Charlize Theron cuts an exceptionally striking presence as the heroine of this smashing action-oriented fantasy involving a rebel fighter in 2415 whose assignment is to kill the leader of a totalitarian regime; turns out, she recognizes him as a man who once meant a great deal to her and finds she can't eliminate him (nor vice-versa),precipitating a coupe amongst his people. Though exceptionally flashy, this MTV production (based upon their animated series) has its roots steeped in the past, with a plot that admittedly recalls dozens of enemy-for-the-people adventures. Despite some intentionally amusing asides, the dialogue is fairly stilted (though there isn't much of it, which is ultimately a plus) and the editing is occasionally sharp though it eliminates things we should be seeing to clarify the narrative (like how Æon Flux manages to climb aboard and exit a flying monument). Frances McDormand's role as Theron's boss is left a bit sketchy (who does she get her orders from?) and her reluctance to give Æon even the slightest benefit of the doubt is perplexing. The action sequences are elaborately, entertainingly staged, and the crisp, expensive-seeming production gives us a glittering vision of the future (think "Logan's Run" on a modern budget). In the end, the film is more a tasty morsel than a satisfying meal--it may slip right out of your consciousness a day after you've seen it--but the misfits-as-rebels angle and the suave star-turns by Theron, Sophie Okonedo (as ever-faithful Sithandra, who has hands for feet) and handsome Marton Csokas (as Trevor Goodchild, who puts all the pieces in place) help make this an enjoyable ride. **1/2 from ****

Aeon Flux starts out with great action and great visuals. Then its story kicks in and the pace grinds to a halt. Charlize Theron in skimpy clothing cannot rescue the film.

The planet has fallen victim to a virus. By 2415, the remaining population lives in a city of Bregna under the protection of the Goodchild family while they try to find various cures for what went wrong with society.

With people disappearing or being randomly murdered in this supposedly benign totalitarian regime.

Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) is a freedom fighter and member of the rebel group the Monicans. When her sister Una is killed. She undertakes a mission to bring down the head of the family, Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas).

However Aeon has some kind of past connection with him. She also uncovers other secrets hidden in her world.

After the opening act the film becomes listless with an incomprehensible and dull story.

AEON FLUX is another film that came out post-MATRIX and UNDERWORLD, seemingly designed to showcase athletic women running around in skimpy or skintight attire and beating up thugs/totalitarian bad guys. While it's marginally better than the utterly appalling ULTRAVIOLET, which saw Milla Jovovich up against vampire in a similar production, it's still far from great.

The problem with the movie isn't so much the story, which has plenty of potential, but rather the style. Much of the blame can be laid at the door of director Karyn Kusama, who with this and JENNIFER'S BODY has proved herself to be adept at making trash. A lot of the film is let down by low-rent martial arts shenanigans that copy THE MATRIX trilogy and never once provide originality. At least EQUILIBRIUM's 'gun fu' was something we hadn't seen before...

The typically cold Charlize Theron plays a cold-hearted assassin who soon discovers that the world she lives in is built on a lie. As twists go, this one has the potential to be good, but somehow the reveal feels diluted, there isn't enough passion or surprise in the eventual discovery. It's more of a "oh, okay" type moment than a "wow" one.

The supporting cast isn't up to much either, with only Marton Csokas making an effort. Jonny Lee Miller is as inane as ever, and Sophie Okonedo is miscast and way out of her comfort zone. Watch out for Frances McDormand and Pete Postlethwaite in comedy cameo roles; I'm guessing they must have been desperate for the cash to appear in this knock-off. From beginning to end, AEON FLUX screams predictability and there's really no good reason to bother with it.