Repo Man

The years have been cruel to this film. People who like this movie must be caught up in 1980s nostalgia. The acting, scripting, editing, & effects in Repo Man are now student film production quality at best. Apart from Stanton everyone's performances including Estevez are high school grade amateur standard. This movie starts out scratchy and ordinary and then rapidly goes down hill before dropping off the edge of a cliff towards the end. I think the description of reviewers that this film is 'absurdist' is just a cover for it's incompetence, poor choppy editing and lazy scripting. It's an Emperor's new clothes scenario. The plot becomes stupid and inconsistent towards the end. Eg. People are sick but then not sick when around the magic car. There isn't much comedy to speak of. Just a few limp one lines. The Special in Special Effects in this film is more like the special in special school. The glowing flying car at the end in particular is incredibly poorly done. It's like they ran out of money and patience while making this thing. If you watch this movie you will be wasting 90 minutes of your life.

I've seen this movie more times than I know. Fifty at least, since I was able to find a copy two years ago. And I still don't know what it all means. But I sure do love it anyways. I suppose Repo Man was one of those essentials in the catalogue of must see punk movies. I think that's where I first heard of it, as a punk science fiction movie. That explains why it's such a crazy movie. Emilio Esteves is down and out suburban punker Otto, wasting away in his little town with no way out. He just got fired from his crappy price tag job at some hoser supermarket. His girlfriend dumps him and hooks up with newly released convict, Duke, who, along with a punker named Archie make a hobby out of robbing stores. Plus, his friend Kevin is a total nerd. And his parents, perpetually brain dead from overexposure to the tv preachers, gave away the money they promised him, which would've helped him get out that dump. Bud (played by super duper Harry Dean Stanton), a Repo Man, turns Otto on to the dangerous business of reposessing cars, which then becomes Otto's new occupation and introduction to some pretty crazy sh!t. Aside from dodging bullets by angry debtors and the fierce competition among the Repo Men to obtain a high stakes Chevy Malibu, Otto is also turned on to some UFO conspiracies as weird scientists go searching for extra terrestrials. That town Otto lives in is one crazy place. There's a lot going on, but it is so wierd, that it actually turns out to be good. If you like punk culture movies, this is definitely one to try out. Plus, you get a slamming soundtrack with most of the songs performed by the Stooges and the Circle Jerks. The Jerks also appear as the lounge act in the bar, and the guy who plays Kevin, Zander Schloss, later joins the Jerks.

I've heard about Repo Man and its legendary status for a long time, mostly because of the edited-for-TV version that scrubbed out the profanity with "Shoot", "Flip" and "Melonfarmer" overdubs which might make for a hilarious viewing...if you're lucky to have seen this edited version on television one late Friday night. The movie is one of the worst of the 80's that you might never have seen but know of its cult legend. Please don't be a fool by renting the movie thinking it will be funny as it's on the comedy section at a video store. It's the opposite of what you'd expect and it will infuriate you for wasting $1.50 rental fee or less on this trash heap. Why is it a trash heap? Because the plot is a totally one-joke shot. You'll see what I mean when you witness the mind-blowingly lame and anti-climatic ending. Not to mention dumb plot and character arcs and useless dialogues -- some flippant remarks this, profane insults that for humor effect. Alex Cox was a smug, hack filmmaker for writing and directing such a pointless and idiotic script. What were the financiers and producers thinking when they read the script? Hilarious and unconventional yet splendidly creative? I saw Sid & Nancy several years ago and didn't like that movie (except for the brave performances of the insane lovers), but Repo Man take the cake in being one of the most pointless and annoying movies of the 80's decade. The only scenes worth watching are the amusing scenes with the punk criminals (mohawk haircuts and all) because 80's was quite a nostalgic time for the youthful. Moronic story, "why'd they agree to appear in this?" acting and offensively dumb script make for the mind-numbingly tedious experience trying to make sense out of the schizo plot (what plot?). Alex Cox should go back to law school, I think he'd make an interesting living as an entertainment attorney representing underground punk bands. He's a good writer but this movie is embarrassing for everyone involved. 1/2 star out of four

Those who were unlucky enough to reach adulthood during the 1980s or 1990s will relate most to this film. Like all the best films, it sets no specific genre for itself, instead preferring to tell a story and leaving the audience to respond in its own way. Many don't get this film as a result, and a lot of the sight gags require an understanding of 1980s commercialism. The reward for getting it, on the other hand, is one of the trippiest films ever committed to celluloid. Director Alex Cox uses his connections to, or perhaps that should be knowledge of, the American punk scene to full effect here. The soundtrack is unlike anything heard in films of the same period, with numerous standout tunes that demand just as much attention as the on screen action. With lyrical snatches like "let's all leech off the state, gee, money's really great!", every moment in the film, musical or otherwise, is a commentary on the plight of Otto's generation, and generations since. Aside from the cameos from numerous musicians that you can connect to more famous figures in a Kevin Bacon sort of manner (Chuck Biscuits would later drum for Danzig), the film is very well-known for containing some figures who were either famous at the time, or would become famous in subsequent years. The obvious example is Emilio Estevez, but cast members like Harry Dean Stanton or Sy Richardson will also give off a spark of recognition. A lot of the film becomes a game of "where have I seen that guy before?". Not only that, but at least half of the lines are inherently quotable. If there is one flaw in the film, I can't think of it. The rain of ice cubes is a bit poorly realised, but that just adds to the film's effect. One notable writer has been quoted as saying "learn to see the worst films, sometimes they are sublime". Repo Man is sublime, but is also one of the best, for a number of reasons. Instead of using the money hose to wash away its creative problems, it revels in its inherent stupidity or weirdness. Where else can you see a woman with a robotic hand made out of tinfoil, and actors working so well around it? In all, I gave Repo Man a 10 out of 10. If you're into weirdness, this is the Holy Grail. Those who enjoyed films like This Is Spinal Tap or Rebel High, ponder no further - get this film on DVD-Video *now*.

I first watched 'Repo Man' around 1985 or 1986 and it knocked me out. I've watched it many times since and it STILL knocks me out! Alex Cox has made quite a few strange movies since this, mostly excellent (check out 'Three Businessmen' sometime), a few not so good, but this is gonna be the movie he will always be remembered for. It's a black comedy, a science fiction movie, a buddy film, a punk rock movie, it's all kinda things. There has been nothing quite like it made before or since! Emilio Estevez has made some really bad movies in the 80s and 90s but he is excellent as disenfranchised surburban punk Otto, and the legendary Harry Dean Stanton ('Cool Hand Luke', 'The Rebel Rousers', 'Two-Lane Blacktop', 'Alien', 'Paris, Texas',etc.etc.) gives one of his most memorable performances as Bud, the repo man who tries to be his mentor. The supporting cast are all first rate, especially Tracey Walter (Miller) and Sy Richardson (Lite), two actors who never became household names but who still generate knowing smiles and nods from cult movie fans everywhere at the mere mention of their names. Also keep an eye out for an almost unrecognizable Miguel Sandoval ('Get Shorty', 'Blow'). Cox would use him in most of his subsequent movies, most notably his absurdist classic 'Three Businessmen'. 'Repo Man' also has a celebrated soundtrack by Iggy Pop, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies and others. The Circle Jerks also perform in a memorable sequence. This movie is a cult classic which looks as good now as it did back in the 1980s. I love it. Highly recommended!

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source: Repo Man

Trailer—Repo Man

Repo Man

Much of REPO MAN seems improvised, but all in all, this is a good, quirky and entertaining flick. Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton are particularly good as a pair of repo men (car repossesors), though my favorite character is the scene stealing, completely underrated Tracey Walter, playing a kind of street corner philosopher role. It's also a blast seeing remnants of the 1980s California hardcore punk scene, including various musicians in acting roles, as well as seeing some of the less glamorous parts of L.A. captured on film.