, and aside from where she breaks into a facility at night, wearing all white, her missions are believably executed. For all her finesse however, she would be nothing if it wasn't for the cool toys that the Monicans engineer for her.
Towards the end of the movie, there is a long scene where a team of snipers deftly picks-off multiple targets from +200-yards away. This made me -very- happy; as I have dreamed of doing the same, and have on many occasions in Unreal Tournament 2004.
So far I have managed to give little of the plot away; and while I can say it's central themes stayed close to the serialized cartoon that aired on MTV so many years ago, this movie is not without it's pitfalls.
Let me say that the acting is horrible. The only character that I can stand behind for good delivery of dialog as well as a believable performance was the actor who played Trevor Goodchild. Knowing Trevor from the MTV series, he is -not- a good choice. Taking him for what he is worth however, he is the best actor in the whole movie. That may be praising him, but also realize what is says for the rest of the movie.
But let us not forget that this is an -Action- movie. In that it shouldn't matter if there is a plot or if you even know what is going on right? So long that there are bullets flying and limbs being broken by Kung-Fu action the that is supposedly what matters.
Behind a myriad of poorly delivered lines, and unemotional moments of pain and guilt, lies a plot. If you care enough to pay attention then you will learn why all these people are busy betraying each other and to what ends.
There are several characters that die in this film. The problem in that is we don't even get a chance to know them, or build a connection to them. I found myself as much at a loss for any real emotion on this subject as the main actress. The lack of early character development really does spoil what could have been a better performance.
Now I will nitpick. AEon had, a signature hair style. They -tried- to mimic this and fell flat. They easily could have added more gel to her hair or even made a plastic wig that she wore like a helmet (without it looking corny). As such that is just one of the ways they dropped the ball when adapting this to the big screen.
Secondly, there are many things about the Cartoon on MTV I don't remember, however the show's score is not one of them. I loved the music of the cartoon, and hum several of the tunes to this day. Even if they did not reproduce the score note-for-note; they easily could have used it for inspiration to make -new- psychedelic-instrumentals.
Thirdly. Wear some clothes. I am a guy. I find the female form appealing, but I also know that a good ninja needs to have practical gear. Wearing all white in a night-raid, or practically nothing in a gun-fight, is not practical at all. If you tell me that they did this to stick close to the show then I will be upset. This is one way they could have adapted and the believability would not have suffered. I love sci-fi, I love Action, but as far fetched as these concepts are sometimes, I need them to at least -try- and be believable.
In the end it is a good movie. I think it's glamor will be lost slightly in your homes and you should go see this on the silver screen. If you want to -enjoy- it however, it might behoove you to pick up the AEon flux box set that has just been released. This is all the shows, plus some, released for viewing on MTV; almost 10 years ago.
I give this a futuristic 4/5.
Stunning Backdrops and Architecture: +1
An Antagonist with Heart: +1
Kung Fu Action: +1
Ninjas: +1
Snipers: +1
Cool Gadgets: +1
Flat Acting: -1
No Real Loss: -1
Lack of Compelling Soundtrack: -0
I am loosing my mind. I though I already wrote about this. Perhaps it was all in a dream.
If this movie is anything it's pretty. From wardrobe, to set design, to miniatures, to cg-cityscapes; this movie is shiny and clean. Like a Kohler Sink or a Macintosh Computer; it's not -better- but it is visually appealing.
The movie opens in a homage to the MTV Classic. AEon catches a fly with her eye. I suppose if you can look within yourself, that part that engineers meaningless metaphors, it says something. Something like, "We are always being watched, and bound to get entangled by those who seek to control or oppress us". If that is what you are thinking then sit down, and shut up. This is supposed to be an sci-fi-action flick. On that level it does not disappoint.
The first thing it the movie seeks to get across is that this is a utopian-society, clean and sleek on the outside but confused and riddled with a cancer from within. You expect an all-seeing, all-knowing, dictator; a totalitarian government. This however is not the case. There is a figurehead. The same guy has been around for 400 years. But his actions are limited by a council of equals. Though he has the final say, the council -does- have a voice. And it demands to be heard.
Trevor Goodchild, the aforementioned figurehead, is not without heart. He does seek to bring stability to his empire and create growth within the walls of his kingdom. He is not an extremist, and wants what is best for -his people-. He is opposed by a zealot faction known as the Monicans.
I think Monican is a good name, kind of cool too, but the moment you forget it and realize it stands for -cyber-ninja- you will be better off.
The Monicans meet in secret, in a global subconcious, they plot to bring down the Goodchild regime. This is their folly; for they are blind and arrogant, and do not wish to admit that he wants what is best. This is a refreshing twist compared to an ultra-powerful Emperor who wants to rule the world. Goodchild already does, and had a decent childhood; thus he is not a psycho.
This movie has a lot of action. The lead actress does all her own stunts and moves, and aside from where she breaks into a facility at night, wearing all white, her missions are believably executed. For all her finesse however, she would be nothing if it wasn't for the cool toys that the Monicans engineer for her.
Towards the end of the movie, there is a long scene where a team of snipers deftly picks-off multiple targets from +200-yards away. This made me -very- happy; as I have dreamed of doing the same, and have on many occasions in Unreal Tournament 2004.
So far I have managed to give little of the plot away; and while I can say it's central themes stayed close to the serialized cartoon that aired on MTV so many years ago, this movie is not without it's pitfalls.
Let me say that the acting is horrible. The only character that I can stand behind for good delivery of dialog as well as a believable performance was the actor who played Trevor Goodchild. Knowing Trevor from the MTV series, he is -not- a good choice. Taking him for what he is worth however, he is the best actor in the whole movie. That may be praising him, but also realize what is says for the rest of the movie.
But let us not forget that this is an -Action- movie. In that it shouldn't matter if there is a plot or if you even know what is going on right? So long that there are bullets flying and limbs being broken by Kung-Fu action the that is supposedly what matters.
Behind a myriad of poorly delivered lines, and unemotional moments of pain and guilt, lies a plot. If you care enough to pay attention then you will learn why all these people are busy betraying each other and to what ends.
There are several characters that die in this film. The problem in that is we don't even get a chance to know them, or build a connection to them. I found myself as much at a loss for any real emotion on this subject as the main actress. The lack of early character development really does spoil what could have been a better performance.
Now I will nitpick. AEon had, a signature hair style. They -tried- to mimic this and fell flat. They easily could have added more gel to her hair or even made a plastic wig that she wore like a helmet (without it looking corny). As such that is just one of the ways they dropped the ball when adapting this to the big screen.
Secondly, there are many things about the Cartoon on MTV I don't remember, however the show's score is not one of them. I loved the music of the cartoon, and hum several of the tunes to this day. Even if they did not reproduce the score note-for-note; they easily could have used it for inspiration to make -new- psychedelic-instrumentals.
Thirdly. Wear some clothes. I am a guy. I find the female form appealing, but I also know that a good ninja needs to have practical gear. Wearing all white in a night-raid, or practically nothing in a gun-fight, is not practical at all. If you tell me that they did this to stick close to the show then I will be upset. This is one way they could have adapted and the believability would not have suffered. I love sci-fi, I love Action, but as far fetched as these concepts are sometimes, I need them to at least -try- and be believable.
In the end it is a good movie. I think it's glamor will be lost slightly in your homes and you should go see this on the silver screen. If you want to -enjoy- it however, it might behoove you to pick up the AEon flux box set that has just been released. This is all the shows, plus some, released for viewing on MTV; almost 10 years ago.
I give this a futuristic 4/5.
Stunning Backdrops and Architecture: +1
An Antagonist with Heart: +1
Kung Fu Action: +1
Ninjas: +1
Snipers: +1
Cool Gadgets: +1
Flat Acting: -1
No Real Loss: -1
Lack of Compelling Soundtrack: -0