Review of Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) by Wesley R — 21 Mar 2011

If you are not a fan of opera (even rock-themed ones), then this is not the film for you. The idea is unique and there is fun to be had from it; however, the execution is a little too rough around the edges. Some of the cast are quite good while others...could have used a few more voice lessons. I enjoyed the comic-style animated sequences, but sometimes it became redundant as it retold parts of the plot we already learned about and became an issue of style over substance. Really I could have done without most of these sequences and possibly a couple of the songs for more character development or smoothing out some of the storyline (ex: Nathan's motivation for his daughter's living conditions could have been more captivating). There were quite a few of the supporting characters that seemed really intriguing, yet they're used mainly as living set pieces to make the world of the film more interesting. If you're wondering...Paris Hilton isn't all that bad even though her character has a lot more screen time than I wanted for kind of a one-note character. The songs were hit or miss for me and really will depend on your love or hatred of certain characters.

Something that I have a problem with that doesn't involve anything in the film itself is the way that this is being marketed as a cult classic along the lines of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm sorry, but cult classics cannot be manufactured. They are films that earn this mantle over the test of time and the loving obsession of the fans. It will take many years before this film will or will not earn this distinction.

Overall, the idea and the world presented are an interesting one and I wouldn't mind giving a sequel or prequel a chance. The filmmakers cannot rely on just trying to appeal to their target audience, though, and they need to focus on a storyline that isn't just a showcase for gore, but follows characters that all have a chance to shine with their own motivations and purpose. Perhaps give us a parallel with our own society that grows more and more frightened and angry over what corporations hold for our own future. A film that gives us style with substance rather than too often style over substance.