The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition) Reviews

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1. Joanna Duarte

   October 2, 2010 at 12:42 pm

   Review by Joanna Duarte for The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
   Rating:
   What is all this chatter about the ‘original’ Phantom? Andrew Lloyd Webber explained his choice of Gerard Butler as the Phantom: he said he wanted a ‘rock star’ persona, and Michael Crawford, no matter what age, would not have fulfilled that requirement; Gerard Butler did. I have seen the stage play, and the movie several times, and I own both the London stage and movie soundtracks, and one thing that stands out is the emotion in Mr. Butler’s version, which does not come across to me in Mr. Crawford’s version. When Gerard’s Phantom is sad, you know it — when he’s angry, you REALLY know it! I also believe Emmy Rossum is about as perfect a Christine as there could be . . . how lucky was that? She’s divine! And how about Minnie Driver? What a hoot! I love her “these things do happen” routine, who cares if she doesn’t sing? What professional opera singer could they have found who could have played the role 1/2 as well?

   Anyhow, forget ‘the original’ for now. Give these fresh new people credit for breathing new life and excitement into the most successful musical of all time — they have certainly earned it.

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2. Anonymous

   October 2, 2010 at 11:54 am

   Review by Anonymous for The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
   Rating:
   This movie is superb! I really loved the stage musical but this is ten times better…no, a hundred times better. I even had people who said they disliked the stage version comment on how great this film is. I don’t understand why the critics are so harsh when the viewers are enjoying it. I should know, I’ve seen it nine times already…and I’m not the only one.

   There are some prominent changes from the stage version, but if you’ve never seen the stage version this movie is just as enjoyable. Gerard Butler did a phenomenal job. I myself was a little leary of him, knowing he’s no Michael Crawford, but now I like him a lot better than Michael Crawford. He makes the Phantom more emotional, powerful, and more easier to sympathize with. Gerard definately deserved an Oscar nod for his role, but that’s neither here nor there.

   I won’t give away any of the surprises of the film, but I will tell you something…you won’t be disappointed. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll get mad, you’ll feel sad, you’ll want to jump for joy, then you’ll want to throw things…it’s a very emotional piece and not just for women (believe it or not, more men have cried in the theater than women).

   This is a must buy! You may even want two copies because you will wear out one of them for sure.

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3. Marcy Gomez

   October 2, 2010 at 11:34 am

   Review by Marcy Gomez for The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
   Rating:
   You know that a movie works when it follows you long after you’ve left the movie theater. I saw the Broadway tour of “Phantom of the Opera” a few years ago and it has been my favorite musical since. I love it more than Cats, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon…you name it. Its romanticism and beautiful songs just blew me away.

   I was then somewhat hesitant to see the film version, fearing that it would not live up to my expectations. A little over two hours later and I found myself crying over the Phantom (Gerard Butler) and his love for the young Christine Daae (Emmy Rossum) as she decides between him or the nobleman Raoul (Patrick Wilson).

   In short, I love this movie! It was everything I had hoped it to be and more. The story is faithful to the stage version but it also gives the audience a closer look into the lives of the three main characters. The art direction, sets and costumes are resplendent and breath-taking. And the songs are brought to life superbly by the talented cast of young newcomers (Rossum, Wilson) and film veterans (Miranda Richardson, Ciaran Hinds, Simon Callow).

   I know many would argue that Michael Crawford was a superb Phantom…that is, except for me. I always felt that Crawford’s voice was too high-pitched and not manly enough. To me, Gerard Butler is more effective Phantom. Apart from being incredibly handsome (under that make-up), tall and well built, he also has this rough and raspy voice that is very masculine and full of passion. He IS the Phantom! Emmy Rossum has a hauntingly beautiful voice and has an innocence and sweetness that fits perfectly for Christine. Her voice gives me goosebumps! Patrick Wilson’s romantic voice contrasts well with that of the Phantom’s. After all, one is supposed to be a nobleman and the romantic hero while the other is dark, mysterious and brooding (like the misunderstood Quasimodo of “Hunchback of the Notre Dame.”) But even without the singing, Gerard Butler turns in a memorable and passionate performance as the Phantom and you really do feel for him in the end. If there was one fault to this film, for me, it would be Minnie Driver’s Carlotta. She was so over the top that I sometimes found her grating.

   All in all, however, I walked out of the theater wanting to see “Phantom of the Opera” again and again (I’ve now seen it twice and counting). I couldn’t get the music out of my head and have since purchased the CD. I can’t wait for the dvd to come out so I can watch it over and over. I highly recommend it to fans of the stage version, music lovers and incurable romantics everywhere. And if you loved the songs, be sure to pick up the equally superb soundtrack. This phantom will haunt you long after you’ve left the movie theater….and I have gladly fallen under its spell. Superb!
   

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4. Hazen B Markoe

   October 2, 2010 at 11:19 am

   Review by Hazen B Markoe for The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
   Rating:
   Many people will look at this film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical spectacular, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with mixed emotions. There are people who will be upset that Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford, who played the original Christine and Phantom respectively, were not allowed to recreate their signature roles. There will also be people who’ll be disappointed that this version is not a literal translation of the stage musical. Finally, we have the critics of both Webber and director Joel Schumacher, who have both been accused of wretched excess in previous projects in their individual careers. Taken as a film version however, this PHANTOM stands the test of time, not only as a wonderful musical film, but as one of the more faithful versions of Gaston Laroux’s romance/horror novel.

   Starting with a black and white prologue, the film tells the story of budding opera star Christine Daae and the two men who fight for her heart: the noble Viscount who she knew in childhood, and the mysterious Phantom of the Paris Opera House who hides his ugliness behind a half-mask while sponsoring Christine’s career. Like the stage production, this film is awash in glorious colors and sets that would put many epics to shame. It’s well balanced by solid performances that help propel the romantic, if melodramatic, story along.

   Gerard Butler makes for a wonderfully dark and obsessive Phantom, while allowing the character to retain the audience’s sympathy. Miranda Richardson is solid as the dour Madame Giry, who knows the Phantom’s secret. Minnie Driver easily gets the most laughs as the over-bearing diva, Carlotta. (It’s interesting to note that Ms. Driver’s singing is dubbed in the film proper, while she actually sings the new closing credits melody “Learn to be Lonely.”) Patrick Wilson makes for a stalwart, if somewhat bland, Viscount. But the strongest impression is made by the lovely Emmy Rossum. Only in her late teens when filming, she turns in a fantastic performance with a crystal clear voice that does justice to Webber’s score. Joel Schumacher does a strong enough job in directing this film, allowing the music and the screenplay that he co-wrote with Webber to shine.

   In the end, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is a delightful spectacle that does justice in its own way to both the stage original and Laroux’s book. As such, this is a film I highly recommend.
   

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