FireBurnsToday Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 As my favorite Green Day album, I think 21CB's been overshadowed by it's more popular predecessor, American Idiot, which is also amazing. I think a reason for this is because the storyline for 21CB hasn't really been clarified by the band, and we're not sure if there even is one. That's why I decided to write this post clarifying the story of the album and perhaps brainstorming a movie for the album. Maybe by posting this, I can convince some of you that this album is at the very least as good as AI, by showing you the story that plays out in my head when I listen to the album. Without further ado, I bring you: 21st Century Breakdown: The Movie Act I: Heroes And Cons Our story opens with shots of the country in turmoil and rioting as the Song Of The Century plays over the chaos. The year is 2032. We now focus on a year ago, where we meet Christian, a revolutionary disillusioned with the current oppressive government. He mostly hangs out with his band of rebels, the Class Of 13, fueled by old rock music and drugs (21st Century Breakdown). The CO13 execute plans by riling up the populace to rally up the demons of their soul to destroy the oppressive government. (Know Your Enemy). It is here that they encounter another band of revolutionaries, the American Girls, led by Gloria. She has a more non-violent approach but still can see the need for force if needed. Her fervor in bringing down the regime is still as high as Christian's, though. (Viva La Gloria.) We learn a little bit more about Christian now, as we learn that in 2029, Christian was lobotomized for his unwillingness to go along with the policies of the newly enacted government, leaving him an empty shell. (Before The Lobotomy). However, the emptiness inside him ended up slowly filling with rage over the years, making him an even more dedicated revolutionary than he was before. (Christian's Inferno.) Christian and Gloria share a moment to think about how they could be gone any day and how they need to make their mark, and confess their love for one another. (Last Night On Earth). Act II: Charlatans And Saints In the nation's capital, we see the extent of the regime's power, as the Christian theocracy rules the nation completely. With the nation ruled by an mysterious figure known only as the Peacemaker, the Bill of Rights was essentially discarded after a terror attack on D.C. With the entire chain of command wiped out, a mysterious figure stepped up to fill the seat of power. This figure was the Peacemaker, and he will show no mercy to someone he considers a heretic. (East Jesus Nowhere). After learning of the Class/AG's revolt, he sends the army in to slaughter everyone and leave no survivors. Christian holds the line in order to save Gloria, who escapes into a nearby apartment after almost all of the American Girls are slaughtered by the army. Christian also escapes back into the Insurgency, the base of operations of the Class Of 13 (Peacemaker). As the Last Of The American Girls, Gloria attempts to keep a low profile while still committing subtle acts of revolt against the regime (Last Of The American Girls). She gets a call from Christian's phone to meet him in at the Insurgency, and has to traverse the now-highly monitored city. (Murder City). However, when she gets there, she finds a tied-up Christian and the Peacemaker, who taunts her with her past as a drifter with nowhere to call home. He informs her that Christian's public execution is scheduled in a week, unless she gives up the fight. Gloria refuses and Christian is sentenced to death (Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)). Christian tells Gloria that he feels that his anger overcame him and that, in the end, he was his own worst enemy (Restless Heart Syndrome). Act III: Horseshoes And Handgrenades Imbued with fury over the Peacemaker's actions, Gloria returns to the base of the American Girls to rile up the remaining revolutionaries to raid the facility where Christian is being kept to rescue him. She also finds the remaining Class Of 13 and convinces them to go on the mission. (Horseshoes And Handgrenades.) However, they realize they still need to get more revolutionaries, so they hijack the propaganda office in order to broadcast a revolutionary message, with visions of blasphemy, which convinces enough of the populace that they think they can break through the guards. Jimmy and/or Whatsername could cameo here, but it's not necessary, as both work as standalone stories. (The Static Age). Upon reaching the facility, the Peacemaker tells them their cause isn't worth dying for, with both sides trying to convince the other to surrender before things get bloodier. However, the guards end up being the ones to let them through after the Peacemaker orders them to fire on the children protesting. (21 Guns). They break through and rescue Christian just before he is executed and the unruly mob breaks into the White House and brings down the regime, with the Peacemaker escaping into the darkness as mass hysteria engulfs the country and the propaganda TV stations are destroyed, which is where the film began. (American Eulogy). Christian and Gloria vow to run the country better than the previous regime did and set out to restore the freedoms lost to the Peacemaker, and the film ends on a note of hope (See The Light). I hope you guys appreciate this, as this took at least 20 minutes of my time to type out in full. I'd love to hear your feedback, so tell me what you think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solongfromthestars Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Interesting (and unique) take and always good to see 21st Century Breakdown getting some love! I started writing a novel based on my lyric analyses once but gave up. A movie or musical would be amazing. Sadly I don't think we'll ever get one. I like your interpretation of the Peacemaker being the main villain and the Class of 13 and American Girls being groups of revolutionaries. Your story would make a good video game too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wouter1994 Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 Sounds good Reminds me about how good the album actually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jengd Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 57 minutes ago, Wouter1994 said: Sounds good Reminds me about how good the album actually is. Agreed, I really loved it when it came out but listened to it in full the other day on a solitary lockdown walk and it really is an amazing piece of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wouter1994 Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 I think you should make a movie about American Idiot and after that about 21st century breakdown as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireBurnsToday Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 3 hours ago, Wouter1994 said: I think you should make a movie about American Idiot and after that about 21st century breakdown as well. I don't think I can make a movie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 On 6/5/2020 at 6:32 AM, FireBurnsToday said: I don't think I can make a movie! We have a few porn directors on the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Dude Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 On 6/5/2020 at 9:32 AM, FireBurnsToday said: I don't think I can make a movie! You can. and you will. We want it in theaters by November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireBurnsToday Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 18 hours ago, That Dude said: You can. and you will. We want it in theaters by November. I do like how your username goes well with mine. All that said, I think I'd rather leave it to someone with more movie-making skill than I to actually make the movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Boy Named Booze Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 20 hours ago, Sheenius said: We have a few porn directors on the forum wow an actual Green Day porn movie? 21st Century Fuckdown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Dude Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 1 hour ago, FireBurnsToday said: I do like how your username goes well with mine. All that said, I think I'd rather leave it to someone with more movie-making skill than I to actually make the movie. I will find someone with LESS movie making skill than you. It will be a unique film. What goes together with our user names? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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