Let me just start by saying that the use of the word "opera" instead of "musical" is suspect. There really is a lot going on there in choosing that one word. Here in the US people place a lot of stock in "OPERA" as having a somewhat more classic and respected place in the arts than musicals. Even though opera is really just the Italian forefather of musicals. There isn't much of a definitional distinction between the two. It's a common tactic of those who feel the need to justify their own validity (such as the contemporary Goth community) to elevate ideas above others by simply arguing semantic points. "Opera is better than musicals therefore you are required to take us seriously" or "You dare not mock us" may as well be added to the already pretentious title.
OK, wound up on the use of one word is a very minor point so I shouldn't get hung up on it (too late, I know.) I'll move on.
The origin:
It came from a screenplay written by Darren Smith & Terrance Zdunich, two completely out of touch knobs who make some shit music that they somehow have hoodwinked people into regarding as listenable. I'll move on for now and get back to the music later. I watched a few youtube clips of the "MUSICAL" as it was originally performed. After determining that it was in fact real and not a joke, I'd have to say the placement of water boarding on the list of unacceptable tortures employed by our government has just moved down a notch. 20 seconds in I found myself feeling what it must have been like to be stuck in that theater not being able to leave. Interminable. "I'll tell you the location of the rebel base if you just let me sit in the lobby"
The director:
Darren Lynn Bousman. I really don't need to say much, a quick IMDB search will inform you on his broad and dynamic career directing and writing the SAW series of films. Needless to say I don't hold a lot of respect for the man. It's easy to see what's going on here. He has some kind of staying power with the SAW series, because of this the heads can't dismiss him outright. They really want to test his metal by throwing him a turd to see if he can make it float. A turd filled with pure 14th century Gothic lead. Will he be able to turn lead to gold, extract the gold and thus make the turd float? Only time will tell, and that (by the way) is a movie I'd like to see instead of this one.
The cast: (Fuck yeah i've been salivating to get to this one)
Some of you you may be aware that I do not hold a regular job. This fact may lead you to believe that I have enough time on my hands to adequately discuss how bad this cast is. Alas, not even I can afford such luxuries. Check them out for yourself!
- Alexa Vega as Shilo Wallace
- Paul Sorvino as Rotti Largo
- Shawnee Smith as Amber Sweet
- Bill Moseley as Luigi Largo
- Anthony Head as Nathan Wallace / Repo Man
- Sarah Brightman as Blind Mag
- Nivek Ogre as Pavi Largo
The plot:
Typical post apocalyptic gobbledygook. Completely unoriginal and contrived. Terrance and Darren need to grow up and realize we're all past this one dimensional pablum. Um, I think reality passed up this storyline in 1997 you asshat's. The plot centers around a company called GeneCo, gimme a break. Really? GeneCo?!?!? how long did that take to come up with? Terrance and Darren, could you please try harder? The 80's are on line 3 and they want their cliche's back.
The music:
It's crap. A bunch of gothic out of tune squaller and "creepy voices" blended with some not so gritty "edgy" guitar treatments (a la NIN, Powerman 5000 Rob Zombie.) YAY!!!! Not enough of this music exists already I'm so glad there will be more!
Oh fuck can I go on? Sure I can but I need to wrap this up.
I can't for the life of me figure out why anybody would think this movie needed to be made. I can only figure that the rising visibility of goth culture and the resurgence of musicals had to have a collision set by destiny. Bad taste and poor execution have never found such a home together as in this film.
All of that inspired by THE TRAILER.
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