Repo! The Genetic Opera (DVD)

Repo! The Genetic Opera, a singing and dancing and slicing and dicing cinematic phenomenon that's been reviled by mainstream critics, yet embraced by fans like no other movie since The Rocky Horror Picture Show, is finally out on DVD (January 20, 2009).

We here at Horror.com have been big boosters of the scifi-horror-comedy-musical-drama since the git-go (read our report from the set back in 2007), have posted several exclusive video interviews (Fangoria Con, Repo! soundtrack release party), and published not one (by Staci Layne Wilson) but two (by Keith J. Olexa) theatrical release reviews.

We even chose it as our #1 favorite flick of 2008. Therefore, a recap of the plot would be beyond redundant — without further ado, here's an in-depth look at the two commentary tracks and bonus materials.

Commentary Track #1:

Director Darren Bousman, actors Alexa Vega (Shilo, a little girl lost who finds her way to personal empowerment amongst the human garbage in a dystopian future world), Bill Moseley (Luigi Largo, a megalomaniac money-grubbing, scalpel slut-stabbing millionaire who's just waiting for his rich papa to pass on), and Ogre (Pavi Largo, a hedonistic lover of the ladies… and their faces… which he likes to peel off and wear).

In this commentary we learn that Bill Moseley adores pistachios, Darren Bousman likes cheese, and Alexa Vega covets candy of all kinds. Ogre refrains from mentioning food at all. There's also some solid information, such as tidbits about how certain plotlines were completely written out of the final product (why is the actual body of Shilo's dead mom, Marni, encased behind glass in the wall of the home she shares with her father? Why is the big birdcage in their living room empty?). It's a good mix between entertaining ("Can we say 'titties'?" Asks Alexa at one point), to the edifying (the first face Pavi is wearing is actually from a cast of Bousman's fiancée, Laura Bosserman).

They also dish the dirt (without naming names… dammit) on who was originally thought of for the Anthony Stewart Head role; some of Paul Sorvino's hilariously funny personality quirks; and there's even tattoo talk (fans of Repo have been inking themselves — and even Bousman wants to join the fray, but hasn't quite yet decided where, and what to get… looks like the famous barcode logo has the edge at the time of this writing).

There's lots of laughter and playful dissing. It's a lighthearted, breezy and humorous commentary, well worth a listen for those interested in the facts, the flubs and the fun.

Commentary Track #2:

Director Darren Bousman, music producer Joe Bishara, and actors and screenwriters Terrance Zduinch (playing GraveRobber, a skidrow Shakespeare in ghetto glam mode opining on the wicked ways of the wealthy and privileged while he himself deals illicit drugs), Darren Smith (cameo as The Bandleader, the music man who pulls all the strings at the big Genetic Opera, while orchestrating the enthusiastic crowd into a frenzy before the bidding begins).

This commentary is more subdued than the first one, but no less valuable. It seems Bousman did this one right after the first, simply exchanging chat partners, so he's trying to not repeat himself. Bishara says little without prompting, but when he talks it's well worth the listen: articulate, informed, and good-natured, he's a more than welcome addition to the proceedings. Zdunich and Smith, from what I know of them in via interviews done for Horror.com, seem quite restrained here. Both have excellent, off-kilter senses of humor, but in this commentary they're more about the serious history of the stage play and what it was like to actually shoot the movie (which actually makes for a decent flipside to the irreverence of Commentary #1). For aspiring filmmakers, and fans looking for more technical information, here it is.

In this commentary, we learn about Bishara's "big red bow" (not a euphemism! It's a faux violin bow he used to create some of the stranger sounds for the score), and a lot about the musicians who played and sang (for instance, it's revealed that "single mom" Jake Rearden's voice is actually that of Poe).

There is a through-line in both commentaries: 1) While Alexa talks 'titties', Zdunich says something about Bosserman's bust ('We don't say boobies, we say mammaries') and 2) Complaints that the critics didn't understand the movie (I do wish they'd clarified that it was the mainstream critics… a lot of the genre sites did support the movie, er, heartily. Many well-deserved kudos do, however, go to the fans, aka "The Repo Army"). And, 3) Hints are dropped that there's enough deleted footage to include  an entire subplot for an all-new director's cut of the movie (yay! They've got my vote).

Other additional release materials include From Stage To Screen — a mini-doc which includes home video snippets from the early stage play, on-set interviews with the Cast of Repo!, and some behind the scenes footage; and Legal Assassin — a clip that previously aired online at Repo-Opera.com, which focuses on the repo men, and Nathan (played by Anthony Stewart Head) in particular. For those wanting more info and back-story on Shilo and her dad, this is an excellent featurette.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson