'Repo! The Genetic Opera' Rocking Its Way Into Hearts..If It Doesn't Steal It First

Release Date (Limited): November 7, 2008

Starring: Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman, Bill Moseley, Ogre, Terrence Zdunich

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, language, some drug and sexual content

Trailer


Official Movie Website

I'm gonna say this right away: DO NOT SEE 2010'S 'REPO MEN' with Jude Law. The basic story is a complete rip-off of this film, 'Repo! The Genetic Opera.' While 'Opera' is a rock musical, 'Repo Men' is not, but the basic story is still very similar. Even the writer of the 'Opera' play (It's been a play for years before the film) has some complaints...Here's a video so you know just exactly how unfortunate this is for this film/play: Repo! The Genetic Opera vs. Repossession Mambo. I do not think 'Opera' will ever get credit though, but I may be wrong. Anyways!

'Repo!' is a 2008 rock musical set in a bleak future of a worldwide epidemic of organ failures. Fear not, for a biotech company, GeneCo, provides organ transplants for the public. Nothing comes for free, however, and those who cannot make their payments on time will face dire consequences.

For those in debt to GeneCo, they must face the Repo Man if they miss a deadline. If he finds them, their organs are repossessed and taken back to GeneCo. And no, there are no forms they have to fill out. The Repo Man will literally rip the said organs out.

Following the success of GeneCo, several people are now "addicted to the knife," or addicted to getting surgery, especially when the Zydrate drug allows them to feel absolutely no pain. Here's an epic song called 'Zydrate Anatomy' from 'Repo!' describing the drug. You'll hear the Graverobber (Terrence Zdunich; also the writer of the play), who sells the drug on the streets, Shilo Wallace ('Spy Kid's Alexa Vega), a 17-year-old with a rare blood disease, and Amber Sweet (Paris Hilton who is surprisingly good here), the daughter of GeneCo's president, Rotti Lardo (Paul Sorvino) and who is addicted to Zydrate and the knife.

I totally love the concept of this movie. I first heard about on Youtube and became curious at what 'Repo!' was. So I researched a bit and immediately LOVED the music. My favorites were 'Zydrate Anatomy' and 'We Started This Opera Shit.' Really catchy music.

The film is entirely a musical, meaning, EVERY WORD IS SUNG. The soundtrack to 'Repo!' only has the main songs, but, yes, the whole movie is sung. That may or may not irritate some people.

'Repo!' is bloody, theatrical, fun, and just damn weird, but in a good sense. It is now considered a cult classic with a VERY large fan-base. Even I want to dress up as bratty Amber Sweet for Halloween or whatever (seriously) and that is not normally my thing.

Personally, I'd like this costume.

Anyways, I've said before in my review of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' cult classics are generally different from mainstream cinema. So, if you mostly stick to mainstream films, skip this cause you probably won't like it. However, if you like the music I have provided in the links above, you may like the movie.

The soundtrack is awesome and the actors did great. Paris Hilton is surprisingly good here, so don't let her involvement in 'Repo!' persuade you to skip it.

Rent worthy? If you love movies that are different, rock musicals, cult classics, and/or gore, yeah, you may appreciate this film.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? It is out on both DVD and Blu-ray. Last time I checked, it is available on Amazon.

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic

'The Rocky Horror Picture Show': The Cult Film That Rocked The World

No doubt you've heard of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' If you do not know the title, you only need to look at the film's iconic image of lucious red lips, occasionally seating a Tim Curry transvestite, to make sense of what I'm talking about.

'Picture Show' is known as a "cult film" and there are several meanings to what a cult film can be. Some are films that are so terribly bad that they end up hilariously good, such as 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' and 'Super Mario Bros.' Some are obscure works that seem to be made by men who should be cleaning our raw sewage system instead of working behind a camera.


Some are just completely odd and different, which is where 'Picture Show' fits right in.


One thing is sure about all cult films: they are loved/laughed at (in a good way) by a devoted group of fans and are generally shunned by mainstream critics/audiences (sometimes just at first or the dreaded eternal hatred).


'Picture Show' is probably the MOST mainstreamed cult classic I know. By that I mean, even mainsteam-centered Hollywood loves it (not at first, but eventually). It was even selected for preservation for being "culturally, historically, or aestheically significant."


Many people embraced the transvestite from the Transsexual, Transylvania and his catchy showtunes.


I'm not even going to begin to tell you what the movie is all about because, if you're not familar, you would wonder what kind of drug I'm on for making you read such a strange story.


To be honest, I've only seen this once and it was just a few months ago that I watched it. I have heard about it for years, but never had a copy around to watch until then.


I cannot put into words of the many facial expressions I experienced as I witnessed the horror of certain bulging parts of a younger Tim Curry. I cannot look at Nigel Thornberry, who Curry voiced from 'The Wild Thornberries', the same way again without picturing black lace, stockings, and pearl necklaces.

Before Nigel Thornberry was a renowned expert of animals, he certainly knew how to party like one.

Despite my eye-poison, I kept on watching until the end for the sheer...weirdness of it all.

You get ear-candy along with that eye-poison though. This movie has some REALLY catchy songs, the most famous of these being "Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite," and "Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me."

There are other delightfully weird characters in 'Picture Show' like servant Magenta with her rolling, thick accent and her brother Riff Raff's skeletal figure. Even a young Susan Sarandon joined the main part of the cast as normal, newly engaged Janet.

Obviously, this is not appropriate for young children and you should use your best judgement of when you watch it if you have any around.

This movie is NOT for everyone. After all, it is a CULT CLASSIC, so do not expect the movie to suddenly become a typical blockbuster film. Cult films are generally different and that's just what you'll get from 'Picture Show.'

I liked the music and the characters are cool, but in all honesty, I thought it was all right over all. Not my favorite, but I've seen other cult films and mainstream movies that are much worse. Still, I gotta say: Let's do the time warp again!

Rent worthy? If I have made you curious enough, go ahead. It's on Netflix and you can easily find it at Blockbuster. Occasionally, some colleges host a 'Picture Show' night on or near Halloween where you can watch it with some other people.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? If you're a die hard fan, no doubt you own a copy already. I'm still new to it and don't know if I will ever own it. I do love that music though...maybe CD worthy for me.

Random Connection of a Sweet Transvestite to Disney: Susan Sarandon (Janet) provided the voice for Ms. Spider in 'James and the Giant Peach' and starred as the evil stepmother in 'Enchanted.' Also, Richard O' Brien (Riff Raff) does the voice of the British father on 'Phineas & Ferb,' an animated show currently on the Disney Channel.

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic