Category: Drama - Movie - Musicals - Musicals & Cast Recordings - Musicals (Theatrical)
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DVD The Phantom of the Opera (Widescreen Edition)
Although it's not as bold as Oscar darling Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera continues the resuscitation of the movie musical with a faithful adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster stage musical. Emmy Rossum glows in a breakout role as opera ingénue Christine Daae, and if phantom Gerard Butler isn't Rossum's match vocally, he does convey menace and sensuality in such numbers as "The Music of the Night." The most experienced musical theater veteran in the cast, romantic lead Patrick Wilson, sings sweetly but seems wooden. The biggest name in the cast, Minnie Driver, hams it up as diva Carlotta, and she's the only principal whose voice was dubbed (though she does sing the closing-credit number, "Learn to Be Lonely," which is also the only new song).
Director Joel Schumacher, no stranger to visual spectacle, seems to have found a good match in Lloyd Webber's larger-than-life vision of Gaston LeRoux's Gothic horror-romance. His weakness is cuing too many audience-reaction shots and showing too much of the lurking Phantom, but when he calms down and lets Rossum sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" alone in a silent graveyard, it's exquisite.
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Those who consider the stage musical shallow and overblown probably won't have their minds changed by the movie, and devotees will forever rue that the movie took the better part of two decades to develop, which prevented the casting of original principals Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Still, The Phantom of the Opera is a welcome exception to the long line of ill-conceived Broadway-to-movie travesties.
DVD Features The two-disc edition of The Phantom of the Opera has two major extras. "Behind the Mask: The Story of The Phantom of the Opera" is an hourlong documentary tracing the genesis of the stage show, with interviews by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Harold Prince, producer Cameron Macintosh, lyricists Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart, choreographer Gillian Lynne, and others. Conspicuously absent are stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. Both do appear in video clips, including Brightman performing with Colm Wilkinson at an early workshop, and Crawford is the subject of a casting segment. Other brief scenes from the show are represented by a 2001 production. The other major feature is the 45-minute making-of focusing on the movie, including casting and the selection of director Joel Schumacher. Both are well-done productions by Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group.
The deleted scene is a new song written by Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart, "No One Would Listen," sung by the Phantom toward the end of the movie. It's a beautiful song that, along with Madame Giry's story, makes him a more sympathetic character. But because that bit of backstory already slowed down the ending, it was probably a good move to cut the song. --David Horiuchi
More on The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (Special Extended Edition Soundtrack) (CD)
The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack) (CD)
The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) (CD)
Evita (DVD)
Andrew Lloyd Weber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration (DVD)
Review(s): DVD The Phantom of the Opera (Widescreen Edition)
Just Okay
After seeing various cast changes of this Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece on stage 4 times, I awaited this film's release with great anticipation. The funny thing about "Hollywood" they either improve upon the stage production, or like this disappointment leave much to be desired. Whatever happened to spectacular film makeup? This phantom seems strangely hampered by very minor scaring. This is not the classic grotesque phantom we know from prior films and stage! And with the geeky hairstyle given to Patrick Wilson, the actor portraying the romantic lead of Raoul, it seems almost a shame he was chosen by Christine over the much handsomer Gerard Butler.
Emmy Rossum makes for a very passable Christine, though her vocals were not quite as strong as some of the stage performers in the same role. A beautiful young presence with what should be a long career in films. The graveyard "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" scene is one of the most visually stunning; however, with so much of Ms. Rossum's cleavage exposed, during what was a rather wintry scene, the actress seemed noticeably unaffected. BRRRR. The same was true with her and Raouls roof top duet. And how could the phantom lose in a duel of swords to Raoul? Kind of takes away from the character. One of the more spectacular numbers, "Masquerade" was somewhat over choreographed, rather than the more free spirited stage productions. Each actor seemed rehearsed for their big closeup. And the choice of black-and-white costumes left much to be desired over the colorful originals. Dull even. We could also have done without the flashbacks of the phantom's dreary childhood.
There were some strong supporting cast performances, namely Minnie Driver as Carlotta. Though her singing was dubbed. Overall, an average film adaptation of an extremely wonderful stage musical, though beautifully photographed. Not uncommon with Andrew Lloyd Webber creations. See the stage version if you haven't already had the opportunity. Much more entertaining.
Dreamlike
When I picked this movie up, I expected it to be like the broadway play. It was almost as good. Though you don't get the full experience of music and movement as if you went to see it live, this was a wonderful adaptation to watch when you're in the mood. It's also much cheaper than paying for the tickets!
The movie was luxurious in color and detail, the cast did a fairly well job of singing and acting. The whole movie was like watching a dream and was hypnotic at times such as "The Music of the Night." Though not a perfect movie, this was an enjoyable one to watch. There seemed to be symbolism portrayed as well in the mirrors, the masks people wear and the rose in bloom.
I only wish that Michael Crawford could have played the Phantom. The one who they cast in this movie didn't seem as smooth or as polished in singing. But in the end, he garnered enough sympathy that I wished Christine could have stayed with him as well.
The Best Romance I've Seen in a Long Time
This movie is powerfully moving. It challenges our ideas of good and evil, fate, love, and why the world is the way it is. The phantom asks the question for us: why? why is anything the way it is? Why was he born disfigured to a mother who turned him out into the cold?
A French Opera house is terrorized by a mysterious figure in black who is called the Phantom of the Opera. He leaves very bold, very audicious notes demanding funds and certain directions for the plays, and finally demands in a note that Miss Christine be put in the spot light.
Christine is a lovely young ballerina of the opera house with a certain talent for singing -- a talent which she claims an "angel of music" has given her. When at last she is put in the spotlight in the leading roll of La Collatta, she disappears!
The Phantom's love for Christine is raw and real and very deep. But another man loves Christine as well -- and this man is young and handsome and succesful and also happens to be Christine's childhood friend. The two hit it off after Christine's first grand appearance on stage. Meanwhile, the Phantom watches in the gloom and plans his next move to take Christine's heart for his own. The two men spend the movie dueling over Christine, while Christine's heart is torn in two: for she cares for both men.
In the end, the phantom is neither good nor is he bad as he murders and loves with a strange wild passion that will keep you glued to your seat. As Christine puts it: the phantom is "nothing but a man."
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