Aeon Flux (2005/Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: C     Film: C

 

 

Well, here is the third version of the feature film remake (a term we should use loosely) of the animated TV series Aeon Flux with Charlize Theron in the title role.  We have covered the film three times now and the HD-DVD version (which links to the widescreen standard DVD version) can be found at:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4192/Aeon+Flux+(2005/HD-DVD)

 

 

Because the performance of this Blu-ray is also better than the standard DVD and on par with the HD-DVD, we can only repeat the technical parts.  The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition is actually better than the original DVD, but instead of outdoing it, the improvements are held back by how the improved definition reveals new flaws, limits in color & detail and how digital red is still an issue with all HD.  This was filmed in Super 35mm, but a Digital Internegative was then used to an extent that gives the film a candy color look.  That color is richer here (as it was with the HD-DVD) than the regular DVD, but it is funny what you can get away with in lower definition formats.  This does look better than the horrible HD trailers on both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD demo discs in stores.

 

The sound mix is again much more like it, with the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 from the standard DVD being easily outperformed by the Dolby Digital Plus and DTS 5.1 soundtracks here.  I like them both, each with different advantages, but the most important thing is the improved articulation.  The same extras on the regular DVD and HD-DVD are here, though the trailer is in HD, but enough already.

 

After three versions plus the theatrical release, it is amazing how this film just disappoints and does not stay with you.  Fortunately, the animated series is on standard DVD and you can read about it at:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3008/Aeon+Flux+-+The+Complete+Animated+Series

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo