Repo! The Genetic Opera Movie Review (2008)

Repo! The Genetic Opera is a Scifi Gothic Rock Horror Musical. It stars Sarah Brightman, Alexa Vega, Paris Hilton, Paul Sorvino, Bill Moseley, Nivek Orge, and Terrance Zdunich. Lots of big names.

In the year 2056, everyone is dying, their organs are failing inside their bodies and doctors are unable to help because everyone needs transplants. One man ends up creating natural grown organs for any who might need them. However it is of course expensive, but you need that heart transplant so you essentially sign your life away, and if you cannot make the payments then the company GenCo has the legal ability to repossess their property.

Produced by Twisted Pictures

Distributed by Lionsgate

This movie certainly isn't for everyone. It has severe violence, gore, sexuality, cursing, what have you. All the good things in my opinion. But it is a different story, unusual, and comedic. That gets lost for a lot of people and why a lot of reviewers say this movie was terrible. But that is because they view it as a serious horror movie and that is not what this is. This movie is meant to be comical. With that in mind, you can appreciate the hilarious majesty of this movie.

The music is great - most of the songs are just awesome and easily addictive while some are just plain funny. A personal favorite of mine is Zydrate Anatomy - extremely sexualized song, Joan Jett also makes a cameo appearance in this movie during the song Seventeen. Of course, any song with Sarah Brightman I love, she is an absolutely amazing opera singer.

But this movie really plays on peoples interest in the macabre and the dark. Plus it shows how messed up society can become if just given the chance. It went from people getting organs they needed to completely changing their bodies, slicing up their skin, changing out their eyes.

Something pretty awesome about this movie is that it began as a short theater production on a small stage back in 2002 - it was then redone and edited to change the characters and the relationships until Lionsgate picked them up in 2007 where they began official production to make their movie. The initial creator came up with the idea because of his friend, who was going through financial issues at the time.

You might notice the idea is similar to that of Repo Men - a newer movie with Judd Law with a similar concept except the organs are more mechanical instead of organically grown. Another interesting take on the concept however since I saw Repo! The Genetic Opera first and it is a musical I tend to favor that one over the latter. But not to crap all over Repo Men because it was a decent movie, with a twist slightly upsetting ending.

But back to Repo! The Genetic Opera - this movie is a prime example of a niche movie. It really isn't for everyone. But niche movies should be given more credit than they are. Everyone is so quick to jump on the basic appreciated movies like any of the Marvel movies, but those aren't the only good movies that exist. They just shove it in your face because they can afford to.

But smaller movies like this should be given a shot, because you might be surprised at what you find.