44 reviews
I'll spare you the standard review and assume that you've already accepted that Aeon Flux is bloody awesome. What follows is a guide to getting the full bloody awesomeness out of this experience.
If at all possible, take it in chronological order since the first 6 shorts are what set the stage. Essentially all rules are bent, broken, defecated upon and then handed back to us with a hint of Snuggle fabric softener. This is no mere cartoon; this is a revolution in storytelling.
The best way to describe the shorts is to say they are visual puzzles for us to solve. It ain't easy, either. I highly recommend watching the short, feeling like an idiot, and then watching it again with Peter's commentary. He doesn't always spell out the solution, but he gives some good hints that allow you to appreciate it on its intended philosophical level.
I'll give you just one example without really ruining anything. In the episode "War", we see a bunch of people killing people, getting killed, and more of the same. But there's much more to it than that. What Chung does is play on our fickle sympathies to make us change loyalties over & over. Without noticing, we start out rooting for the black team, then the white team, back to black, white, black, etc. You can surmise what sort of statement he's making about the act of war & society's attitudes. I can't help but wonder if Peter Chung was a fan of the 19th century French writer Maupassant ("Tell the people to vote for the Emperor and they'll vote for the Emperor. Tell the people to vote for the Republic and they'll vote for the Republic.")
Bloody awesome.
Other episodes are more abstract but just as deliberate & defined. In "Tide" we're presented with some seemingly arbitrary, repeating scenes. But actually it's a very carefully orchestrated show. The scenes, each exactly 2 sec long, repeat in a scripted sequence that can only be described as mathematical (or as Peter says in the commentary, "musical").
Bloody bloody awesome.
OK, I'm probably losing some of you, and that's to be expected. After all, what's interesting about political, mathematical & metaphysical themes? The answer: a hot assassin chick in a vinyl bikini with boobs that defy Newton's Laws of Physics, that's what.
What's the word I'm looking for? Oh right: bloody freaking whacktastic awesome.
After the initial 6 shorts comes the Pilot which is also without dialogue and highly expressionistic as well as philosophically jam packed. However when the actual series followed, MTV took more of an active role making changes that weren't always for the best. The biggest change is that the characters speak. Another big change is that Aeon develops more of a consistent personality and morality (unlike in the shorts where she was an Existentialist to the max). Some of the episodes are still very good--the ones written by Peter Chung--but others were given to different writers who didn't have a clear grasp on the artistic concept. The result was more plot driven, linear, humorous at times & random at times. At the same time, some of it became more poetic in a literal sense. In all, a very different flavour but still very enjoyable, even if the episodes aren't the brain-teasers we had seen at first.
That's about all I have to say, so I'll close by saying we need more women dressing up as Aeon Flux at halloween parties. Ladies, if you do that you win hands down. Well except for maybe the green star trek chick.
If at all possible, take it in chronological order since the first 6 shorts are what set the stage. Essentially all rules are bent, broken, defecated upon and then handed back to us with a hint of Snuggle fabric softener. This is no mere cartoon; this is a revolution in storytelling.
The best way to describe the shorts is to say they are visual puzzles for us to solve. It ain't easy, either. I highly recommend watching the short, feeling like an idiot, and then watching it again with Peter's commentary. He doesn't always spell out the solution, but he gives some good hints that allow you to appreciate it on its intended philosophical level.
I'll give you just one example without really ruining anything. In the episode "War", we see a bunch of people killing people, getting killed, and more of the same. But there's much more to it than that. What Chung does is play on our fickle sympathies to make us change loyalties over & over. Without noticing, we start out rooting for the black team, then the white team, back to black, white, black, etc. You can surmise what sort of statement he's making about the act of war & society's attitudes. I can't help but wonder if Peter Chung was a fan of the 19th century French writer Maupassant ("Tell the people to vote for the Emperor and they'll vote for the Emperor. Tell the people to vote for the Republic and they'll vote for the Republic.")
Bloody awesome.
Other episodes are more abstract but just as deliberate & defined. In "Tide" we're presented with some seemingly arbitrary, repeating scenes. But actually it's a very carefully orchestrated show. The scenes, each exactly 2 sec long, repeat in a scripted sequence that can only be described as mathematical (or as Peter says in the commentary, "musical").
Bloody bloody awesome.
OK, I'm probably losing some of you, and that's to be expected. After all, what's interesting about political, mathematical & metaphysical themes? The answer: a hot assassin chick in a vinyl bikini with boobs that defy Newton's Laws of Physics, that's what.
What's the word I'm looking for? Oh right: bloody freaking whacktastic awesome.
After the initial 6 shorts comes the Pilot which is also without dialogue and highly expressionistic as well as philosophically jam packed. However when the actual series followed, MTV took more of an active role making changes that weren't always for the best. The biggest change is that the characters speak. Another big change is that Aeon develops more of a consistent personality and morality (unlike in the shorts where she was an Existentialist to the max). Some of the episodes are still very good--the ones written by Peter Chung--but others were given to different writers who didn't have a clear grasp on the artistic concept. The result was more plot driven, linear, humorous at times & random at times. At the same time, some of it became more poetic in a literal sense. In all, a very different flavour but still very enjoyable, even if the episodes aren't the brain-teasers we had seen at first.
That's about all I have to say, so I'll close by saying we need more women dressing up as Aeon Flux at halloween parties. Ladies, if you do that you win hands down. Well except for maybe the green star trek chick.
I rewatched this little series lately and I just can state: Aeon Flux is still pushing boundaries regarding storytelling for a sci-fi animation show. With its own visual style and story (ideas) plus the sometimes weird storytelling techniques still a pleasure to watch. Such kind of experimental stuff they do only very rare these days - just look what MTV has become...
- Tweetienator
- Jun 14, 2020
- Permalink
- grendelkhan
- Oct 16, 2006
- Permalink
Peter Chung is definitely one of the most creative minds in animation today. This is his groundbreaking work he is best known for.
Originally a recurring short for MTV's Liquid Television, Aeon Flux combined the flash of the sexy heroine and action movie violence with extremely surreal and bizarre scenarios. MTV later commissioned 10 half-hour episodes. Obviously the more high profile placement of a scheduled program lead to more network restrictions. Not quite the same surreal vision as the original shorts but definitely interesting in themselves.
A lot of people saw it as some kind of anime rip off. It's nothing of the sort. While without a doubt drawing influence from Japanese animation the more apparent influences are European fantasy illustrators like moebius.
I bought the TV episodes and shorts on a VHS several years ago. I'm not sure if it has made it to DVD. There's a live action movie based on the characters of the animation series coming out this winter. It's extremely doubtful they'll be able to pull off any of the weird stuff. It will probably be just another boringly ordinary Hollywood sci-fi/action movie. One of Peter Chung's ideas with his animation is to create something you can't do in live action.
Originally a recurring short for MTV's Liquid Television, Aeon Flux combined the flash of the sexy heroine and action movie violence with extremely surreal and bizarre scenarios. MTV later commissioned 10 half-hour episodes. Obviously the more high profile placement of a scheduled program lead to more network restrictions. Not quite the same surreal vision as the original shorts but definitely interesting in themselves.
A lot of people saw it as some kind of anime rip off. It's nothing of the sort. While without a doubt drawing influence from Japanese animation the more apparent influences are European fantasy illustrators like moebius.
I bought the TV episodes and shorts on a VHS several years ago. I'm not sure if it has made it to DVD. There's a live action movie based on the characters of the animation series coming out this winter. It's extremely doubtful they'll be able to pull off any of the weird stuff. It will probably be just another boringly ordinary Hollywood sci-fi/action movie. One of Peter Chung's ideas with his animation is to create something you can't do in live action.
If I were to make a list of the top ten television shows ever made, I would put Aeon Flux at #1. If I were to make a list of the top ten television shows and movies combined, it would end up at #2 (if you read my other comments, you'll notice that I often exalt films that I've seen in a similar top ten list format and that I have said that many films are this high on the list, but that was usually right after seeing it without any retrospect; I have seen every episode of Aeon Flux at least 10 times, so I have the proper retrospect here). It only falls behind Stanley Kubrick's 2001.
Like 2001, Aeon Flux is a mind-bending series that pushed the limits of narrative. As Trevor Goodchild says in the final episode of this series (so far; they've said that they might come back), "End Sinister": "A person from a thousand years ago could never comprehend the world today." Well, Aeon Flux is about 800 years in the future, because one has to see all the episodes several times before they begin to make sense. I like this, because the first few times you can appreciate the art. After you have seen each episode multiple times, you notice how amazingly and originally the narrative is constructed. So don't get angry at the series if you don't understand it initially.
Begin with the more conventional (though that word can hardly describe this television series) episodes. Rent or buy (it is certainly good enough to buy without having seen it before; look at my other comments to see if you agree with my tastes, then go for it if you do) the red cassette (which is also on DVD), and watch the first two episodes, "Thanatophobia" and "A Last Time for Everything." Then on the Blue Tape, watch "Reraizure," the first episode. Next, go to intermediate episodes, "Isthmus Crypticus," "Ether Drift Theory," "The Demiurge," "Utopia or Deuteronopia," and "End Sinister" (though you may want to save that for the end). Then, for the advanced class, go to the silent episodes on the red and yellow tapes, then see the hardest-to-get episodes "The Purge" and, by far the most mindbending and 2001-like, "Chronophasia." Personally, I like the simple beauty of "Thanatophobia" and "A Last Time for Everything" best, but "The Purge" and "Chronophasia" will warp your mind for sure. And like I said, don't dismiss them if you don't understand them. Think about each episode as an individual structure and then as a part of the whole. And if you're truly impressed, good luck finding the Aeon Flux book they published, _The Herodotus File_. It will help in your understanding if you have the good luck to find it. Also, another miraculously-produced MTV animated series marvel that you might like if you like this is The Maxx. It can usually be found on the shelf with Anime films, but if not, it can be purchased just as Aeon Flux can. It, if I were to list it along with the greatest television series and films, would be #3.
So please, go get your mind warped today by Aeon Flux and The Maxx!
Like 2001, Aeon Flux is a mind-bending series that pushed the limits of narrative. As Trevor Goodchild says in the final episode of this series (so far; they've said that they might come back), "End Sinister": "A person from a thousand years ago could never comprehend the world today." Well, Aeon Flux is about 800 years in the future, because one has to see all the episodes several times before they begin to make sense. I like this, because the first few times you can appreciate the art. After you have seen each episode multiple times, you notice how amazingly and originally the narrative is constructed. So don't get angry at the series if you don't understand it initially.
Begin with the more conventional (though that word can hardly describe this television series) episodes. Rent or buy (it is certainly good enough to buy without having seen it before; look at my other comments to see if you agree with my tastes, then go for it if you do) the red cassette (which is also on DVD), and watch the first two episodes, "Thanatophobia" and "A Last Time for Everything." Then on the Blue Tape, watch "Reraizure," the first episode. Next, go to intermediate episodes, "Isthmus Crypticus," "Ether Drift Theory," "The Demiurge," "Utopia or Deuteronopia," and "End Sinister" (though you may want to save that for the end). Then, for the advanced class, go to the silent episodes on the red and yellow tapes, then see the hardest-to-get episodes "The Purge" and, by far the most mindbending and 2001-like, "Chronophasia." Personally, I like the simple beauty of "Thanatophobia" and "A Last Time for Everything" best, but "The Purge" and "Chronophasia" will warp your mind for sure. And like I said, don't dismiss them if you don't understand them. Think about each episode as an individual structure and then as a part of the whole. And if you're truly impressed, good luck finding the Aeon Flux book they published, _The Herodotus File_. It will help in your understanding if you have the good luck to find it. Also, another miraculously-produced MTV animated series marvel that you might like if you like this is The Maxx. It can usually be found on the shelf with Anime films, but if not, it can be purchased just as Aeon Flux can. It, if I were to list it along with the greatest television series and films, would be #3.
So please, go get your mind warped today by Aeon Flux and The Maxx!
Too be honest, I never cared that much about MTV: The programming of that channel seems to keep getting worse year by year...However, I really liked some of the animated shows produced by that channel, such as "Liquid Television", "Beavis and Butthead", the excellent adaptation of Sam Kieth's comic "The Maxx", "Daria"...And this show.
Stylih, surreal and unique "Æon Flux" is possibly one of the most original and daring cartoons ever made in America, being like nothing ever made before, not only in the visual aspect, but also in the stories and the characters: Instead of the typical battle of "Good vs Evil" that was so common in the cartoons of the time,"Æon Flux" had an ambiguous tone, where the "heroine" and the "villain" had strange and vague motivations(And even weirder ways to accomplish their objectives) What's even more, despite their antagonistic ideologies, both characters had a strange love/hate relationship, an element that worked as a sub-plot in most of the chapters, and worked incredibly well.
This deliberately ambiguous tone of the story, joined to the grotesque, but at the same time beautiful imagery of each chapter showed how mature and artistic Western animation could be, despite the prejudices of some part of the public against this genre, considering that cartoons are only "kiddy stuff", despite the existence of incredible works such as this.
"Æon Flux" was ahead its time, and maybe for that reason, I didn't get the recognition it deserved...However, a few episodes (and shorts) were enough to appreciate the full quality of this animated masterpiece, being one of the most original and artistic TV -shows ever made, such as "Twin Peaks", "The Maxx" and "The Prisoner".
Oh, yeah,there was also a terrible live-action movie made in the 2005, but that film lacked of every single one of the great elements of this excellent series. The less said about that lousy film, the better.
Stylih, surreal and unique "Æon Flux" is possibly one of the most original and daring cartoons ever made in America, being like nothing ever made before, not only in the visual aspect, but also in the stories and the characters: Instead of the typical battle of "Good vs Evil" that was so common in the cartoons of the time,"Æon Flux" had an ambiguous tone, where the "heroine" and the "villain" had strange and vague motivations(And even weirder ways to accomplish their objectives) What's even more, despite their antagonistic ideologies, both characters had a strange love/hate relationship, an element that worked as a sub-plot in most of the chapters, and worked incredibly well.
This deliberately ambiguous tone of the story, joined to the grotesque, but at the same time beautiful imagery of each chapter showed how mature and artistic Western animation could be, despite the prejudices of some part of the public against this genre, considering that cartoons are only "kiddy stuff", despite the existence of incredible works such as this.
"Æon Flux" was ahead its time, and maybe for that reason, I didn't get the recognition it deserved...However, a few episodes (and shorts) were enough to appreciate the full quality of this animated masterpiece, being one of the most original and artistic TV -shows ever made, such as "Twin Peaks", "The Maxx" and "The Prisoner".
Oh, yeah,there was also a terrible live-action movie made in the 2005, but that film lacked of every single one of the great elements of this excellent series. The less said about that lousy film, the better.
- Rectangular_businessman
- Sep 2, 2011
- Permalink
I was 12 when I caught the Aeon Flux pilot by pure accident on a late night MTV broadcast, and it forever changed my perception of what animation could be. It not rational, linear, and standard in any way but once you see beyond all of that and let yourself be transported, you realise that this show is not about the script, but about the game this show plays with the viewer as we try to keep up with the story, political intrigue and weird characters which ultimately leave us more confused the more we try to follow. What really matters is letting us be absorbed by the weirdness and transported into the beauty of the animated journey. The less you fight it the better it gets.
- danieletottle
- Apr 21, 2019
- Permalink
- ladymidath
- Aug 16, 2013
- Permalink
Very different from the film with starred a very beautiful Charlize Theron in this tight fitting outfit, in this she is not this super assassin, she is clumsy and always end up in a situation where she is killed more or less. This is a really strange universe, where a lot of people are getting killed, but for a purpose no one has really defined.
First season is only on episode, one weird and fast introduction to the universe and the girl, a rather violent and bloody scenery.
Second season is a set of 5 small episodes, each 5-6 minutes, here Aeon is clumsy, tot he spy we want her to be, she dies in every small episode and it just becomes more and more abstract and sensual.
Third season consist of 10 episode lasting about 22 minutes each, this is somewhat the final form of the series, still more sensual and different then all else, lots of violence, blood, shooting and strange scenarios.
First season is only on episode, one weird and fast introduction to the universe and the girl, a rather violent and bloody scenery.
Second season is a set of 5 small episodes, each 5-6 minutes, here Aeon is clumsy, tot he spy we want her to be, she dies in every small episode and it just becomes more and more abstract and sensual.
Third season consist of 10 episode lasting about 22 minutes each, this is somewhat the final form of the series, still more sensual and different then all else, lots of violence, blood, shooting and strange scenarios.
- twisted_and_derranged
- Dec 9, 2010
- Permalink
Aeon Flux is worth watching - even repeatedly for one good reason: it is very original, unlike the multitude of films out there that are simply copies of tired genres. It DOES NOT explain everything, and a lot of it you are left to guess or imagine for yourself - but this is part of it's appeal. The cartoon series are far more intriguing and absorbing than the insipid movie that was made. Having said that, it still leaves room for many areas that could have been developed, and they certainly could make a lot more than the eleven episodes that have been made so far. It also looks at a lot of relevant issues, and philosophy that is interwoven into each storyline. There is also plenty of action.
- pjmartinau
- Jun 6, 2007
- Permalink
I watched this fantastic TV series by the end of the 90´s on MTV and, up to now, it is modern and revolutionary ! Definitely, it is not for kids. Actually, it is the only sort of animation that I like, mixing espionage, sci-fi and futuristic themes which are somehow plausible.
- hilanocarvalho
- Oct 30, 2020
- Permalink
I'd like to rate this higher. I am old enough that I can say that I used to watch it on television, and it definitely left an impression. I've re-watched it several times since then, and always come to essentially the same conclusion: it has a lot of elements that make it memorable but some big weaknesses that keep me from really calling it any kind of masterpiece.
The visual flair is the most obvious thing to praise about the series. The fusion of Japanese anime filtered through the aesthetic of Egon Schiele is inspired, even if it's hampered by some occasional sloppiness. You get the sense a lot of this was a rush job. But the composition and design of the action sequences and the more fantastical dream-like sequences are really interesting, and a lot of that imagery will probably stick with you long afterward.
Unfortunately, on subsequent viewings I've found the writing to be rather obnoxious. A lot of the episodes have multiple writing credits, and this isn't surprising: there is this overwhelming impression that there was no unified idea of what any of this was supposed to be about. The dialog is usually really cringe-inducing. Imagine the worst parts of the Matrix sequels turned into an awkward soap opera and you'll have some idea of what the dramatic parts of the series sound like. The first and second seasons, which consists of disconnected shorts, have no dialog, and might be better for it. The third season actually has a discernible narrative but most of the dialog is fairly terrible. It's a regrettable trade-off.
Despite its shortcomings, the series really does feel like an important piece of history. The dystopian vision and inventive science fiction concepts that it plays with are compelling. When it's at its best, we are given little information and left to try to piece together what's happening and why. It's a shame that the dialog feels so annoyingly expository and at the same time unintentionally nonsensical, ultimately undermining that. I would still recommend it, but I think most people giving this anything higher than 8/10 must be too strongly influenced by their nostalgia.
The visual flair is the most obvious thing to praise about the series. The fusion of Japanese anime filtered through the aesthetic of Egon Schiele is inspired, even if it's hampered by some occasional sloppiness. You get the sense a lot of this was a rush job. But the composition and design of the action sequences and the more fantastical dream-like sequences are really interesting, and a lot of that imagery will probably stick with you long afterward.
Unfortunately, on subsequent viewings I've found the writing to be rather obnoxious. A lot of the episodes have multiple writing credits, and this isn't surprising: there is this overwhelming impression that there was no unified idea of what any of this was supposed to be about. The dialog is usually really cringe-inducing. Imagine the worst parts of the Matrix sequels turned into an awkward soap opera and you'll have some idea of what the dramatic parts of the series sound like. The first and second seasons, which consists of disconnected shorts, have no dialog, and might be better for it. The third season actually has a discernible narrative but most of the dialog is fairly terrible. It's a regrettable trade-off.
Despite its shortcomings, the series really does feel like an important piece of history. The dystopian vision and inventive science fiction concepts that it plays with are compelling. When it's at its best, we are given little information and left to try to piece together what's happening and why. It's a shame that the dialog feels so annoyingly expository and at the same time unintentionally nonsensical, ultimately undermining that. I would still recommend it, but I think most people giving this anything higher than 8/10 must be too strongly influenced by their nostalgia.
Picked up the DVD series at the library, because I heard about it being a 90's cult series. Watched a few episodes, didn't like it, couldn't get myself to watch more of it. I feel this series sacrifices substance for style. Once you get beyond the pseudo-intellectual quotes, the strange futuristic setting and the obvious sexual tension, you are left with an incoherent mess. Perhaps it's just not my thing and I'm being too harsh, but be warned: this is not for everyone.
Maybe back in the day Aeon Flux was groundbreaking for what it did. This was made during the pre-mainstream era of MTV, when they were still willing and able to do things outside of the box. I'm all for that, but that doesn't mean the results will automatically be good.
Maybe back in the day Aeon Flux was groundbreaking for what it did. This was made during the pre-mainstream era of MTV, when they were still willing and able to do things outside of the box. I'm all for that, but that doesn't mean the results will automatically be good.
- sam-183-288322
- Aug 12, 2014
- Permalink
Having first seen Aeon Flux as MTV shorts I was instantly captivated, breaking free from the constraints of the "standard" method of story telling, so much is left in the mysterious and unknown, with very imaginative and surreal atmosphere, in some cases one feels like they have just been dropped in the middle of a story with no real explanation of what is going on, its not needed it adds to effect. An interesting format that the heroine is killed off only to be reincarnated in the next short, almost like a video game in some contexts.
This format was eventually abandoned and a more story like series followed, which might lead one to believe that the initial shorts might of been proof of concept or tests? These episodes are very similar in the same surreal atmosphere but with a little more story line and plot driven in to make them more durable.
A highly imaginative animation series that is worth inclusion in anyones collection especially those seeking something a little off the beaten path.
This format was eventually abandoned and a more story like series followed, which might lead one to believe that the initial shorts might of been proof of concept or tests? These episodes are very similar in the same surreal atmosphere but with a little more story line and plot driven in to make them more durable.
A highly imaginative animation series that is worth inclusion in anyones collection especially those seeking something a little off the beaten path.
- patrick-312
- Nov 1, 2004
- Permalink
Aeon Flux was/is one groundbreaking show that crushed every cliché inside and outside the genre. It is surrealistic, very abstract, and to tell the truth not something for everyone to enjoy. But if you are fan of innovative animation or Japanese anime then you will most likely love this as much as I do (if you can at least enjoy Peter Chung's style).
The short-episodes also made a huge impression on me. Without dialog the episodes still contained a very solid story (if you can manage to get it at least, which can even take more then one view), and a very sci-fi and abstract approach. Of course, if you don't want to dissect the storyline you could always enjoy the truly fine action-scenes Aeon Flux is full of! Some episodes can even get slightly 'trippy', but it never gets too much to the point that you feel you'r watching random scenes or something.
I really hope that Peter Chung makes a return with this show, since the name 'Aeon Flux' still needs to be cleansed because of that awful self-titled movie. Highly recommended for fans of avantgarde animation!
The short-episodes also made a huge impression on me. Without dialog the episodes still contained a very solid story (if you can manage to get it at least, which can even take more then one view), and a very sci-fi and abstract approach. Of course, if you don't want to dissect the storyline you could always enjoy the truly fine action-scenes Aeon Flux is full of! Some episodes can even get slightly 'trippy', but it never gets too much to the point that you feel you'r watching random scenes or something.
I really hope that Peter Chung makes a return with this show, since the name 'Aeon Flux' still needs to be cleansed because of that awful self-titled movie. Highly recommended for fans of avantgarde animation!
- lodewijkpollemans
- Dec 25, 2007
- Permalink
- bilgeboybob
- Oct 27, 2011
- Permalink
Very nicely said. i know there are people who are stupid not to know what it mean. The art is just so bizarre, yet unique, and thats why its a good show. A futuristic world, cloning people, and using high-tech gadgets is definitely a good sci-fi TV series. If only they had give more episodes. You have done a very good job making this summary for all those people. I hope other people will be able to see this unique TV series and be able to share our thoughts and feelings about this weird but good TV series. How old are you, how stupid are you, how idiotic are you? Lol, I'm just making this longer so i can submit this to you, i have nothing else to say. Anyways, i just want to say how you wrote this nicely written summary. LOLOL
- macaroniandtimbits
- Mar 26, 2007
- Permalink
The original animated series is definitely worth purchasing, regardless of how you feel about last years big-screen live action remake. Conceptually, this is the most complex show you'll ever see, it is beautifully drawn and offers insights and critiques into the human condition... And despite all this, it's main character dresses like a dominatrix and kicks the crap out of people. Where's the bad here people? Sometimes the lines between spirituality, science-fiction, and sociology are a little confused at times, but the series creator Peter Chung should be utilized a lot more by Hollywood than he is. Also, he should be closely monitored because someone who can invent and execute a show like this can't be playing with a full deck. Just as well, these people seem to make the best entertainment.
I remember watching some cartoon when I was 6 and only one moment from one episode. I've lived 13 more years with this memory in my head and during my day of nostalgia I've found out the names of the cartoons I watched when I was small. Aeon Flux was one of them. After remembering how sad I was when they stopped streaming it back then I was sure to rewatch it.
So yeah, could watching just few episodes of that cartoon rig my consciousness when I was small?, cuz after watching it today a lot things didn't make sense at all and I'm in that "philosophical/clear" mindset, Not forgetting vulgar eccentric scenes too.
Now I want to find some explanation to every episode.
Created by Peter Chung and originally airing on MTV, AEon Flux is considered an anime classic by many. Also quite short, the series originally aired as a short pilot, followed by a few mini 3-5 minute episodes, finally by a full 22 minute, 10 episode series airing also on MTV in 1995. Set hundreds of years after an environmental catastrophe has wiped out 99% of the population two main cities, Bregna and Monica, remain separated by a border wall. AEon Flux is a scantily clad anarchic-representing secret agent from Monica performing missions each episode, often against her sworn enemy and romantic interest Trevor Goodchild, the self appointed dictator of Bregna. The plot just described is fairly absent from the series itself, almost never explicitly stating its lore, although often explicitly showing off it's characters... I was often very confused by this surreal series just watching it. I enjoyed the art style and narratives, along with the moral / ethical questions it was trying to present, but I never really quite "got it". Idk that anyone does tho, its deliberately very high-concept with plots that do not follow over from episode to episode, and often don't seem to make sense even within themselves. Honestly the original pilot was probably just as strong as the entirety of the series (imo), so I would recommend checking that out first, and if you like it then maybe give this series a go. It's weird.
- coles_notes
- Jun 6, 2022
- Permalink
I found Aeon Flux nearly unwatchable, in spite of the beautiful art and competent animation. I saw a pretty cartoon girl running around heavily armed but minimally dressed, in the devastated remains of an anonymous urban environment. She met people, and helped or killed them, apparently by whim. Other people tried to kill her for no visible reason. Of course, stopping or avenging her wonton killing would make rational motives, but I never saw any connection between the attackers and her victims were shown.
Maybe it all makes sense if you watch it over and over. Maybe it's entertaining if you're extremely intoxicated. But I have no desire to see it again, intoxicated or not, even if that will allow me to understand it.
I fail to see the appeal of the show.
Maybe it all makes sense if you watch it over and over. Maybe it's entertaining if you're extremely intoxicated. But I have no desire to see it again, intoxicated or not, even if that will allow me to understand it.
I fail to see the appeal of the show.
- steve.schonberger
- Jul 18, 2000
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I remember watching this series late at night about 5 years ago on MuchMusic (Canada's MTV equivalent). It was (and probably still is) the most innovative animated series I've had the chance to lay my eyes on (and wrap my brain around). Definitely not for kids, definitely not straightforward, this series fluctuates between abstract narratives, warped motives, and unconventional characters to tell us the stories of a futuristic communist society ruled by Trevor Goodchild and clashed with by the ever-present iconoclast known as Aeon Flux, a society that is both a distortion and a reflection of our own. Nothing in this series is clear-cut and the writing definitely lets you think your way through instead of being spoon-fed. Thank you, mister Chung, for the great work.
Although artistic, it feels like a foot fetish/femicide disguised as art. It feels uncomfortable seeing this graphic earwax tonguing and feet licking while the scantily clad female lead gets killed in brutal fetishy ways.
I wouldn't personally recommend this to a female audience, but I'm probably just not the target audience. The animation is simplistic but has strong composition. The story can be hard to follow due to lack of dialogue.
Shockingly there is a live action movie which I have only seen the trailers for. Even though I did not enjoy this series, I'm sure the audience of the hospital scene in Evangelion would enjoy.
I wouldn't personally recommend this to a female audience, but I'm probably just not the target audience. The animation is simplistic but has strong composition. The story can be hard to follow due to lack of dialogue.
Shockingly there is a live action movie which I have only seen the trailers for. Even though I did not enjoy this series, I'm sure the audience of the hospital scene in Evangelion would enjoy.
First of all I have read the other reviews...these were done by tired no brain idiots who fail to appreciate the HOST of creative subtleties that made this show entirely unique. There is no material-biting , or boring skeletal sketches; everything in the series is done for a reason: these characters are drawn to make you think on a symbolic level, they act to make to you think on a symbolic level, their complicated idiosyncrasies are complicated, and repellent and sensuous at once...you HAVE to watch them more than once, that's why I LOVE them..Peter Chung worked extremely hard to fit so much meaning into so short a time frame. I have never seen anything like this series and likely never will again. One of the best things ever shown on MTV!
- grrregpower
- Jan 5, 2004
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