repo! the genetic opera

In the not too distant future, a corrupt transplant corporation runs a dystopia plagued by organ failures. When Congress legalizes organ repossessions for transplant patients who cannot pay for their surgeries, repo men take to the streets and chaos ensues. It's like the mortgage crisis, only with genetics.

Such is the premise of Repo! The Genetic Opera, a stage rock opera brought to the screen by director Darren Lynn Bousman, best known for his work with the Saw franchise.

Incorporating elements from Sweeney Todd and Rocky Horror, the film tries to be some sort of Shakesperean tragedy-star-crossed lovers, family drama, dark secrets and so forth.

But like Rocky Horror, the plot is largely irrelevant. Repo's art direction is its distinguishing trait. The film intersperses comic book cels to provide back story, and a bleak, stylized urban wasteland filled with graveyards and unflattering lighting sets the stage for the live action sequences.

Musically-well, it's a sci-fi rock opera. And the vocal cast is hit-or-miss. The most egregious cast member is Paris Hilton, who reminds us why her singing career ended after one album.

Entirely kitschy, Repo is shamelessly terrible. So awful that it will one day achieve Rocky Horror-level cult status.

In fact, Bousman probably directed in hopes it would be a cult classic. Repo is a science-fiction version of Rent made bearable only by the film's omnipresent smut, gore and sex.

Repo! The Genetic Opera has a limited engagement at the Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St. in Durham. The movie will be screened from Jan. 19 to 22, with showings at both 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.