MovieChat Forums > Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) Discussion > Decent movie, but lots of plot holes

Decent movie, but lots of plot holes

posted 15 years ago by oryxbeisa
5 replies | jump to latest

This movie has a great atmosphere, really awesome ideas, great characters. I love dark sci fi. Some of the actors have really terrific voices. But the plot seemed pretty weak in some areas, which drove me crazy. Any guesses on some of these plot holes?

1.Rotti has to lobby to pass a law for repossessions to be legal, indicating that there is still some form of government in the year 2056 which prevents lawlessness. Why, then, can Rotti (and son) kill random people (e.g., doctor who terminally diagnosed him) without repercussions? It may have been better if they didn't mention a law passing legalizing organ repossession.

2.That said, if there WAS lawlessness, then organ trafficking from healthy people would be the problem, not some illegal glowing drug extracted from brains.

3.Amber Sweet, the daughter of presumably the richest man in the world, tries to exchange sex for Zydrate. Granted, Zdunich is sexy, but she can afford whatever she wants I'm sure. Why does she not pay him properly, then screw him anyway if she wants?

4.Why would Repo Man kill Blind Mag in order to repossess her eyes? Eyes are not vital organs. Wouldn't just ripping them out of her head without killing her be gruesome enough?

5.Marni's body is tossed around an awful lot in this movie without any explanation. This may be cleared up if they release a director's cut.

6.Why does Rotti want Shilo to inherit GeneCo so badly? Because he loved Marni (though not enough to not kill her)? Because he originally wanted Nathan to inherit GeneCo? This part of the plot was very weak. This is why parts of the movie are really great as vignettes on their own, but they never really come together.

Anthony Head totally stole the show.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] imsosmrt123 15 years ago

Well the answer to most of these questions is that this film is FAR from realistic in any way. But as for the question about Marni's body, yeah, that would be in the director's cut. Rotti blackmails graverobber into stealing Marni's body. There's a small piece of this subplot in the deleted scenes on the blu ray (or DVD for those not in the US). Also, theres at least one shot in the final scene in the theater where you can see Marni's body.

In the most delicious way....
-Arrested Development

[–] joshuag0510 15 years ago

"Well the answer to most of these questions is that this film is FAR from realistic in any way."

It's not meant to be realistic, couldn't you tell??? Damn people have to have EVERYTHING realistic with films nowadays. Sometimes you just have to let go of what you know and just sit back and watch the movie for what it is. If all fiction were realistic then fiction would be BORING. What I'm trying to say is you don't go into a movie with an unrealistic plot and expect realism. Why don't people enjoy surrealism anymore?? Also, half of your "Plot holes" aren't plot holes. Movies don't have to explain everything, I hate to break it to you, you have to THINK.

I'm sorry if I came off pissed off but i love when things are just so surreal and I hate when people say something that's not realistic is a plot hole.

"Enough, is ENOUGH! I've Had it with these monkey fighting snakes, on this Monday to Friday plane!"

[–] Rascalpup 15 years ago

I know this is an old post, but wanted to add my ideas and speculations:

1.Rotti has to lobby to pass a law for repossessions to be legal, indicating that there is still some form of government in the year 2056 which prevents lawlessness. Why, then, can Rotti (and son) kill random people (e.g., doctor who terminally diagnosed him) without repercussions? It may have been better if they didn't mention a law passing legalizing organ repossession.

Regarding the kilings:

The law was passed long ago. The lobbying we see in the movie is for amendments to the law. Rotti wants to make sure Repo killings stay legal.

Regarding the kilings:

Given the amount of power that Rotti wields, I imagine he has some sort of control over practically everyone.

One way to get away with all these killings is to make sure that every one of his employees has had some sort of surgery. Then technically, he owns them ... just like he told Mag.

He can kill anyone at any time. It's just a matter of paperwork to justify the killing - he can claim the person was behind on their payments, and they got repo'd.

2.That said, if there WAS lawlessness, then organ trafficking from healthy people would be the problem, not some illegal glowing drug extracted from brains.

I agree. Also, I kept wondering why the Repo men didn't take more organs from the bodies, given that the person was now dead and didn't need their "parts" anymore. Take everything, chop it apart, and resell it all. Call it a penalty for defaulting on the loan. (evil grin)

Was it ever specified whether the organs were artificial, or just transplants? I had the impression that everything was transplants-- Pavi's ladyface fixation is pretty good evidence on that -- but I do remember hearing something about artificial organs. (then again, maybe Pavi's face is grotesque *because* it's a transplant, rather than artificial. just a thought.)

If the company is dealing in artificial organs, then organ trafficking is much less viable. The idea might be that artificial organs don't face the same tissue rejection problems as transplants.

Or, maybe the organ trafficking problem would have been addressed in the planned Part I / Prequel. I'm feeling generous.

3.Amber Sweet, the daughter of presumably the richest man in the world, tries to exchange sex for Zydrate. Granted, Zdunich is sexy, but she can afford whatever she wants I'm sure. Why does she not pay him properly, then screw him anyway if she wants?

Gravedigger made some comment about her "allowance" or "allotment". Daddy Rotti likely controls exactly how much money and power she has, so she can't afford whatever she wants.

There was a comment about her botched surgery being "only" a certain cost. If she had unlimited access, cost wouldn't be an issue - since daddy owns the company.

4.Why would Repo Man kill Blind Mag in order to repossess her eyes? Eyes are not vital organs. Wouldn't just ripping them out of her head without killing her be gruesome enough?

I don't think that the choice whether or not to kill was really an issue, because the order for Nathan to repo Mag was just part of Rotti's revenge plot.

In fact, I'd consider it a bigger plot hole if Rotti did want Mag to be Repo'd: Isn't he concerned about bad press? How much could those eyes be worth, compared to the bad publicity he'd suffer? Since he's trying to keep Repo'ing legal, one would think he'd be very concerned with public opinion.

No, I think Rotti just wanted to set up Nathan. Nathan may have planned to unnecessarily kill Mag for any number of reasons: he's a psycho, to keep her away from his daughter, etc.

5.Marni's body is tossed around an awful lot in this movie without any explanation. This may be cleared up if they release a director's cut.

It's more apparent in the deleted scenes. Marni's body was part of Rotti's revenge plot.

6.Why does Rotti want Shilo to inherit GeneCo so badly? Because he loved Marni (though not enough to not kill her)? Because he originally wanted Nathan to inherit GeneCo? This part of the plot was very weak. This is why parts of the movie are really great as vignettes on their own, but they never really come together.

Rotti has destroyed or corrupted every one he's ever met. Shilo is literally the last person alive who isn't a monster thanks to him. She's also the only person he doesn't "own" in some way or another.

Considering every person he knows is undeserving of the GeneCo mantel, it makes sense he would seek out the last remaining trace of his former love.

Plus, there's that whole revenge factor thing again. Getting Shilo to become his heir, he takes her away from Nathan. He takes the last bit of Marni away from him. In the end, he would "win".

Twisted. :-)

[–] Vesey 14 years ago

- (#s 1& 2)
I think there's definitely still law around, but it's more that the Largo's are above it.

In the very beginning a video ad is seen of woman reporter/lobbyist saying vote to keep organ repossessions legal blah blah blah... We also do see cops at certain points in the movie. So there is still a govn. I just think the fact that a law like organ-repoing was to able to pass at all (and apparently not get overturned for 17+ years)shows that in this society there are harsh punishments and people WILL get killed when they get in the way the law or greater good and that's become a fact of life.

The first few murders seem easy to justify/cover up if needed the doctor was killed by a bodyguard and the girl Luigi killed probably had at least one surgery her method of paying could of been to work for them the doctor could have been in the same situation it seems pretty easy to say they violated the contract or quit or didn't pay or threatened someones life and had to be killed and I bet other workers would vouch to keep their jobs and life.

It was Luigi's more public murders that bugged me but again most of those people probably owed Geneco and in some cases worked for Luigi it seems likely if needed you could hush up witnesses or lawmen with money or a free surgery

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a black market organ trade but it didn't have a place in the story, if I had a choice I'd rather steal from the dead than the living. And Zydrate will give you clients that keep coming back.

- (#3)
Amber sweet's method of pavement was well explained already

- (#s 4 & 5)
I do consider Mag's eyes a plot hole
It's more a question of why would anyone have to die when there eyes are repo'd. I mean I get that repomen aren't gentle and if the have to kill them to keep them from running or are too rough and cause them to bleed to death so be it but I'd think if that were the case. Nathan would accept the assignment because he'd keep Mag alive while another repoman might not.

But Everyone acted like she HAD to die.

I found out watching the commentary for a deleted scene that there was an whole intended side story that Mag's eyes were Marni's. It could have been that would of been the original reason Nathan turned the job down it is hinted in the song he say "But Mag's eyes are..." but with that story cut its possible they changed it to killing her so he'd object creating a plothole.

Again Marni played a big part in that side story which would explain her body being thrown around but honestly I don't recall this standing out to me as a problem.

- (#6)
It really just saw Ritto leaving everything to Shilo as a gamble but I like chew-toy's explanation