Repo! The Genetic Opera
A Film, Musical and Music
In the no-so-distant future, a worldwide 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 the Repo Man.
Citing the effort as an amalgamation of Rock Horror Picture show and Blade Runner, director Darren Lynn Bousman brings Darren Smith’s tragic tale from the small stage to the big screen (albeit in limited capacity) in Repo! The Genetic Opera. With established performers, including Paul Sorvino, Alexa Vega, Paris Hilton, Anthony Head, Bill Mosely, Ogre (Skinny Puppy), Terrance Zdunich, Sarah Brightman, and a cameo by Miss Joan Jett, the cast is impressive. However, the real heart of the movie lies in the soundtrack.
The eclectic 57-songs of the movie feature work by Richard Patrick (Filter), Steven Perkins (Jane's Addiction), Clown (Slipknot), Ray Luzier (Army of Anyone), Brian Young (David Lee Roth's band), Richard Fortus (Guns & Roses), Sonny Moore (First to Last), David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Daniel Ash (Love & Rockets), Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne), Tommy Clefetus (Rob Zombie's band), Melora Creager (Rasputina), Poe, and Japanese musician and composer Yoshiki Haysahi (X-Japan). The soundtrack almost instantly brings to mind an interesting mix of the Judgement Night movie soundtrack’s genre-blending pinash, and the Hideaway soundtrack’s ability to capture the overall mood of the story through well-crafted and placed music. Add in the musical intrepidness of Joe Bishara, who’s works include the Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (a personal favorite), and you’ve got yourself a movie.
While the movie may turn out being akin to Phantom of the Paradise, or Godspell, I sincerely hope that the actors don’t mistake this foray into the world of music as an invitation to explore that side of their persona – it didn’t work the first time Miss Hilton…don’t try it again. But I can safely say that the soundtrack redeems this movie in spades, and lord knows we need more movies like this. There are way too many stoner comedies, woman-dramas, and horror movies that are remakes that shouldn’t have been done. So for all the short-comings that the film contains, at least it’s not Cloverfield.
Repo! The Genetic Opera soundtrack will be released digitally September 30, 2008 , while the film sees a limited release November 7th to be followed by a tour showing the film nationwide. www.repo-opera.com
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