MisadventuresofMarla

Repo: The Genetic Opera

January 20th, 2009 by misadventuresofmarla

Repo: the Genetic Opera is an amazing movie! A Gothic, rock opera. Repo started out as a play, then a short film, and has now smashingly been brought to us as a movie musical. Jeremy and I watched it the other night and were in awe. It’s an amazing, visually stunning, treasure. It is what Rocky Horror Picture Show was in the mid 70s, an instant fanatical hit. Terrance Zdunich (co-writer of the film and actor, he plays GraveRobber) and Darren Lynn Bousman (director) phenomenon that will not easily be topped. Although, some are trying. A movie titled Repossession Mambo is currently in production by Universal Pictures and the plot similarities are absurd.

I am going to try and explain what the movie is about, however, I don’t want to give anything away. Actually, I don’t want to explain too much of anything because when I watched it, I had no idea what to expect. Not really, and I’m glad. It made that much bigger an impression on Jeremy and myself. So, if you can contain your curiousity, I would ask you to just watch the movie rather than search out any extra information. Let it be a surprise. Okay, on to the vague plot summery…

Repo: the Genetic Opera takes place in the future. A future where manufactured organs are “all the rage”. These organs are provided by a company called GeneCo. GeneCo pretty much runs the world in the movie due to its services. Think of them like the Federal Reserve. They control everything behind the scenes. GeneCo at least, publicly admits it. So, if your heart is old and weak, you can finance a new one. Just like a car. You can also “upgrade” your parts for better, classy ones to show your social status. Soon, everybody has genetic replacement surgery. Most, over and over again. Then, a bill is passed. Those who can not make their payments, will have their financed organs repossessed by a Repo Man. And so, the legal slaughter brought on by GeneCo begins.

Shilo Wallace, a sick young teenage girl, is the star of the show. Shilo is played by Alexa Vega. She has been held hostage in her own home, by her widowed father, for seventeen years. She knows nothing of the horrors outside her front door. You will follow the story through her eyes as she uncovers just how this twisted world works and where she fits into it. Through her you will meet some strange, exciting, and yes gorgeous characters.

Sarah Brightman, the delightful operatic whore whom any opera fans will know and love, co-stars as Blind Mag the voice of GeneCo. I found Blind Mag to be a very emotionally melodramatic character. To clarify, I do not mean melodramatic in an action-packed, thriller suspense, sense of the word but in the extravagant speech and behavioral way of the word. She inexplicably excites me just thinking about her.

GraveRobber, another personal favorite of mine, is played by Terrance Zdunich, the co-writer as I’ve mentioned. GraveRobber is the narrator from time to time and enchantingly guides us through parts of the story with a darkly come-hither, luring voice. His and Sarah Brightman’s musical numbers are of the best in the movie. GraveRobber is also, aside from narration, a Graverobber obviously. I will not tell you why he robs the graves but he, like GeneCo, provides a special service to his customers.

Now, before I get carried away and give too much a way…I will end. First, I would like to quickly note another perk to the movie. Melora Creager of Rasputina, and solo artist Poe have helped with the music for Repo.

Also, keep an eye out in the movie for another favorite main character of mine, Pavi. Pavi, I’m not even going to explain briefly who he is. You must witness his lovely, bawdy, silliness for yourself first hand.