Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage production of The Phantom of the Opera is one of the longest running Broadway shows in history. Since 1988, fans have flocked to the Majestic Theater on West 44th Street to witness the majesty of Webber’s much-admired classic. Now, Phantom aficionados all over the U.S. can catch the show in their own homes. However, whether or not they will be satisfied with the Hollywood adaptation is a matter left unknown.
The Phantom of the Opera, the film, will most likely please those partial toward singing and romance on the big-screen. It is a fabulous production for those who have an affinity for lush-looking musicals. As for fans of the black-and-white silent horror, most will find that Webber and Schumacher’s work has nix on the 1925 original.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation takes a classic horror feature and morphs it into a lavish love story that bares a resemblance to Beauty and the Beast. Webber refigures the original full-face mask of the Phantom into a fashion faux pas and an insignificant band-aid of a covering. Here, the Phantom is not as grotesque and horrifying as Lon Chaney’s grim and ghastly portrayal, but rather more of an Antonio Banderas look-alike. And as such, this handsome hunk character, with only a smidgen of scarred flesh, simply doesn’t work.
With a mystifying and magical opening sequence where the chandelier is restored to life and the color is brought back into every aspect of the opera house, The Phantom begins. Legend has it that a phantom haunts the 19th century Paris opera house. Only the legend isn’t a myth; it’s factual. Deep within the cellars of the opera house lives a musical mastermind, who chooses to hide his unsightly face behind a small white mask.
This disfigured man, known as the Phantom of the Opera (Gerard Butler), soon falls in love with Christine Daae (Emmy Rossum), a chorus girl whom the Phantom has been giving voice lessons while she sleeps. The Phantom’s love for Christine grows, and he demands that Christine replace Carlotta (Minnie Driver) as the opera’s leading lady. However, embers begin to burn between Raoul (Patrick Wilson) and Christine, who were once childhood sweethearts, and with this, the Phantom becomes infuriated. In an attempt to cure his broken heart, he spreads fear and holds the opera’s cast, crew, and audience at his mercy.
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Article comments
1 - Nathaniel Winn
It is difficult to compare this movie--based on a musical which is based on a book--with the 1925 film, which is based on the book. They're hardly even the same thing at that point.
2 - visualsimplicity
I thoroughly enjoyed the 2004 edition although I've never seen the Broadway show or the 1925 rendition. The cinematography was spectacular, the music was grand, and the acting convincing. Emmy Rossum, especially, glowed in every scene she was in.
3 - Jack Cohen
The movie is unappreciated by many critics yet I believe it was one of the greatest musical movies ever made. It is unfair and not possible to make qualitative distinctions between stage musicals and movie musicals. The latter allows for flights of fancy and a broad sweep of creative energy applied to a cinematic spectacle.
This movie has it all,..comedy, drama, tragedy,pathos, beautiful music and extroardinary moments. It is pathetic to read bad reviews by critics who do not understand the greatness of so vastly underrated a work of art such as this movie most certainly is. Kudos to Schumacher, Webber, Rossum and company.
4 - Sharon
I have just watched POTO for my 53rd time. The first time I admit it didn't grab me at all but the third time it reached into my heart and soul and I watch it every day. I am not a young romantic woman so I am surprised at this. Critics hold no place in my life and never have. To each his own. I didn't see a theater production but have seen three other non musical versions and treat them all as individual shows and don't compare them. Gerard Butler's singing was perfect for this version. I see no Antonio Banderas...get your eyes checked. For me to watch the entire movie night after night, something I have never done before, says something to me that I guess you just wouldn't understand. I feel sorry for you. Go watch someone who can't act or sing...like Tom Cruise. Be happy!
5 - Randy P/Tube Pinoy
Funny that when my wife forced me to watch this, the first thing I said was, "Is that Antonio Banderas"?
6 - kathleen
well i have watched the phantom of the opera for the first time 8 months after its release and i think it is absolutely fabolous and magical. i just can't get enough of it and i watch it everyday and this comes from someone that never thought could listen to opera cause i thought it was boring. after watching this movie i realised i was wrong. all characters were amazing especially Gerard Butler (the phantom) that although half of his face was disfigured looked really sexy and so mysterious with that white mask. if i was christine i would have chosen the phantom imediately. he would have seduced me in a sec with that voice, i get shivers each time i hear him sing!!!!!!!
anyway for me it's the best musical ever!!!!!!!!!
can't wait to see gerard in his next movie
kathleen
7 - em
I have watched this movie about one million times and i never get bored. Gerard Butler's talents, not including his good looks, are amazing. I found myself entranced while watching. Emmy Rossum shined in every scene and looked as lovely as ever. These two people are now my role-models and i would love to meet Gerard!!!
8 - bethany
i had seen the one that came out aalloonngg time ago, but this one kicked its @$$ i heart the movie so much!
9 - Neil
The critics really showed their bias in reviewing this great film. First, toward Joel Schumacher, whom they have never forgiven for ruining the Batman series. Then towards ALW, who only wrote the most brilliant music ever for a musical that is still playing all over the world. And they certainly got off on the wrong track by criticizing Gerard Butler because he isn't Michael Crawford. Butler's interpretation is just as effective (in a different, far more masculine way). He gives the role the pain and anguish of The Phantom while at the same time the jealous madness of the man's obsession for Christine. Emmy Rossum gives a glowing, perfect portrayal of the heroine torn between two very different men and the chemistry between her and Butler is powerful to watch. Excellent photography makes the camera seem like it's prowling around the opera house in the same way that Phantom does. Very effective. Cinematographer John Mathieson deserves a heap of praise for giving the film the exact look that it needed for Gothic romance to work. Summing up: An excellent job by cast and crew. Don't let the critics keep you away!
10 - Diana
I don't think that the person really understood what the film was really about. First of all, he can't compare the 1925 to the current version. The first films of Phantom were supposed to be horror flicks. The Broadway version was adapted from the book, but was changed around by Webber. The story basically reflected his own love story with the woman he was engaged to at the time: Sarah Brightman (who originally played Christine). Anyways, I loved the broadway show and love how Schumacher did the film. The cinematography was fantastic and the way they re-recorded the music with the orchestra was incredible.
11 - Brianna
This movie was flipin sweet! =)
12 - Emmy Rossum #1 Fan
It was love at first sight when I saw the movie, now i'm soooooooooooooooooooo obsessed. I've become Emmy's #1 fan. GERRY WAS AWSOME AND SO WAY PATRICK!!!! THE MOVIE ROX!
13 - fialka
Hey I think the Phantom of the Opera is the best movie EVER!!!!!!!I like to sing the songs that I remember from watching it so many times in last two years.I have watched the play three times.I love the 2004 version of the movie,I have never watched anything other than those two.I think the movie would have been better without Roaul thought.Patrick Wilson played the part wonderfully,but phantom knew Christian better than Ruaol did.Plus Phantom needed Christian more than Ruaol.I think there should be a second Phantom of the Opera.
14 - Janet
I just watched The Phantom of the Opera with Gerard and Christine and I never thought a movie could get such a strong hold on me. His persona in the movie is so seductive and Christine shows in different ways how she is transfixed by his voice and lyrics. I am too! I am not big on music but I can't seem to get these music of my head....it truly has reached my heart. I wish there could be another movie like that one.