The Phantom of the Opera (1989)

People are voting emotionally.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

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

'The Phantom of the Opera' is a victim of it's own overexposure. I feel as though it is a story that has lost a lot of it's resonance and edge as the adaptations have come and gone. Too often only the romantic aspect of the character is played. This adaptation stars Robert Englund in the title role and embraces the horror of the story to the fullest. This approach with the gooey gore maybe what this story needs to be fresh again. This film's successes and failures stem from it's decision to embrace the fact that 'The Phantom of the Opera' is and always has been a horror story. This adaptation has some moments of macabre genius and some really conventional boring slasher bits...The movie's greatest achievement is that it does a really nice job mixing Gothic horror with the kind of gory horror of the 80's. Fans of practical special effects will not be disappointed as it has some masterful and terrifying make-ups that Englund wears to perfection. The decision to make his mask dead flesh is horrific enough but the brilliant make-up used to create this choice is among the best of this era. It's one thing to have these horrific make-up monsters but their success is all about the presence used to surround them. This 'Phantom' is very fortunate in that the sets are extraordinary as is the direction. Dwight Little really plays up the mystery of the Phantom character and his surroundings. The most frightening moments come when the Phantom is kept in the shadows. There's some brilliant acting in this from Robert Englund. I think he has been one of the few actors that has been able to realize that the Phantom is a multifaceted character. Englund surprisingly plays up the romance of the part. Some of the best moments of the film come from when Englund's Phantom is engaged with Christine. There's a softness and vulnerability creeping through big bad Freddy. I love the moment when Englund's Phantom and Christine work on his opera together. He ends the piece of music in tears, with a lesser actor that would be contrived. Of course the Phantom's dark side must be played up. The character has a danger to him and isn't just a giant misunderstood pussycat. Englund plays the horror with great anger. He isn't just playing Freddy. I love the scenes where he interacts with other characters aside from Christine. Englund really drives home that the Phantom is not only a narcissist but an alien to the world above. This performance is one of the most faithful and interesting takes on this character. It does have some horror eccentricities from this period but I think Englund gets closer to exploring the Phantom than both Claude Raines and Herbert Lom did. Maybe I'm crazy but I think the only one to do it better was Lon Chaney.I think this could have been one of the best 80's horror films if it didn't play it too close to what I imagine the producers thought the target demographic wanted. The film is at it's least interesting when it tries to be a crowd pleasing slasher film. One make-up that is uninspiring is when the Phantom takes off his 'mask'. The Phantom unmasked looks just like Freddy which is such a disappointment. The slashing scenes are so boring. I wouldn't necessarily have minded them as much if they had done new things. The story has some grisly material but grisly material is only as interesting as the presence and build up around it. When the Phantom hunts his victims it's merely a slasher film. I understand that this movie had to find an audience through Englund's fame but I think horror fans are a lot more clever than they were given credit for. I don't mind all the gore but do something more with it and have it be an expression of character or thematic choice than gratuitous stuff that is done better in 'Elm Street' and 'Friday the 13th' films.'The Phantom of the Opera' is a pretty decent horror film. I think at it's best moments it has some moments that really are genuinely imaginative. At the very least it's a 'Phantom' that isn't afraid to be a horror film. That's enough to recommend it for me.

Okay, after giving the movie the twenty four hour treatment, I feel like I can comment on it. To be honest, I don't know what to think of it. I am a huge Phantom of the Opera fan, but it's obvious this doesn't hold a candle to the book, the silent film or the musical, so the changes didn't really tick me off. The point of the movie is that it's a slasher movie using the Phantom as it's source material. Okay... The Phantom arguably already a slasher movie, but I guess the creators wanted a more bloody slasher film. But that's not the problem, the problem is that they leave out stuff that could work and includes stuff that doesn't. I'm not giving anything away by revealing that the whole movie is told through flashback, with the true main setting being modern day New York, but that stuff doesn't fit. If it was a modern retelling of the Phantom, then it would make sense, but it's not, so it's really pointless. How the Phantom got deformed is another odd and out of place element the creators decided to put in, which I won't spoil, but let's just say there's now more to his name than "Phantom". But the one thing that, as a Phantom and a slasher movie fan, that made me slam my foot down was the fact that there's was no chandelier drop in this movie! That would fit the movie perfectly, seeing how it's main goal is to kill as many fictional people as possible. But I guess that's just a nit pick. So I'll end my review by stating what I like. Robert England and the rest of the actors and actresses are great. The make up, sets, and costumes are great. And it does have atmosphere and follow the events of the original book almost accurately. It's just the things they left out and put in that really bugs me. But watch it for yourself and make your own decision.

In New York, the Julliard student Christine Day (Jill Schoelen) meets her friend Meg (Molly Shannon) in the library where she works and she shows a piece of music from the unknown author Erik Destler that she has found on the shelf. Christine decides to use the music in her audition on the next day for a part in a Faust version in the New York Opera.During the audition, there is an accident on the stage and Christine faints. She relives her past life in the Nineteenth Century in London, when she is an aspirant opera singer and becomes the protégée of The Phantom (Robert Englund) of the London Opera House. The Phantom is the unknown composer Erik Destler that makes a pact with the devil in order to the world would love his music. In return, the devil destroys his face and tells that he would never be loved by anyone and would be disfigured forever. After a tragic ending, Christine awakes in the present days and has a great surprise when she is introduced to the producer of the opera."The Phantom of the Opera" (1989) is a gore and bleak version of the classic novel of Gaston Leroux. The make-up of the Phantom is impressive and gruesome. Jill Schoelen moves her lips perfectly and gives the sensation that she is really singing opera. The screenplay is original, with Christine Day living her two lives in two different centuries with the Phantom obsessed by her. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "O Fantasma da Ópera" ("The Phantom of the Opera")

I watched this movie for the first time shortly after it was released in theaters. I rented it with very low expectations mainly because it was a late 80's slasher, it was based on a novel that wasn't living it's best times at the 80's, and because it was produced with low budget. It didn't impress me so I forgot about it.20 years after it's release I bought it for nostalgia's sake and because I'm a die hard fan of the stunning Jill Schoelen. I mean, she was my first crush in Horror cinema and she's a favorite of mine. On the secondary aspect, I really like Robert Englund 's work in Horror. So what the heck? I watched it low expectations and I can proudly say that it's one of the best "classy slashers" out there. What do I mean with the term "classy"?. Well, the movie is based on the beautiful-dark novel by Gaston Leroux so that tells you that the movie's main plot needs to be placed in ancient times, but it gives plenty of territory for the director to insert gory killings (such as in the novel), slasher sub-plots, creepy atmospheres, and why not? cheesy one-liners.It's a solid slasher with some flaws but still, one of a kind.Robert Englund is perfect as the Phantom; this time, our beloved dark hero is a cold-blood assassin who fades in the shadows while trying to recover the love of Christine Daly. In order to achieve that, he will kill anyone who gets on Mrs. Daly's way. And that's what happens! The Phantom gets really mad and performs brutal deaths like a beheading, ripping off skin, violent stabbings, and more! Now, that's the best way to adapt a slasher flick on a classic story.Jill Schoelen is just arousing in everything she does. I mean, she has the looks of a tender inoffensive young adult but at the same time, she's sexy, sensual, clever, brave, and with that sexy voice, you can tell she's wild while on well, you know. She sings very good and looks even better. I dug her mini skirt outfits during the 1989 era.I really liked how the movie connects the actual times with the past and then, returns for it's ending, to the late 80's. It's a clever move not seen in much slashers.I recommend this movie big time for slasher fans. It won't let you down. It has all the winning elements such as inventive killings, gore, sinister atmosphere, very classy scenarios like the opera, the streets of London, and more. The make-up is pretty good and The Phantom is extremely disgusting and creepy when taking off his mask and while wearing the red death costume. Brrr. The music is excellent and Daly's creepy song is absolutely great, and haunting.Special mention for the scene where the Phantom sells his soul. It adds a sinister tone for this slasher. Oh, and I wanted to comment on the rat-killer that leaves in the sewers; he delivers a truly creepy but comedic voice that I just can't forget. I hope not to talk like him in some years.I truly urge you to watch the movie if you: A) love slashers B) like the novel C) Love Jill Schoelen D) Love Robert EnglundIt's a gory addition to the novel. Jill Schoelen, I'm still waiting for your call or e-mail. Whatever you want.