Let's start with the source and just a little history.
First, I must give credit were credit is due. The original series was written and conceived by Peter Chung. Peter is no stranger to animation. He is also responsible for Matriculated from the Animatrix, The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury. Peter was also lead character designer for Phantom 2040 and Reign: The Conqueror. These feature his trademark lean, angular characters. Peter also co-designed the Rugrat characters.
Karyn Kusama directed this feature. Her debut production was Girlfight. Charlize Theron stars. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote the script. They are also responsible for Jackie Chan's The Tuxedo (ouch).
The story. (spoiler warning)
For the sake of argument let's say you have not seen the animated series prior to viewing the movie.
The story has some discrepancies which make it hard to maintian our suspension of disbelief. Shame on you directors and writers, it's your job to tell us the story and establish the rules of your universe even if your spaceships do make noise in space (At least he stuck with it).
The beginning tells us a secret war is going on. We later find out that Goodchild's brother is killing off women who are getting pregnant. Jump back. Dr. Goodchild, played by Maron Csokas, was responsible for saving the human race by discovering a serum to fight an unamed plague that was killing everyone off. Side Effect: strerility in women. Goodchild's jealous brother want's to keep women sterile and take Goodchild's place as ruler.
There are two problems here. One, the details of the cloning process are unclear. Two, the intentions and reason for the Monicann rebellion are unclear. For that matter, the whole second act is just confusing.
1) Goodchild has been cloning himself for some four centuries while working on a cure. That's just way too long. The story does not deal too much with cloning except in one scene where Goodchild says he re-teaches every clone as they come up. We are left to deduce that your clones are not you and they don't share your memory. They contradict this when Aeon says she has strange dreams and visions. Do clones remember what the original did or not? In any case it needs clarification in the story. Minor, but still...we could have got some more insight to the cloning process.
The story has holes you can drive a truck through. But that never stopped us before. See: Blade, Underworld (or most of what Kate Beckinsale's been in lately). I loved those movies despite their flaws. Aeon just doesn't seem to endear me. When it comes to cloning both Gattaca and The Island run much tighter and well written stories.
2) As far as what we the audience sees, the walled city they inhabit doesn't seem like that bad of a place. We see no hunger, crime, gang violence, rape or injustice. Aeon's sister is killed. But we don't even find out it's her sister till several scenes later. Maybe certain freedoms are suppressed but we never see it in the film.
Equilibrium had a much better reason for revolt (no self expression). Equilibrium also had better fight choreography. Yes the city is a rather sterile place which mirrors the plotline. I'm not sure how the rebellion, the Monicans, was formed or why. To be honest I was pretty confused during the second act. As viewers we need to see cause and effect, even for those familiar with the animated series. I'm sure fans of the series would have appeciated it too. Things were just rather muddled.
The Tech
The film itself has some cool stand alone concepts like swallowing a pill that allows you to astrally or telepathically communicate with others. Very cool idea. A neat idea by way of psionics or magic depending on your chosen genre.
The highlight was those dark little explosive balls you see rolling around in the trailer. Seem to be some kind of limited-intelligence liquid metal like the T 1000 in T2 except they can form bombs.
There's also some kind of symbiotic chest harness that teleports the wearer to different rooms. Needless to say, we as viewers were not clued in on what it actually was (sigh).
Another item of note. Freya has hands in place of feet. A "mod" that could really come in "handy" depending on the mission. I wonder if she can get feet back after the mission. Hey, what if you could...nevermind. There's a time and a place for everything.
The Choreography
Charlize seems quite spry. She also looks great in black spandex (rolls up tongue). Quick cuts and a lack of flow seem to mar the scenes. Editing will make or break your film. Can't pinpoint it but the fight scenes are rather lackluster. I'm probably just spoiled on the choreography and gunfights of Matrix, Blade, Underworld and Equilibrium.
Ideas and Concepts for Gaming
Hell, just watch the series. It's on DVD.
Summary
Like so many good films of late Aeon doesn't live up to its potential. Let's hope Hollywood itself is not becoming sterile. I give Aeon threes in style and substance because I appreciate the effort and welcome new contributions to the genre.
