Review of Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) by Alice C — 30 Sep 2010

I absolutely LOVE this movie! I've always been a fan of unusual, dark, sexy, thought-provoking movies and this movie is all of those things and more.

The story is great and really makes you think. Could organ repossessions happen? If there were massive organ failures for whatever reason, people would do anything to survive and save their families. What if insurance companies denied you, put you on a waiting list or went bankrupt? In those circumstances, who can say what would happen?

The music is unique and sticks with you. The use of violins was brilliant. Since violins use strings, the notes glide through the air and seem to sing. The overall effect is hauntingly beautiful. The use of violins is increasingly rare these days, especially in a movie aimed at younger people, but the music is one of my favorite parts of the movie.

"Repo" is great visually, too. Every scene has just the right balance between color, lighting, and shadows to give the film the right feel.

Paris Hilton is in this movie, but don't let dissuade you if you're not a fan. While her character is also a rich girl, it feels just like an actress playing a part. Same with Ogre of the band "Skinny Puppy." Neither of them come off any differently than a seasoned actor might have performed the part.

Parents should know a few things about this movie before deciding if their kids should be allowed to see it. Blood/Violence: This movie shows organ repossessions (skin being cut, organs pulled out with lots of blood). A throat is cut, a neck is twisted, a 17-year-old is slapped in the face, eyes are poked out and removed, someone gets impaled on a fence (no suffering, but lots of blood pools below), someone is shot in the head, someone is shot in the torso, someone is cut with a bladed weapon, two people are stabbed to death, several security-type people are fought off or killed after they attack someone. Nudity: A woman's breasts are shown for a few seconds. A man and woman simulate sex with moaning (fully clothed, but the female is in lingerie). Drug Use: The drug in this world is "Zydrate," a painkiller, and a lot of people are addicted to it. A reference is made to "turning tricks" after trying Zydrate, which implies prostitution for her drug habit. The "Graverobber" character is a drug dealer and is shown extracting the drug from the heads of corpses.