Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.

Director:

Darren Lynn Bousman

Writers:

Darren Smith (screenplay), Terrance Zdunich (screenplay),

Stars:

Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alexa Vega	...	Shilo Wallace
Paul Sorvino	...	Rotti Largo
Anthony Head	...	Nathan / Repo Man (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Sarah Brightman	...	Blind Mag
Paris Hilton	...	Amber Sweet
Bill Moseley	...	Luigi Largo
Nivek Ogre	...	Pavi Largo (as Ogre)
Terrance Zdunich	...	Graverobber
Sarah Power	...	Marni
Jessica Horn	...	Jessica Adams
Branko Lebar	...	Rotti's Chauffeur
Brianna Buckmaster	...	Sherrie Alviso (as Briana Buckmaster)
Anna Kostan	...	Young Mormon Woman
Brad Austin	...	Young Mormon Man
Marty Adams	...	Big Man

Storyline

In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

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Plot Keywords:

organ | epidemic | repossession | company | savior | 

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Taglines:

It's not just a movie....it's an event! (Road Tour Poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Musical | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 2008 (Czech Republic)

Also Known As:

Foniki synallagi

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,029 (USA) (14 November 2008)

Gross:

$140,244 (USA) (5 December 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twisted Pictures, Burg/Koules Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 150 min (original cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The video that Shilo (Alexa Vega) watches when she gets to the "Genetic Opera" was actually edited by Kevin Greutert, who edited the "Saw" films.

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Goofs

When the Largos' henchmen infiltrate Nathan's home to kill him, Nathan stabs two of them. After the second henchman drops, the tool Nathan was holding to kill them is completely clean.

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Quotes

Rotti Largo: Flesh is weak. Blood is cheap. Inconsistent consistently. Use your sense. Save your cents. The only thing with persistence is gold!

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Mother's Day 2010 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Blame Not My Cheeks"
Written by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich
Performed by Paris Hilton

User Reviews

A Beautiful Failure

Repo The Genetic Opera is an extremely ambitious undertaking. I can honestly say that after the screening I attended, I noticed that the audience was divided into a love it or hate it mentality. Myself, well... I loved the look and hated the film. I certainly have a deep appreciation for what the filmmakers tried to do here but the film itself is poorly casted, unnecessarily gory and has characterizations that are entirely unsympathetic.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible movie by any means.

It looks great and the story is actually quite unique but the incredibly weak songs and laughable sing-talking sank this one for me by the 20 minute mark.

That is Repo's biggest problem.

The songs are just not memorable. When you walk out of most musicals you tend to find yourself humming your favourite tunes. The music here is poor at best, the lyrics are laughable and the whole thing begins to feel more like an ambitious high school musical as opposed to the successor of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It was a valiant effort, but I can't help but believe that the subject matter might have worked better as a straight up horror film.

Some may call me a hater and that's fine... While you're busy checking your gut for spare organs I'll be more than happy to do the Time Warp Again. A 5 out of 10.