The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

The Worst Film Ever

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Phantom of the opera is a better good movie i really enjoy this one it some good acting i thought it was better then the play

As I prepare to see another live version of Phantom at the Smith Center here in Vegas, I thought I'd watch the DVD again ("Maybe it's not as bad as I remember"). Now I remember why I justifiably hate this incarnation. First the good things.. 1) Emmy Rossum as "Christine". As much as I love Sarah Brightman's portrayal of Christine and her bell-like voice (a requirement for the role), I actually prefer Emmy's "Christine" to Brightman's. Part of this is due to the fact that with cinema, you can take advantage of subtlety in facial expressions and Rossum performs those very well. She's is anything but a one-dimensional ingenue! Her voice is excellent, and her acting is stellar. 2) Supporting Cast. The Managers are far more interesting in this version than in the musical. They have fine "pipes" and play their characters well. The same for Miranda Richardson as Madame Giry and Minnie Driver as Carlotta. 3) More "true" to the original story. The mirrored room, labyrinth, and the Phantom's "lair" can be more fully fleshed out on screen than stage. As a film adaptation of the STORY, this is one of the very best, and worth it for that much. 4) Sets, Set Decoration, CGI, costuming. ALL of these are stupendous and exactly what a West End/Broadway-to-Screen spectacle SHOULD be! The opening scene's transition back in time is nearly worth every penny spent on the Blu-Ray. In fact, the entire beginning of the movie - up through "Little Lotti" is precisely what you want from a movie adaptation of a musical drama.Then comes "The Mirror" and the movie crashes quickly. GERARD BUTLER CAN'T SING to save his life. Sorry but it's true. Oh, he can screech, scream, growl, and under-hit his notes, but he can't sing! This is especially a problem when the character he's playing is supposed to be a MUSICAL VIRTUOSO!! He is a master of music, so when he sings, it should be perfection! Butler sings like someone who is afraid of the notes, hedging them, resorting to patter and yelling instead of belting. I would even have preferred a 61-year- old Michael Crawford to reprise the role. Which brings up the second biggest problem with Butler's casting - he looks too young! Sure, Butler was 35 when he was cast, but with his Hollywood looks, he comes across as early 20's... FAR too young to have become a master architect, designer, musician, and make-up professional! He seems to be a contemporary of Raul rather than an older master. As someone who loves the character in both the film and the book, Butler doesn't do EITHER version justice. He never comes across as a man confident due to his complete control over every situation. In fact (and this blame goes to Joel Schumacher more than Gerard Butler) the entire CHARACTER of the Phantom is a plastic one- dimensional OGRE! The nuance Michael Crawford brought to the role was incredible (and probably responsible for most of the musical's success.) On stage, he is a flawed, loving, though damaged and hurt man. In the movie, there is really no sympathetic side of him - from the moment he brings Christine through the mirror, he is portrayed as a scheming, manipulative, narcissistic stalker-type. The stage presentation, on the other hand, presented a much more complex character struggling with true love, compassion and admiration for Christine (NOT just a drive to possess and ???? her!) I recall an interview where Michael Crawford spoke of intentionally NOT touching Christine because to do so would introduce a "sleazy" and "base" aspect the Phantom would consider rude and intolerable. This Phantom, on the other hand has his hands all over Christine which makes him creepy. The one part that SHOULD be creepy (the scars below his mask) are SO disappointingly understated, it looks like he had a bad night on the town after beating up his hair-dresser. If the big screen allowed ANYTHING in terms of improving the stage production, it would be in giving a wonderfully vivid, grotesque face to the Phantom. I've seen more frightening visages on a Freddy Kruger doll! Unfortunately, in Phantom Andrew Lloyd Webber does what he seems to do best - ruins a perfectly crafted stage production in their transition to the big screen. He did the exact same thing with Evita (except his major problem there was emasculating Che and making him some kind of jilted ex-lover). In his movies, Webber often improves his female leads while sacrificing his male characters in search of "box office draw" - which is the only justification I can see in casting Gerard Butler. The result a beautiful, enchanting feast for the eyes - ruined by a Phantom that is neither true to the character we fell in love with, nor can he carry a solid note in a paper sack. Had someone with even the vocal qualities of Ewan McGregor been cast, my rating would probably have been up between a 7 and a 9 (depending on his performance). But a movie about the Phantom lives or dies by the Phantom himself, and with all the movie has going for it, nothing can save it from Butler's presence as The Phantom.

Watched The Phantom Of The Opera With Gerard Butler(Timeline) as The Phantom . Also Starring Emmy Rossum(Mystic River) as Christine Daae, Patrick Wilson(The Alamo ) as Raoul, Miranda Richardson(Sleepy Hollow) as Madame Giry, Minnie Driver(Good Will Hunting) as Carlotta Guidicelli ,Simon Callow(Amadeus) as Andre, Ciaran Hinds(Calender Girls) as Richard Firmin,The It was an Epic Musical also really enjoyed The character also you were able to able to Empathize with The Phantom who I believe was the Victim not The Villain was the Pompous Raoul played brilliantly by Patrick Wilson also Incredible performance from Emmy Rossum as Christine The Whole Film is Butler had an Amazing Performance and great Physicality as The Phantom .also Amazing Production Design By Anthony Pratt(Excalilbur), Cinematography By John Mathieson(Gladiator ),Costume Design By Alexandra Byrne(Biutiful), Amazing Producing/Score/Screenplay By Andrew Lloyd Webber(The Odessa File) and Direction By Joel Schumacher(Phone Booth) The Best Screen Adaptation Of The Stage Musical 7/10

Just saw this recently. This is an entertaining film with wonderful performances by all, particularly Gerard Butler as the Phantom and Emmy Rossum as Christine. Gerard Butler plays the Phantom with dramatic intensity and flair. He plays up the dark and dangerous side very well and adds heartbreaking vulnerability during the tragic moments. His singing voice was also very good and has a haunting, raw and passionate cadence to it. I actually prefer his voice in comparison to the smooth, musical notes of a Broadway trained singer. Emmy Rossum is the perfect Christine, with a sweet and vulnerable portrayal that later grows more confident and mature as the story progresses. As a professionally trained singer she hits all the right notes and has a passionate, melodious voice that is a delight to listen to.The Phantom of the Opera is a visual feast with all the right ingredients: drama, suspense, action, romance and tragedy. The singing performances were memorable and very well done. A highly enjoyable film.