Repo Chick (2009)

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• Eric B

  
  "Repo Man" -- one of the most quotable, funny comedies ever -- is an impossible standard to match and, not surprisingly, "Repo Chick" falls far short of its predecessor's twisted genius. Sad to say, the film isn't much good, period. Writer/director Alex… More
  "Repo Man" -- one of the most quotable, funny comedies ever -- is an impossible standard to match and, not surprisingly, "Repo Chick" falls far short of its predecessor's twisted genius. Sad to say, the film isn't much good, period. Writer/director Alex Cox insists "Repo Chick" isn't a sequel, but this is dubious. Both films are about a young rebel crossing cultural lines to become an unlikely repossession goon. Both protagonists have parents who donate their child's earmarked funds to a worthless charity. Both plots include a lavish bounty offered for a vehicle containing glowing, government contraband -- in this case, a train car hiding six ultra-powerful bombs called "growlers." And while there are no returning characters from "Repo Man," as many as 11 actors come back in new roles. There's even a scene that reuses the memorable "green flash of X-ray radiation" effect. Pixxi de la Chasse (Jaclyn Jonet, whose only previous credit is another Cox project) is a taffeta-wearing, Paris Hilton-esque brat who stands to inherit $77 million from her strait-laced family of "rapacious oligarchs." She's a pseudo-entrepreneur who dabbles in multiple areas of music, cosmetics and fashion but has no reliable income. A trio of obnoxious scenesters are her faithful companions, but they're eventually replaced by a German haircut victim named Marco, possibly for no reason beyond one no-name actor being cheaper than three. None of these characters resemble the gritty, authentic punks seen in "Repo Man" -- they're more like the sanitized stereotypes who might pop up on "Hannah Montana." Pixxi's exasperated parents (Xander Berkeley, Karen Black) tell her to get a real job or forfeit her wealth. After her pink sports car is repossessed, she desperately hooks up with the "Velvet Glove Acceptance Company," a renegade outfit that reclaims not only cars but planes, boats, homes and factories. Even a space shuttle quietly rots at the far end of the impound lot. For no plausible reason, Pixxi immediately becomes the firm's top gun. Her mentor is played by Miguel Sandoval (mohawked Archie from "Repo Man"), who is a bland substitute for the absent Harry Dean Stanton. After Pixxi sees a flyer offering a million dollars for an enigmatic set of train cars, she ferociously dedicates herself to this pursuit. You may ask, "Why does a $77 million heiress need $1 million so badly?" Well, this logical hole also occurred to Cox, which is why he adds a wicked detail of Pixxi's parents transferring her money to an organization that provides misinformation about parenthood to the poor. Meanwhile, a clandestine faction in headsets and military gear -- always shot in black and white, heaven knows why -- also wants the train and keeps tabs on Pixxi's quest. The crew includes Olivia Barash (one-time child star and Otto's girl Leila in "Repo Man"). Pixxi eventually finds herself riding the coveted train, which has been seized by some nutty terrorists campaigning for veganism and the criminalization of golf (yeah, I know...the punchline isn't as funny as it should be). Essentially, the entire second half takes place within a single train car, and the movie just about dies in the process. The only joke that sustains the sort of absurd, random hilarity of "Repo Man"'s buried gags (the generic-food motif, "plate of shrimp," etc.) is Pixxi's ringtone: an apparent sample of a droning Tuvan throat singer. When this is your film's best laugh, you're in trouble. Actually, the most striking feature of "Repo Chick" has nothing to do with its story. This is among the strangest-looking films you'll ever see. The action is almost entirely shot with green screen, and when it isn't green-screened, it's pushing miniature sets and vehicles that are "Plan 9 from Outer Space"-unconvincing at a glance. All the scenes also occur during sunny daytime. The result is a candy-colored movie that weirdly recalls a low-budget children's show from the 1970s. Except Sid and Marty Krofft had more likable characters. The other returning "Repo Man" alumni aren't much fun to see, because none of the main stars have returned except Barash (not even Tracey Walter or Dick Rude, darn it) and their new characters are so different (and aged) that you'll be distracted just trying to recall whom they played in the first film. The most notable role goes to ex-Circle Jerk Zander Schloss, who plays a trenchcoat-wearing doctor with insider knowledge about the bombs. But between a hat, facial hair and ample weight gain, he's almost unrecognizable. The cast also includes Chloe Webb ("Sid & Nancy"), Rosanna Arquette and Cox himself in broad, cartoonish roles of little value. What's most frustrating is that the germ of a better idea was wasted here. If the story had focused on Pixxi repossessing homes, it might have been quite timely. Something with a chunk of topical relevance behind its humor. Instead, we're left with a silly trifle that barely earned a theatrical release. I can't believe I used to like these guys.