The Phantom of the Opera

[snowbot]

When the filmmakers said they wanted to create a bigger version of the show, that doesn't mean they had to create a kitchfest. If that's the case, they should have just filmed the show on Broadway and released it on the big screen.

Yes, it's an enjoyable movie, but it's not a great film.

That reminds me, I remember reading that Webber originally wanted <i>Phantom</i> to be really kitschy, like <i>Rocky Horror</i>. That's how he started writing it, and that's why "The Phantom of the Opera" song is so cheesy and overdramatic with it's shock chords and stuff. It wasn't until Hal Prince came on board as director that they decided to make it a romance. So, if you view it in that light, I think the cheesy elements are more forgivable and maybe a little more enjoyable. Maybe it is a little tongue-in-cheek at moments, I dunno. But, I think Webber definitely did want to more or less capture the stage show on film. Which I think he succeeded at, and since I love the musical, I enjoyed the film. It's hard for me to have an objective opinion, because I was already a fan going into it. But I agree that by no means does it work <i>that</i> well as a film on its own. If this were my first exposure to <i>Phantom</i>, I'm not sure that I would have enjoyed it as much.

[RobinGoodfellow]

I find it odd that many are people are defending the movie because "it works better on stage" and that "it's supposed to be a cinematic version of the stage show." Since when did two distinct art forms pose a problem of creating a successful adaptation? When the filmmakers said they wanted to create a bigger version of the show, that doesn't mean they had to create a kitchfest. If that's the case, they should have just filmed the show on Broadway and released it on the big screen.

Yes, it's an enjoyable movie, but it's not a great film.

Ever seen Broadway shows on PBS? By using close-ups and certain angles, certain parts of the scene and performance are lost because these things aren't choregraphed/performed to be seen that way.

Citizen Kane's something to look at. Not only has storyboard work been done, but cinematic spins on theatrical conventions. Look at the scene were Kane has breakfast with his wife and the cutting back and forth progresses with them growing older and distant, even as it plays in a brief continous sequence. That, and the scene with the newspaper staff recruited to Kane's paper- changing from a photograph to the men posing for one 6 years later.

Little Foxes ('40s): Exposition scene from the play in a wonderful shaving mirror scene where you see reflections of faces and backs.

Chicago. Oh the tangent this is. Best use of montage I've seen in a musical so far.

Now about Phantom. I'm convinced the beginning was boarded. It's fantastic, from photograph transition to auction to scenes of the opera backtage in its glory day. Rest of the movie, I'm not so sure. I enjoyed this movie, though. Is it the only movie I've seen twice? Far from it but I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Oh, and on Who Sang and Who Didn't: Minnie Driver's songs were dubbed because she doesn't have opera training but that's her over the end credits

[Prince Eric]

I find it odd that many are people are defending the movie because "it works better on stage" and that "it's supposed to be a cinematic version of the stage show." Since when did two distinct art forms pose a problem of creating a successful adaptation? When the filmmakers said they wanted to create a bigger version of the show, that doesn't mean they had to create a kitchfest. If that's the case, they should have just filmed the show on Broadway and released it on the big screen.

Yes, it's an enjoyable movie, but it's not a great film.

Ever seen Broadway shows on PBS? By using close-ups and certain angles, certain parts of the scene and performance are lost because these things aren't choregraphed/performed to be seen that way.

Citizen Kane's something to look at. Not only has storyboard work been done, but cinematic spins on theatrical conventions. Look at the scene were Kane has breakfast with his wife and the cutting back and forth progresses with them growing older and distant, even as it plays in a brief continous sequence. That, and the scene with the newspaper staff recruited to Kane's paper- changing from a photograph to the men posing for one 6 years later.

Little Foxes ('40s): Exposition scene from the play in a wonderful shaving mirror scene where you see reflections of faces and backs.

Chicago. Oh the tangent this is. Best use of montage I've seen in a musical so far.

Now about Phantom. I'm convinced the beginning was boarded. It's fantastic, from photograph transition to auction to scenes of the opera backtage in its glory day. Rest of the movie, I'm not so sure. I enjoyed this movie, though. Is it the only movie I've seen twice? Far from it but I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Oh, and on Who Sang and Who Didn't: Minnie Driver's songs were dubbed because she doesn't have opera training but that's her over the end credits

Yeah, I know all that. I never said anything about it not being faithful to the stage version, because in all honesty, I could care less about the stage version also. It's a movie, so they should have made a good movie. Thank goodness it's out of the Best Picture Oscar race.

P.S. To answer your question, Minnie's singing was dubbed, but she sang the song "Learn to be Lonely" over the closing credits, supposedly to show that she can sing, and to cross-promote her new album. She's most likely going to sing it at the Oscars, since it's a shoe-in for the Best Original Song category. WHATEVER!

[Key]

Minnie Driver sings?

*scratches her head* I never knew this... I didn't stay for the Phantom credits so I don't remember how the end credit song goes.

[snowbot]

Were there any new songs in the film? If so, where? I couldn't recall any, but my brother swears there was at least one.

[Jack]

Were there any new songs in the film? If so, where? I couldn't recall any, but my brother swears there was at least one.

The only new song is "Learn to Be Lonely" over the end credits. No musical numbers were added in the context of the film.

[Prince Adam]

There was, however, new music written for "The Fairground" scene and (if I'm not mistaken) for the "Journey to the Cemetary" scene.

EDIT: I called the box office of my local Famous Players the other night, asking what time PHANTOM would be playing on the 21st (yesterday). They said that they were not getting PHANTOM at all, because there just wasn't demand for it in our particular area.

I was so mad. The closest place it's playing is like 3 hours away, and it's like the theatre just felt our area wasn't cultured enough!
My English teacher (a huge phan), was really angry. She's from Hamilton, and had a chance to see it in December, but passed it up and decided to wait. Now it's too late.

[pinkrenata]

I saw <i>ALW's The Phantom of the Opera</i> the second time last week. I still have very mixed feelings about it. I love it because it's Phantom, but even though Gerard Butler has grown on me the slightest bit since my first viewing, but I still think his singing is pretty bad. Emmy Rossum is beautiful (even if her always-present heaving bosom gets annoying after the first half hour or so), but her singing isn't quite up to par either. Of course, she was only 16 when she filmed the role, so by those standards she's quite good. Even so, Christine's part is so hard, it almost takes a more mature singer to play it, even if that means using an older (meaning early to mid-20s) actress to play her. Raoul is always criticized because he's the boring (read: stable) man vying for Christine's affections, but I think Patrick Wilson's singing performance was the strongest, even with his silly long hair. The most flawless performances, I felt, were "The Phantom of the Opera" and "All I Ask of You." "The Point of No Return" has always been a favorite of mine, and the movie version <i>almost</i> rivaled <i>Moulin Rouge!</i>'s "El Tango de Roxanne," but at the same time was not even close.

So there's my little thread bump for the day. As if anyone even cared about my thoughts on it!

Oh, and why is Madame Giry the only one with a French accent? They're all French!

[Prince Adam]

Actually, isn't Christine supposedly Swiss? or Swedish?

And who knows what nationality the Phantom is supposed to be...



Anyway, I finally got the 2-discer for my birthday last night!!! I haven't watched the movie yet, just the "Making of..." and the deleted scene (which, despite being very touching, would have slowed the movie down).

I can't wait to see the Phantom History featurette and the actual movie again!

[pinkrenata]

Actually, isn't Christine supposedly Swiss? or Swedish?

Her father's Swedish (naturally, making Christine Swedish as well), but it seems like she's been in Paris almost her entire life. If that's not the case, then where's her Swedish accent?!

[Disney's Divinity]

The most flawless performances, I felt, were "The Phantom of the Opera" and "All I Ask of You." "The Point of No Return" has always been a favorite of mine, and the movie version <i>almost</i> rivaled <i>Moulin Rouge!</i>'s "El Tango de Roxanne," but at the same time was not even close.

I couldn't agree more! "The Point of No Return" was probably my favorite song in the whole movie. I especially like the end of "All I Ask of You" when Christine and the other guy's voices are in the background just before the Phantom does his rage thing.

As far as being a movie though, I didn't think Phantom of the Opera was that huge (definitely can't compete with Moulin Rouge! for me. ^^). It was alright, but sometimes the singing seemed to prologue the movie too much. I'd be like..."When are you going to get to the point for God's sakes?!!!!"

I loved the woman who played Madame Giry though. Very nice.

[princesssnowbunny]

while i am absolutely fascinated by the new made phantom of the opera i'd like to know what everyone else thought of it? i really loved the music more than anything

[castleinthesky]

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[princesssnowbunny]

i absolutely loved the movie and am looking forward to getting it for christmas. the love the music