YMMV / Shredder Orpheus

• Alternative Character Interpretation:
  • In the second half of the movie, Orpheus can be interpreted as a Determinator who'll get Eurydice back no matter the risk to himself, or a Death Seeker willing to be reunited with her in death if there's no other option. Both interpretations are supported in the text given Orpheus embraces Persephone in a dream sequence, initially risks the Underworld entrance without the special skateboard, ignores the oracle's advice to avoid risk since he feels he doesn't have a life without Eurydice, and is all too willing to play Hades' death game in the climax.
  • Persephone can be seen as the nicer side of the EBN given her interest in Orpheus, soft spot for true love, and pleading with Hades to give him a chance, or just as manipulative as her husband since it's her continued interest in Orpheus that leads to his death, she doesn't protest the rigged Eurydice Door Show setup, and she enjoys the spectacle made of his death. Going further, it could be a case of Exact Words since her initial request was "just this once" and since he already failed there was no reason to grant special status.
• Awesome Music: The soundtrack, composed by Roland Barker, is a highlight of the film.
  • The main theme, "Ramp Out," is a synth-heavy rock piece that carries a sense of desperate hope against impossible odds, and is often set to skateboarding scenes.
  • The Orpheus and Eurydice love theme is a mellow synth and acoustic guitar theme that encapsulates their feelings without words.
  • Hades' cover of "Lazy River" is extremely catchy and soothing, with a sinister edge that becomes more apparent towards the end of the song.
• Funny Moments:
  • In the midst of Orpheus pleading with his parents to not shred his memory comes a funny moment when Apollo reveals the horrific punishment that awaits him and Calliope if they get caught: 100,000 years of word processing.
  • When Orpheus plays hard rock music to Hades, he's less than enthralled while Persephone and the crowd of shades are enthusiastic. Hades soon cuts the broadcast and calls the performance obnoxious, making it clear he's only giving Orpheus a chance because his wife convinced him. And what kind of music does Hades like? A four-choir group singing in the dullest way imaginable.
  • Hades telling Orpheus the conditions of his release is interrupted when the producer says they're on in 10. Hades capitalizes to turn it into a ratings stunt and game show where, if Orpheus succeeds, he'll win an all-expenses-paid honeymoon vacation for two back to the Grey Zone.
• Genius Bonus: The tarot card reading and what it means is outlined in layman's terms, and knowledge of the cards foreshadows the climax of the film. The Lovers in Orpheus's past represents not only his and Eurydice's happiness but also honest vulnerability, while the Tower in his present signifies a massive change and upheaval and is said to portend doom no matter where it appears. The Hanged Man in his future signifies ultimate surrender and sacrifice, which is why the oracle is so concerned for Orpheus and tries to convince him to avoid risk.
• Heartwarming Moments:
  • Orpheus and Eurydice have several long scenes of cuddling and establishing their love for one another, with Eurydice giving her nightgown tie for him to undo and Orpheus massaging her feet after a dancing session. Their wedding is equally heartwarming, with all their friends in attendance and Linus toasting to their love.
  • When Razoreus shows up with boxes of Shredded Wheat for Orpheus, Orpheus gives him a cassette tape of his latest concert in thanks. Razoreus is seen playing the tape in the finale as he and other skaters remember Orpheus.
  • As Orpheus prepares to confront Hades again in the climax, Razoreus demands he at least stay long enough to eat something. He does, and offers the boy his room until he gets back.
  • Staged though it may be, Eurydice tenderly picking up Orpheus's head to reunite with him in death is very sweet, as is the final embrace they share.
• Magnificent Bastard: Hades and Persephone rule the Underworld and co-manage the Euthanasia Broadcast Network, which uses soothing speeches, meditation, and songs to sedate and kill the living. When Orpheus enters the network seeking his wife Eurydice, Persephone helps him get on-air and asks her husband for leniency. Hades agrees and, after regaining broadcast control from Orpheus's hard rock music, turns his quest into a ratings stunt. Orpheus fails the challenge by turning too soon and losing Eurydice, and a year later, Persephone is dissatisfied with the latter's performance and lures Orpheus back to the network via a paranormal skateboard. Hades offers Orpheus a rigged second chance to win Eurydice back after stating the life-threatening risk involved, and he and Persephone gloat over Orpheus's subsequent death and reunion with Eurydice, who has given the performance of a lifetime.
• Nightmare Fuel:
  • Upon entering the EBN, Orpheus is given a printout of his personal information to take to a room, where he finds his father shredding people's memories. Before Orpheus learns that's what's going on he hands his papers over and nearly has his mind erased, and his parents soon argue over the pros and cons of essentially killing their son before his eyes.
  • Orpheus's death at the hands of the Furies. They bind him to a pole and cut his head off with a chainsaw, then toss the head around as the underworld shades cheer, Hades and Persephone gloat, and Razoreus and Eurydice are devastated. The Gory Discretion Shot makes it worse, and the lead-in is very ominous as nearly every character and even the scenery hints that Orpheus should turn around, Hades is gleeful about his impending demise and literally drags him away to meet his fate, and it turns out Orpheus is doomed either way since the show was rigged.
• Quirky Work: The movie takes the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to a post-apocalyptic future where Hades and Persephone run a broadcasting corporation that literally suck out people's souls, Orpheus's lyre was supposedly made by Jimi Hendrix in an effort to elevate human consciousness, and the lead-in to the climax revolves around skating an Underworld parking garage.
• Tear Jerker:
  • When he learns newcomers to the EBN have their memories erased, Orpheus begs his mother to stop his father from shredding his memory. Calliope decides that if they selectively erase Orpheus's memories of her and Apollo, he can go find Eurydice and they won't get in trouble for letting him go. She gives Orpheus a hug as the process happens and Apollo tells him goodbye, and when it's done, this exchange occurs.
  Apollo: Do I know you?
  Orpheus: ...No.
  • After losing Eurydice by turning around, Orpheus becomes a celebrity but finds the newfound fame empty, drowns his sorrows in skateboarding and music, has to be reminded to eat, and sleeps with a photo of Eurydice by his bedside. On one occasion, he dreams of embracing Persephone—an avatar of death—and saying he loves her. She vanishes before his eyes, while Eurydice appears behind him to ask what he means. When Orpheus tries to respond, nothing comes out but sand.
  Dream Orpheus: I love you.
  Dream Eurydice: ...What does that mean?
  • Orpheus's depression in general can hit very close to home for viewers, as at first he seems fine—he skateboards with Axel's gang and performs in concerts despite his Lyre-Axe's performance issues. Once the gig ends and Linus's frustration with him becomes apparent, Orpheus ignores his manager and misses appointments, lays around in bed all day and has nightmares when he does sleep, risks the EBN garage to no avail, and trashes his room on seeing Hades dancing with Eurydice on EBN. After Linus tries to force the issue, when Orpheus says he doesn't know who he is anymore he begs him to get help, and on consulting the oracle, Orpheus feels he doesn't have a life without Eurydice.
  • Eurydice spends the climax of the film trying desperately to save Orpheus and escape her locked dressing room to no avail, and slumps over in defeat, unable to watch, as the Furies cut his head off. When she's called on to reunite with him in death, she quickly wipes at tears as she leaves the room.

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