woopak_the_thrill
"ANY Human Organ Can Be Replaced; Just Make Sure You Can Afford It...Or You LOSE it!"
New Releases, Oscar-Winners and Obscure Movies!
Join | Log In
2010 film adaptation of the 2009 sci-fi novel about men who repossess people's organ implants.
< read all 9 reviews
Rating:
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to replace vital organs as needed with no complications? Who wouldn't want to be able to see better, hear farther, live longer, ease the burden of things like Alzheimer's from our loved ones? But nothing comes free, right? In today's consumer-driven society, people generally appear to have great difficult grasping the difference between "necessity" and "desire". However, you better be very clear in your own mind about what both of those things mean to you, as well as possessing a definitive understanding of exactly what you are willing to pay to fulfill either. You better be able to pay in full too, or at the very least, keep up your payments faithfully. Because in this subtly dystopian future, The Union will send repo men to reclaim their products if you don't!
+4
Remy (Jude Law) and his best friend Jake (Forest Whitaker) were soldiers once. Perhaps that made it too easy for them to make the transition into the private sector as repossession agents for The Union. Repo men once recognized by the general public, are most definitely viewed with a fearful respect that is anything but flattering. In fact, this biased view of a jaded society is not only causing Remy to doubt his career choice, it is seriously upsetting the happy apple cart of his marriage.
Still, repossessing the mechanical hearts, livers, eyes, and other essential bits manufactured and sold at exorbitant rates to a mostly willing public is better than trying to finesse a reluctant customer into signing the purchasing contract, isn't it? Those salesmen like Frank (Liev Schreiber), seem like heartless soulless demons devoted to the almighty dollar in comparison. From Remy's point of view, the people who sign those contracts are well aware of what they are getting into, and if they choose to break the law by not paying what is owed in a timely fashion, then surely it is his noble duty to enforce the law by reclaiming the company's property.
He can't understand why his job causes his wife such anxiety or inexplicable anger, or his son discomfort at school and disturbing dreams at night. It's just a job, right? Remy loves his family, but discovers that love isn't always enough to fix what's broken. Now that it's his name on the dotted line, will Remy get his priorities straight before a repo man shows up at his door?
Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, and written by Eric Garcia and Garret Lerner, this film provokes thought, and is complex enough to support multiple viewings. At a run time of 111 minutes, it can feel like it takes it's time getting to the point though, and some viewers will certainly feel as if "the point" becomes meaningless or over-developed as we watch the characters Remy and Jake take form.
If you don't read the subtle clues along the way correctly, the plot twist at the end is a good one. The fight scenes were quite well done and entertaining, if not terribly important to the story. Potentially humorous moments fall rather flat as these are not characters given easily to humor or an easy compatibility with their fellow man. Rated for mature audiences due to scenes of a graphic nature, sexual content, language, and violence, Repo Men's overall look is rather slick and edgy.
Ultimately I was entertained, but felt that the overall presentation lacks a few vital elements to really give soul to this work. The focus is so strongly riveted to the dissociative in society, and the tale itself rather choppily delivered, that I feel audiences might have difficulty associating with main characters or really caring about how the story will end. Repo Men is a subtly horrific sci-fi drama made more complete with thoughtful imput from the viewer.
Reminiscent of such works as Logan's Run, Running Man, Total Recall, The Matrix, and Repo! The Genetic Opera, Repo Men struggles to tell its own tale without feeling too much like some other work. Entertaining, it none the less fails to reach its own potential. This film displays the potentially bleak existence possible in a society driven by commercialism, trendy surgical upgrades, and unreasoning desire. This is not a happy tale, nor will love, unrequited or otherwise, conquer all. This is an unlikely romance between a man and the dream of what his life could become; a rather Gothic reminder that only death and taxes are true certainties in life, and all too often our greatest dreams become our worst nightmares.
What did you think of this review?
Helpful
9
Thought-Provoking
6
Fun to Read
9
Well-Organized
9
Post a Comment
woopak_the_thrill
December 08, 2010
I liked this one quite a bit myself. It wasn't perfect but the redeeming factors were enough to entertain. Thanks!
show text editor
1
More Repo Men (2010 movie) reviews
** out of **** "Repo Men" is a movie that treats gore like an everyday necessity. The film is a celebration of blood, organs, and repossession involving both; which makes it a somewhat interesting movie. If you like gore, then you've got gore. But for once, this is a gory film that is not a horror movie. It is, instead, a work of science fiction. It's not insulting to the genre, although by the end, I couldn't help but wonder if the screenwriters took their script seriously. … more
Comments (1)
Compliments (12)
Title seem familiar? That’s because director Miguel Sapochnik’s “REPO MEN” is based on the novel "Repossession Mambo". It is unrelated yet may be seen as a movie closely related to the 2008 musical entitled “Repo Men: The Genetic Opera” which covers the premise of 'repossessing artificial' organs but instead delivers the idea with great vocals and musical talent that was also based on that novel. Truth be told, I am not exactly fond of … more
Comments (19)
Compliments (103)
When it comes to blood and guts I have a relatively high tolerance level. I can handle quite a bit before I start to squirm in my seat, but Repo Men hits that tolerance level within the first five minutes and does not let up. It rips and tears at your insides, slashing, pulling and tugging and just when you think you're about to get a break it starts all over again. I feel like Universal took a chance with this film, and about half way through either didn't like … more
Comments (1)
Compliments (24)
This film really didn't work for me. The script lacks any originality and takes a concept that was done to death in far better films and novels and tries to add in a bit of action and social commentary. Well, it got the action part right, but that's about it. While Jude Law makes for an interesting antihero, his character isn't sympathetic enough and his redemption is based out of selfishness and not true altruism. The story itself is full of plotholes and the twist ending is almost … more
Comments (4)
Compliments (6)
review by sniffcode.
March 22, 2010
Many viewers will call the plot of Repo Men just plain silly and many critics already have. Indeed the idea of a corporation reclaiming life-saving organ transplants from its constituencies who cannot keep up with the payments sounds more like a fun plot than one to be taken seriously. But the reality is that there is more science than fiction in this sci-fi flick. Mechanical organs for humans may not yet be owned, but human genes are. And, somewhat similar to The Union – the privatized organs … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (29)
Pros: thought provoking, interesting tale, good cast Cons: potentially disorienting, depressing or off-putting to viewers The Bottom Line: Entertaining, but does not fulfill its potential Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to replace vital organs as needed with no complications? Who wouldn't want to be able to see better, hear farther, live longer, ease the burden of things like Alzheimer's from our loved ones? But nothing … more
Comment
Compliment
review by bridget3420.
August 24, 2010
I really liked this movie. Jude Law and Forest Whitaker were amazing! The storyline is chilling and totally believable.
Comment
Compliment
REPO MEN may be worthy of a bit of interest in the novel form 'The Repossession Mambo' by Eric Garcia (who co-wrote the script with Garrett Lerner), but as a film it is simply silly. After about fifteen minutes into the movie the greatest temptation is to turn it off, but since it is paid for you sit through it, hoping that it will have some redeeming graces. Mistake. Directed by neophyte Miguel Sapochnik whose credits are in art direction, the film for some reason has a number … more
Comment
Compliment
About the reviewer
Quinn Blackburn (Entwife)
Ranked #50
Ranked #50
Hello, my name is Quinn... yes, that really is my first name. :o) I also answer to Mom, and occasionally Entwife. I enjoy Beauty wherever I find it... Nature, Music, Art in all its forms... I believe … more
Consider the Source
Use Trust Points to see how much you can rely on this review.
You
Entwife
Your ratings:
Recent reviews by Entwife
About this movie
In 2025, a corporation called The Union has perfected the creation of artificial organs, which have replaced organ transplants. A potential customer can apply for an organ, which are sold on credit, usually with a large interest rate attached. If the customer is unable to maintain payments after three months, a repo-man is sent to the customer to reclaim their property. The process of the repossession is brutal, and often results in the death of the customer.
Director:
Miguel Sapochnik
Genre:
Fantasy,
Sci-Fi
Release Date:
March 19, 2010
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Eric Garcia,
Garrett Lerner
DVD Release Date:
July 27, 2010
Runtime:
111 minutes
Studio:
Universal Pictures
First to Review
- About Lunch
- Press
- FAQs
- Contact Us
- Terms of Service
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
- Report Abuse
© 2013 Lunch.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
Lunch.com - Relevant reviews by real people.