Repo: the Genetic Opera

I may be in the minority for saying this, but I absolutely freaking loved Repo: the Genetic Opera! I loved the dark gothic imagery and the style of clothing most of the people wore. I fell in love with the music. Oh, the music. I have to own the soundtrack even. The graphic novel look they used for the very beginning, to tell the background of the story, was awesome. (Maybe that’s because I’m a huge fan of comic books and graphic novels alike!) I realize that most people avoided even going to see this movie, maybe due to Paris Hilton. The thing is, if they let themselves get turned off because of her, they really missed out!

Some critics don’t seem to understand that an opera is just that…an opera. A story of some kind told to music. Very little actual dialogue that is not sung. How hard is it to keep that in mind? Really! So these critics go to the movies and watch this movie, expecting I’m not sure what. They knew there would be blood and gore. That was already a given. But they seem to have forgotten that Opera is also in the title…

For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, Repo: the Genetic Opera is a futuristic rock opera. In the story, there has been a widespread epidemic of organ failures for some 26 years. The year is now 2056. One man has taken things into his own hands…He came up with the idea of selling good organs to people who need it. If for some reason they default when it comes to payment, the Repo Man shows up and takes the organ back! Before he is sent to deal with the issue, government-approved assassins show up to handle the repossession first. Shio is the 17 year old daughter of Nathan, a man who actually works for GeneCo. There is more to the story though…You’ll just have to read more! Better yet, rent or buy the movie!

I thought Repo was an excellent and original idea, very well executed. There was nothing about this movie that I did not like. Sarah Brightman’s role as Blind Mag was great. The fact that she was blind but was still able to see past everything, I enjoyed. Alexa Vega’s role as Shio was good. She looked like a fragile gothic doll and I thought her performance was also good. The girl has grown up and Hollywood is taking notice! That now brings us to Paris… While she tends to perfom tacky-ly (lol), I thought she did well in her role as Amber Sweet, one of Rotti Largo’s children. She played the role of completely spoiled heiress to a T! It was, in many ways, a role made for her.

Shio with her father Nathan

I have been a fan of Anthony Head ever since he played Giles on Buffy: the Vampire Slayer! He even displayed some of his singing talent in a few memorable episodes. I will even admit to enjoying his small role in Then There Was You, a modern day lesbian love story. He is an excellent actor and it really came across in his role as the Repo Man! To see the contrast between his portayal as the bloody, hardened Repo Man and to compare it to his role as loving father Nathan, of Shio, was wonderful.

I have to make a mention of Paul Sorvino. While he normally sticks to the cliched strong man in positions of power (See Fulgencio Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, See Spot Run, Law & Order, etc) whether it is a mafia type or police officer type, he outperformed himself in Repo! Paul Sorvino portrays Rotti Largothe extremely wealthy owner of GeneCo, a company that sells body parts, organs to those in need.There is a reason that this man is still in demand when it comes to movie roles. He is strong, intelligent, and yes he can actually sing. He gave the role of Rotti Largo the passion, insanity, and tact that it needed. The man can still act, and it showed!

I could not in good faith or taste not mention one last actor. That’s right… I’m talking about the GraveDigger. Terrance Zdunich is talented! The man can sing and act! And his usual role when it comes to tv and movies is storyboard artist! How’s that for a completely different side of things? His voice was soothing and deep, even melodic at times. And yes, he was pretty good looking too. You can’t blame a girl, can you?

The last thing I have to say about this movie is that it is definitely bloody and gory enough to satisfy even the bloodthirstiest of horror fans! It almost seemed like at times that there was too much blood. When the Largo brothers Pavi and Luigi almost calmly killed the nurses in a fit of small rage, I was blown away! When Paris Hilton’s character’s face fell off because of too many plastic surgeries, I died! It was that good!

One last note…Not only is Terrance Zdunich a fantastic singer and actor, he also helped write the short and theatrical version of Repo! And, he composed the music for the movie! Last but not least, he illustrated the animation sequences for Repo!

2 Responses to “Repo: the Genetic Opera”

1. Eric says:

   April 3, 2009 at 11:31 am

   Well, I at least pretty much totally agree with you. I did feel some of the "dialogue" felt a little off from time to time (its just hard to fit everything to music sometimes), but most of the time it flowed well. Being a life long fan of Anthony Stewart Head myself is what actually brought this to my attention, but I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the movie was as a whole.

   Anyways, just wanted to add my spare change.
2. Kali Melton says:

   December 17, 2009 at 7:14 am

   Greet!