Repo! The Genetic Opera [Blu-ray]
Repo! The Genetic Opera [Blu-ray]
Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 01/20/2009 Run time: 90 minutes Rating: RLikening Repo! The Genetic Opera to its predecessors, Little Shop of Horrors and Rocky Horror Picture Show, conveys this film’s high camp and operatic bursts of song, but does little to describe how absolutely bizarre Repo! is. Like Rocky Horror, Repo! was written for stage performance by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich, who stars as a Graverobber, dolled up in vampiric makeup to resemble Rocky Horror’s iconic tranny, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Hiring newbie director, Darren Lynn Bousman, fresh out of film school to shoot this mutant movie, Smith and Zdunich clearly focused on writing comedy into extremely gruesome slasher scenes, which works with mixed results. Stills of comic strips contextualize each scene, telling the story of biotech corporation Geneco’s repossessions of organs that they implanted into various patients to save human lives during a long history of operations. Organs, here, were bought on credit, and as the economy nosedives, citizens of this a makeshift Gotham City cannot pay bills, and must forfeit their lives to repo men make a killing around town, literally. Heading this enterprise is CEO Rotti Largo (Paul Sorvino), who has two bickering sons, Luigi (Bill Moseley) and Pavi (Nivek Ogre), whose white facemask is third generation Phantom, borrowing directly from Winslow Leach’s in Brian De Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise. Central to the plot is head repo guy/slaughterer, Nathan Wallace (Anthony Head of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), who hides his career path to preserve his sexy teenage daughter, Shilo’s (Alexa Vega), innocence. As Shilo discovers her godmom, Blind Mag (Sarah Brightman), and the “Z”-addicted surgery slut, Amber Sweet (Paris Hilton), she embarks on adventures through an urban landscape constructed of metal gear, corpse piles, and S/M zombie girls, while dad straps people up in his torture chamber to take back body parts. Hmmmm. Since Repo! looks likes a Marilyn Manson video, its musical niche sensibility will only appeal to fans who like Goth and Industrial music. To anyone who doesn’t go for that look, it does impress for its sheer dedication to choreography and song. In the least, Repo! The Genetic Opera is an anomalous glimpse into visionary horror. –Trinie Dalton
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars I’m infected
This movie, my goodness. I love it so much. I haven’t been able to get the music out of my head since the first time I saw it and I’ve watched it so many times since buying it. Yes, this movie is a little different. It’s not for everyone, but it is truly amazing. What I wouldn’t give to see this movie done live Rocky Horror Picture style…
5 Stars A Surprisingly Great Movie
I rented this the other day and was apprehensive at first. But by the end of the movie I was totally into it and now I can’t get the music out of my head. Seriously try this one out; even Paris Hilton was tolerable (but then again she was playing a socialite from hell, so not much of a stretch there haha.) I definitely give it five stars and I can’t wait to buy myself a copy!
4 Stars Very interesting
A rock opera for the new millenium. A horror movie/musical. Overall this movie falls a little flat in terms of the story. It’s somewhat silly and obviously just an excuse to show a lot of blood/guts/and violence. So Be forewarned. With that said, ‘Repo’ is still quite an entertaining movie. The music, the style, the costumes, sets , cinematography, editing, and the acting (with a few exceptions)all come together beautifully to keep the movie moving along nicely. And what a treat to see the great Sarah Brightman in a supporting role. If you break the movie down, ‘Repo’ has many wonderful scenes, and a few absolutely amazing scenes. And the music is pretty great too for the most part. Might not be to everyones taste, but if you keep an open mind and crave something unique, give it a go.
4 Stars Repo! A Genetic Opera
I thought this movie was awesome. It has some really great songs in it. Paris Hilton playing a junkie was hilarious.
5 Stars Goth Opera, Rock Opera, Straight Opera…Who Cares When It’s Great Opera!
I loved this movie. Why I waited so long to see it is a mystery to me. I have to admit, I haven’t watched an opera in many years. And the idea of rock opera in general is usually hit or miss. The exceptions being Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, and Quadrophenia. That said, this is one fine story. It’s got it all. Death, lies, lost love, wayward children, and redemption. Alexa Vega is great as Shilo. Loved her in the Spy Kids movies and she was great in State’s Evidence. She is a very strong character in this film. Anthony Head as Nathan, her father, is also very good. His change from father to Repo Man in just one sentence is chilling. Paul Sorvino as Rotti Largo was a revelation. What a great voice. Even Paris Hilton showed more than just a one dimensional character. As Amber Sweet, I even felt compassion for her at one point, and contempt for her the rest of the time. Also nice to see Bill Moseley in a part that seemed to be, pardon the pun, tailor made for him. The crowing glory was seeing and hearing Sarah Brightman as Blind Mag. What a voice, not just beautiful, but she has complete control of it. She owns it. Yes it is somewhat gory, but it just shows what most operas describe. After all, isn’t good opera about almost everyone dying at the end? It was even left open ended, so there could be a sequel. But there doesn’t really need to be. Highly recommended to all who love a good story, good music, good acting, and entertaining visuals.
Filed under: Blue Ray Movie Reviews