One thing seriously lacking in the Hollywood system right now is originality. It’s very rare to come across anything anymore with an original voice free from being recycled, rebooted, reformatted, or remade. Enter Danger Diva, the third feature film from writer/director Robert McGinley, who previously helmed the cult classic Shredder Orpheous. This new film is highly ambitious and may, at times, show its budget limitations, but overall is a highly unique experience which will keep you pondering the ideas presented in the film for days after.
Devi (Molly Sides) is the singer of a rock band in the near future. Her fans don’t really want to hear anything other than the hard rocking sounds. She strives for something more, there’s another side to her voice she wants people to hear but is limited to an extent. She loves her band, but needs to branch out a bit on her own just to flex her vocal prowess. She auditions for an opera, which captures the attention of tech millionaire Stanley Arkoff (Tim Gouran) who wants her to take the lead. This involves having an implant which will not only enhance her voice, but allow her to use it in order to control and sooth the corporate employees whose energy works as an external processor for the advancement of the high tech millionaires.
Stanley appears to have her best interests at heart but the truth is, he’s dying. He plans to have his consciousness extracted upon death but he needs a child to implant it into so he can live on after death. As Devi begins to learn the truth, she has to learn to use the only resource she has available to her, her voice, in order to expose the truth of the situation.
There are many confusing elements to Danger Diva, but this is all okay. It keeps you thinking, trying to piece the puzzle together long after the movie has ended. It even serves as a springboard for multiple viewings, more opportunities to expand your thoughts of the experience. Robert McGinley may be a filmmaker who, in essence, creates cult films, he has a deeper understanding of the subject matter and allows his audience to take more away from his pictures. Molly Sides is a brilliant vocalist, as you will see in the film, but also in her band Thunderpussy. She also happens to be a very talented actress who takes you on a very emotional roller coaster throughout the course of the film. Tim Gouran also gives a terrific multi-layered performance creating a very sympathetic villain.
The movie isn’t quite a musical, though those elements are a major part of moving the story forward. It’s a terrific mixture of hard rock, opera, and cyberpunk score performed by Thunderpussy and composer Remy Regan. McGinley has a very unique voice and, much like his muse in the film, Devi, it’s much more powerful than he knows. This film is screaming for attention and it deserves to be heard.
Visit the the official site for more info on where to see Danger Diva.