AEONFLUX (2005)

Directed by Karyn Kusama. Starring Charlize Thereon, Martin Csokas, Johnny Lee Miller, Frances McDormand.  Synopsis: A futuristic movie based on an MTV cartoon, resistance fighter Aeonflux resists against the ruling Goodchild Dynsasty in the last city on Earth in the 25th century. 

In talking about this movie, I need to tell you two things: 1) I'm not a big Sci-Fi fan 2) I am a Charlize Thereon (Monster) fan. I say that not because I am a reviewer who is under the mistaken impression that people I do not know even remotely care about my personal opinions, but so you can keep that in mind when reading what I have to say about this movie.

The only reason I picked up this film was because of Charlize, and I know the men reading this are snickering, the women frowning, but I really wanted to see her take on an action hero role. And, she does it very well.

The story is set in 2415 in the only city on Earth to have survived a plague of 2011, the survivors being the recipients of an antidote created by a scientist named Goodchild, the patriarch of the ruling Goodchild dynasty. Although the city is neat, beautiful, and serene on the surface, there is an unease and mistrust of government that most citizens cannot put their finger on. The resistance movement is dedicated to the overthrow of the Goodchild dynasty, and Aeonflux (Charlize Thereon) is one of the most able bodied and effective resistance fighters. She seeks to avenge the murder of her sister as well as carry out her duties for the resistance as given to her by the resistance leader (Frances McDormand). However, she is hampered in this by her strange feelings for one of the Goodchild descendants who now rules in the 25th century, Trevor Goodchild (Martin Csokas).

It is difficult to talk in depth about the plot of the film without giving away the movie's twist, but I will say that it involves the repercussions of an issue that is here and on the table, so to speak, for those of us living in the early twenty-first century. 

I think sci-fi fans will be pleased with the look of the movie, the futuristic and pristine look and feel of the city, as well as the emphasis on the beauty and preservation of nature. Also, there are the obligatory sci-fi effects, we see a fellow resistance fighter (also female, as all of the fighters seem to be) who has had a "modification" which replaces her feet with hands, giving her and advantage in her duties, the ability of Aeonflux and the other resistance fighters to meet with their leader via some sort of telepathy, which also allows them to converse with each other during this time, as well as the futuristic weapons.

Charlize drives the film, of course, and if you don't empathize with her character, you will not be interested in the film because it is not clear until the last fifteen minutes or so what is really going on. Fortunately, I believe you will because Charlize, again, reinvents herself and you believe she is a sleek, agile, and acrobatic resistance fighter even if the last time you saw her was playing the dowdy, hard drinking, chain-smoking serial killer in Monster. More importantly, you empathize with her feelings of frustration and angst, and appreciate her hidden feelings for the poster child of the hated government (Martin Csokas). Csokas was unknown to me prior to this film, but he also does a very good job, as it is important to buy and understand his character ot fully  appreciate the conclusion, especially as it relates to his more nefarious brother, Oren Goodchild (Johnny Lee Miller)

I think a big part of appreciating this film will be whether or not you are familiar at all with the MTV cartoon. I was not, and so I focused more on the story itself, without having to critique whether or not they stayed true to the character. The DVD contains several neat special features, and you will see some clips of the cartoon, which seems to be grittier, more violent and more sexualized than the PG-13 movie version.

The last thing I would say is that this is a film that has to be seen in one sitting to be fully appreciated, in my opinion. The plot is too vague and abstract for you to do the "watch- a- few minutes- then- do something else and come back to it later or tomorrow thing". Fortunately, it is a relatively short film and fast moving, so resolve to see it through when you begin watching it.