Christopher Webster [Film Festival 09.27.08] movie review musical horror



Year: 2008
Directors: Darren Lynn Bousman
Writers: Darren Smith / Terrance Zdunich
IMDB: link
Trailer: link
Review by: agentorange
Rating: 3 out of 10

There's been some controversy lately surrounding the question of how the studios could have made the decision to give Repo! The Genetic Opera an extremely limited theatrical run when it's backed by such huge star power and has captured the film going nation with its one of a kind marketing campaign. Well people, I got the answer loud and clear tonight when the projector started to broadcast one of the most ill conceived messes in the history of film. This horrendous belch of a movie is so extremely terrible that I honestly consider it a civil service that studios have refused to push it upon an unsuspecting public and perhaps even proof that Hollywood suits do in fact have souls under their Armani blazers.


Some words that come immediately to mind about Repo! The Genetic Opera; obnoxious, tacky, cheap, annoying, messy, grotesque, talentless, retarded and, perhaps most damning of all, boring. And, judging by some early walkouts, I'd say I wasn't the only one who feels this way. At first I was reveling in the idea that Edmonton Alberta was the only theatrical stop the film was to make in Western Canada, but now I'm wondering if we weren't the target of some cruel joke, or market test research. At any rate I should probably get onto some details.

Honestly, the plot is so unimportant to the whole spectacle of the film its not even worth getting into in fine detail here. All you need to know is that it's a future world where a company called Gene Co. has perfected organ transplants. It's owned by one family of severely f-ed up deviants who are all addicted in some way to surgery. In fact, in this world, everyone is obsessed with perfection and use Gene Co.'s services for all kinds of ill advised surgery. Thing is, if you can't pay your bills, they send the Repo man to reclaim their property. Ultimately though, the story is about old rivalries between two families coming to a head.

Sounds like an awesome premise doesn't it? And that it surely is, but it's how the whole thing is put together that's truly appalling. The opening credits use comic book pages to tell the back story. They look amazing, but right away you could tell something wasn't right. The pacing was off, the music was annoying, and you could tell the audience wasn't really getting into it (I heard laughing)...

... and then the singing started. OMG. Granted, I'm not that into musicals, but I'm more than willing to get into them when need be. But the songs are so creatively bankrupt they made me flinch. The lyrics are laughable, and I've heard better hard rock coming out of a hillbilly's muscle car. It certainly didn't help that half the film's cast couldn't really even sing all that well. Poor Paul Sorvino. At least Paris Hilton has made a career out of being a half talent, but to make a talent like Sorvino be part of such a cinematic boner is inexcusable.

One thing the film had going for it were the amazing visuals. The costumes and set designs were all Dirty Victorian Chic to perfection and honestly staggering (though often amazing CGI vistas would trump sets that looked like cheap theater backdrops). There's no question that Goths are gonna flip their lids over the whole world that's created and it's the only reason this film gets the 3 points it did.

This movie will either be a 10 out of 10 or a 0 out of 10 for pretty much everyone who sees it this year, but I think it'll definitely end up in IMDB's bottom 100 when all is said and done.

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Dave Kellum (12 years ago) Reply

I tend to avoid movies that say "Instant Cult Classic" on the poster, because chances are it isn't.

bad dog (12 years ago) Reply

I always thought "instant cult classic" translated as, "It sucked, but you might like it while high as a kite on your drug of choice."

Hilarious review, agentorange. Thanks-

David (12 years ago) Reply

You're right about it being either 10 out of 10 or 0 out of 10 for people...can't change your opinion, but I think it's great a movie finally comes along that is so distinct it has that ability. I feel the complete opposite of you. I thought the music was amazing...the score was so unlike any other blend of boring movie music out there. Paul can't sing for the life of him tho, so that kind of sucked.

Anonymous (12 years ago) Reply

This is a movie that most people don't get but everyone should see. It shows what the world could become minus the singing. This film is very unique and creative, never seen before. It is a must-see for all movie buffs.

quietearth (12 years ago) Reply

no michael, everytime someone posts an idiotic rant, I delete it.

Ben Olko (11 years ago) Reply

Ha Ha agentorange! Not even close!! To quote you; "I think it'll definitely end up in IMDB's bottom 100 when all is said and done."
Its IMDB rating is 6.5/10!!
You were and still are most definitely wrong!!
This movie rocks!!
Your opinion sucks!! nuff said!

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