Review: Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection

By: Denis Blot

December 2005

DVD Features Video: 1.33:1 Audio:Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Commentary featuring Creator Peter Chung and the original cast & crew Aeon Flux Pilot Aeon Flux Shorts Featurettes: Investigation: The History of Aeon Flux The Deviant Devices of Aeon Flux Production Art: Sketches, Storyboards, Model Sheets, Color Stills & Pencil Tests Other works by Peter Chung Liquid Television ShortsOriginal Airdates: 1992-1995 on MTV DVD released on 11/22/2005 by Paramount Running time of 221 minutes Director: Peter Chung

I confess that this past weekend I was one of the many who paid to see Aeon Flux and make it the number two film at the box office. I went to see it having low expectations, not only because the film had spent an inordinate amount of money on advertising and had a complete lack of reviews, but mainly because having been a fan of the animated series and shorts produced for MTV’s Liquid Television I knew full well that the wild action and imaginative stories (occasionally bordering on the surreal) could never be duplicated in a live action film.

The first half of the film is viewable, although several concessions have to be made, the main one being that you need to separate the film from the animated series. The film completely changes the storyline set forth in the series, including getting rid of the country of Monica, and giving Aeon Flux a sister! Monicans are now a rebel group within the confines of the country of Bregna, and Aeon is their most talented agent of destruction. After finding out her sister has been murdered by Bregnan security forces, she accepts a mission to kill the leader of Bregna, Trevor Goodchild. From this point on the film mimics several scenes from the animated series and towards the end the storyline turns into something reminiscent of the 1976 science- fiction film Logan’s Run.

Ultimately the film is a poorly constructed story, and I was grateful to learn that Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung had no hand in it (though he certainly could have made it better). There are some interesting effects put to use that will make you say wow-cool, but also some poor usage of CGI. If you are wondering why I am telling you so much about the movie, it’s simply because I would rather you pass on the film and put the money towards buying the Aeon Flux animated collection.

The box set which contains the Aeon Flux pilot, shorts, and animated series, has been a long time coming, and not surprising it was released in conjunction with the film. Watching the set will bring back fond memories of being introduced to animation which supplied both the violence and sexuality craved by young males, and for many a first introduction to the temptation a dominatrix can provide. One of the more interesting things one will notice while watching the set is the evolution of Aeon Flux. The pilot introduced us to her, as some sort of talented fighter who we never heard speak and who ended up dying. This character was maintained through the shorts, only to change in the animated series to rogue agent with a gift for sarcastic wit at even the most dangerous moments.

All the episodes have commentary by Peter Chung and/or writers for the series, the commentary is not always interesting and Chung can often be elusive in providing information. It is however, very entertaining to find out what MTV would and would not allow to be aired. It is also can be very unsettling while watching the short documentary: Investigation: The History of Aeon Flux, as the woman who does Aeon’s voice is shown and obviously does not look like Aeon in any way.

This set is a must have for Aeon Flux fans, and those who enjoy entertaining animation.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!