REPO! the Genetic Opera

A friend who saw Repo! The Genetic Opera before I did hated it because it was unrealistic. This lead me to two thoughts:
1. Since when does horror have to be realistic?
2. Why are you telling me? I'll probably never watch it.

Repo! had been in movie rumor mill for a while, first it was then it wasn't. Then it was back on but, had Paris Hilton on board. I wasn't really ever sure what exactly was going on. Finally, Lion's Gate released it after much debate. From what I'm able to gather the strongest point of contention was "Who would pay to see it?"

The answer a lot of people! We are a culture fascinated with gore, macabre, and human monsters. Sweeny Todd for example has been a huge grossing musical then movie. It's all about eating people! After finding this Genetic Opera on netflix, I couldn't help myself. I had to see it, what was so unrealistic about it and just how bad was Paris?

The claim that Repo! could never happen is flimsy at best. It is very realistic, think about the threat of germ warfare. If that's possible, why wouldn't those attacked need new organs? How is it also not possible for an intelligent man to come up with a way to provide those organs? Cloning and steam cell research come to mind there. It is entirely feasible that that could someday be our future. If you look at Marni's tombstone it says she was born in 2011, so they're not asking you to believe this is happening now. But, simply that it does 30-40 years from now.

As for the repossession part? Why not? You can repo people's cars and homes why not organs too? Murder is wrong yes, but technically so is not paying your bills. Debtors prison was not made up. It was real. It's why lawyers come after you if you welch on debts.

But, I think the point Repo! was trying to drive home was society's corruption. It's not just the government, it's everyone, look at the character of Nathan. He's trying to do what he thinks is right, but does awful things to achieve the "right" He's struggling with the forced corruption of himself.

Rotti's kids on the other side show us how you can in theory live comfortably with corruption. To become inhuman, immune to rationalize I can therefore it's okay. Which funnily enough I'm seeing this logic applied more and more in the real world, the "I do it because I've gotten away with it, or know people who have." mentality.

In that regard I think Repo! The Genetic Opera is a masterwork. Add to that, it's shocking originality and the fact that it wasn't originally a Japanese film and I dare to say Hollywood has hope.