No, this isn't Peter Hyam's 2010, but rather a film that takes place in the 25th century entitled Aeon Flux. "Aeon what?" Is it "A-on, or E-on?" This is generally the reaction of people who find out about this film, considering that the title doesn't exactly let us know right away what this movie is about. It hasn't been massively marketed either, so not many people outside the fan base of the anime TV series know much about it anyway. But if one is open-minded enough to check it out, that person should at least like something about it, particularly if one is a fan of true sci-fi.

     The story begins by telling us that in 2011, a disease kills every human being save for 1%. Fast forward to 400 years into the future, and the remaining population now lives in a supposedly perfect society called "Bregna," which is ruled by a regime under the authority of Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Bourne Supremacy). This man found the cure to the disease, and has isolated the remaining population inside a city surrounded by giant walls where on the outside grows an endless jungle ruled by wildlife.

     But not everyone agrees with the way things are run, which is where the "Monicans" come in. Highly skilled with unique technology and acrobatics, they seek to turn Bregna upside down to empty out the trash. But when Aeon Flux (Oscar winner Chalize Theron, of Monster fame), the top operative in the Monican rebellion, finally gets her chance to take out the infamous Goodchild, she finds out that there's more to him, Bregna and ultimately herself than she realized. From there, the plot unfolds into many twists and turns that aren't easily predictable to newcomers of Flux, making it as airtight as Aeon's wardrobe, and should please both the fans of the series as well as people who don't know anything about it.

     Theron as Aeon (pronounced "E-on" in the film) is more than just another hot chick in tight leather like Hally Berry's Catwoman, or Carrie-Ann Moss' "Trinity" in The Matrix Trilogy. Aeon Flux is highly skilled all on her own, without the need of computer programs or sex appeal (although she does have much of the latter), and she only lives to fulfill her mission. Theron really shows off her amazing versatility as a actress here, considering the other roles she has played which weren't quite so action-oriented (and considering she injured her neck during filming a stunt, halting production by a month).

     What I found the most amazing about this film is the incredible direction and creativity that director Karyn Kusama brings to it. She has only directed one other film (Girlfight - a movie I had never heard of until now), so I am really taken back by how much skill she has.

     For instance, most futuristic films feel too familiar. Even Star Trek, set centuries into the future, still feels like it only takes place maybe 100 years from now at the most (aside from the whole "beam me up, Scotty" thing). In this film the future is portrayed as quite foreign to 21st century viewers. The way technology works and society thrives is very bizarre, so much so that only some things are immediately recognizable (like human beings themselves, the english language, etc.), while other things don't make much sense until you pay closer attention. Maps are embedded into the skin, and they don't even look like maps. Bombs can come in the form of many marble-sized balls that roll around and unify to create an explosion, all of which are controlled by someone whistling. Blades of grass spring up tiny lethal knives for security purposes. The Monicans commune through telepathy and some little woman called "Handler" (Frances McDormand) inside their heads. One can even surgically replace one's feet with hands, as Aeon's close Monican friend Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo) did.

     Yes, the future is quite weird, but that's what makes this film work so well. Our way of life now, and the technology we have would look quite strange to someone from the 10th century, for example. It only makes sense that the future portrayed in Flux doesn't make total sense to our 21st century perceptions at first.

     This movie has a warped, but familiar feel - characteristics any sci-fi fan would love. It's not dark and gritty, but simply unusual and ominous in the concepts it portrays. Charlize Theron doesn't give us an Oscar-worth performance this time around, nor do any of the other actors. However, they were real enough for the film to be believable, and that's what counts in sci-fi.

     If this film does not do well, it's only because the title looks like an anagram, it suprisingly did not screen early for critics, and Harry Potter, Aslan and King Kong all have her cornered this Christmas season. I'm afraid that with all the amazing skill Aeon has, she'll probably be no match for them at the box office. But don't let the hype of those other films shy you away from this film. Flux is probably just as entertaining.