Aeon Flux (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

Violent -- not for younger kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the film, as it follows an assassin on her mission, includes violent, bloody scenes, in particular, repeated martial arts fights (with sounds of bones breaking), stabbings and shootings (with automatic weapons as well as sniper-style guns), a woman's murder by government agents (she opens the door, expecting someone else, and the film cuts from her surprised face to the next scene), explosions (of buildings and a floating blimp-like lab), and several on-screen deaths of recognizable characters (villains and seeming heroes). Characters wear form-fitting futuristic clothing, some resembling bondage gear (one character makes a brief, joking reference to bondage as sexual practice, a great reduction from the source anime). Aeon appears nude, rising from bed, her back to the camera, a couple kisses then has (implied) sex. Music is loud and pounding during chase and fight scenes. The film also includes some semi-complex conversations concerning the ethics of cloning humans.

Positive messages: Aeon learns to trust her instincts rather than her orders; the evil governing system is toppled.
Violence: Shootings, fights, explosions, stabbings: Aeon is an assassin and her enemies range from sleek and athletic to thuggish.
Sex: Women characters wear skimpy, stylized clothing; Aeon appears undressed (back to camera); one implied sex scene.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Aeon Flux

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about Aeon's decision to go off mission when she "feels" something is wrong. How does her questioning of authority show her independence, as well as her stubbornness? How do Aeon's memories (technically, a previous life) compel her present actions? How does the film weigh family (specifically, sisterly) loyalty against romance?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In AEON FLUX, the "world" is reduced in 2415 to a single city. Based on the 1995 MTV animation series, the film posits a future where a super-virus has decimated the population, leaving only a small band of survivors who live in a walled environment called Bregna. Their activities are monitored and individuals frequently vanish, leaving behind grieving families and lots of questions about their corporate-totalitarian government. The seemingly dictatorial leader of this government is Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas), aided by his obviously scheming brother Oren (Jonny Lee Miller). When the beautiful Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) confronts Trevor, she has a sudden pang of recognition, and pauses. Together, they must find the villains who have thwarted Trevor's efforts to repopulate the city as well as efforts by Aeon and her secret rebel group to wrest daily social control from the Goodchilds.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Aeon Flux follows a perfunctory plot while focusing its energies on stunning visuals, most notably Aeon. In her animated version, she has an impossible wasp waist and pointy features, not to mention famously bondage-style outfits. Theron softens this look, but brings a steely resolve to her performance, so that Aeon isn't quite so ambiguous as she was in 1995, more traditionally sympathetic.

As bizarre as the future world might appear, the film is stiffly structured, oddly conservative, and falls back on very familiar characterizations and morals. As the cartoon series used to air after 11pm, and included outré sexual allusions and body modifications that might best be described as macabre, the shift to PG-13 fundamentally alters the original effects. Where Aeon used to be strange, now she's just regular.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Panorama Entertainment
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Charlize Theron, Jonny Lee Miller, Marton Csokas
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: December 2, 2005
DVD release: April 25, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sequences of violence and sexual content.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Deffinitely not a movie for children, or anyone under 17. Adults will love this movie though. Charlize Theron does an excellent job bringing this animated character to the big screen.

ironkid21
kid, 13 years old
 
This was an awesome movie but it was kinda violent. There is one offscreen sex scene. Probably for 9+ even though I watched it when I was 7.

evolinag
teen, 15 years old
 
Disappointing movie but handable for children
There is some violence but it should be handable for children around the age of 10. Not that strong. Not graphic at all. But the movie itself, really disappointed me. It wasn't very original.

x495
teen, 16 years old
 
Violent but inventive vision of the future for young teens.
Parents should know that this film has violence with a range of weapons, from sniper rifles to machine guns, to poison darts all the way to fists and feet. Aeon dresses in a sensual manner and fighting is a way of life. Children might be frightened at the way the future id portrayed.

 
Cool
Sexuality:A partialscene and some reavling cloths.Language:none. violence:gets a bit gory but stops and beomes a sci-fi mystery thriller.

lexalolu
teen, 14 years old
 
boring...
This movie is mostly just mindless violence. I saw this when I was 9, and it came as a big shock to my system. I was in stupor for a few weeks. once this wore off however, I realized it wasn't a very good movie. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, so that alone gives it 2 stars. But it is stupid, boring, plotless, and way too intense for kids under 11. :( too bad, i was expecting more.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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