While searching for other stuff on Hulu, I discovered that they’ve now put up the entire Aeon Flux animated series. Hoo, boy, this is probably, in my heart, the best thing anyone’s ever made about anything, ever.
Ahh, the memories… back in college, I was the ‘art film’ guy. Never mind that I was on the MBA track; come to my apartment and the ritual would begin. First, I’d ply you with exotic tea and Chinese booze - everyone takes a shot of Maotai their first time over, and no exceptions. (I’d tell people it was made from wood.) One ad-hoc tea ceremony later, and after I’d given my landlord-mandated warning not to lean on the balcony railing, we’d all sit down and watch either Aeon Flux, Masters of Russian Animation, or some Chinese propaganda movie that I’d both spot-translate and spot-deconstruct. Exhausting, but it really was one of the happiest times in my life. I still love to entertain, especially if I have something cool to show off.
So go see them! They’re all there, on Hulu+. I, for one, do not recommend watching them in chronological order; start with the talky episodes, and then come back for the mutes in one sitting. Hint: the whole point of the episode ‘Tide’ is that all the shots are of the same length and angle, and they repeat as a sequence. The talkies are easier to get into.
I own the DVD set; It adds only a director’s commentary reel. As commentary reels go, it’s a pretty good one, but if that’s not your bag then skip it.
Anybody else remember these? My favorite episodes are Demiurge, Ithsmus Crypticus, Purge, and Thanatophobia.
Also: don’t see the movie.