Like many other people who wrote reviews for this film, I have not seen the stage version of "The Phantom of the Opera," so I have only the Lon Chaney version (see my review of that film) and an Andrew Lloyd Webber compilation CD with four "The Phantom of the Opera" songs (all of which I have loved as long as I can remember) for a comparison. I must say that I absolutely loved this version, so much in fact that I spent the extra money to get the Special Edition and the movie soundtrack.
As for the soundtrack- Even though I have only heard the songs sung by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman before the movie came out, I would not dream of listening to any other version but the movie's. Unlike some people, I absolutely loved Gerard Butler's voice, which I find sexy and soulful. Granted Butler's singing may not appeal to some the most distinguishing of music critics (I am just a regular girl-not a music expert), unlike the angelic singing of Emmy Rossum, but it is not unappealing. It has an organic quality which I find refreshing. Patrick Wilson, who has done stage musicals, brings the same vocal strength to his role of Raoul as Rossum does to Christine.
There has been a certain amount of controversy about the age of the actors who play Christine and the Phantom, but I think they are perfectly cast. Emmy Rossum was about the same age as her character Christine, and Butler is more believable as a seductive "angel of music" than a much older man would be. I think that the Phantom's good looks (pre-unmasking) are a strength rather than a weakness because they create sexual tension. Think of how much less interesting the story would have been if the Phantom had shown up and Christine had flat out rejected him. Then he would just be this creepy old man who cannot take no for any answer. No---the story of the Phantom is compelling precisely because Christine feels a powerful attraction to him that competes with her feelings for Raoul. At the heart of the tale is the war which rages inside Christine between her reason (which sees Raoul as the better match) and her dark desire for the deadly Phantom. I will not tell you how it ends, although I knew the ending before seeing the movie just from word of mouth and knowing about the stage musical, and chances are most people who have not seen the movie do too.
Final word-outstanding music and lyrics. Perfect casting decisions and wonderful acting all around. Very compelling story told with fantastic visuals.
As for the soundtrack- Even though I have only heard the songs sung by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman before the movie came out, I would not dream of listening to any other version but the movie's. Unlike some people, I absolutely loved Gerard Butler's voice, which I find sexy and soulful. Granted Butler's singing may not appeal to some the most distinguishing of music critics (I am just a regular girl-not a music expert), unlike the angelic singing of Emmy Rossum, but it is not unappealing. It has an organic quality which I find refreshing. Patrick Wilson, who has done stage musicals, brings the same vocal strength to his role of Raoul as Rossum does to Christine.
There has been a certain amount of controversy about the age of the actors who play Christine and the Phantom, but I think they are perfectly cast. Emmy Rossum was about the same age as her character Christine, and Butler is more believable as a seductive "angel of music" than a much older man would be. I think that the Phantom's good looks (pre-unmasking) are a strength rather than a weakness because they create sexual tension. Think of how much less interesting the story would have been if the Phantom had shown up and Christine had flat out rejected him. Then he would just be this creepy old man who cannot take no for any answer. No---the story of the Phantom is compelling precisely because Christine feels a powerful attraction to him that competes with her feelings for Raoul. At the heart of the tale is the war which rages inside Christine between her reason (which sees Raoul as the better match) and her dark desire for the deadly Phantom. I will not tell you how it ends, although I knew the ending before seeing the movie just from word of mouth and knowing about the stage musical, and chances are most people who have not seen the movie do too.
Final word-outstanding music and lyrics. Perfect casting decisions and wonderful acting all around. Very compelling story told with fantastic visuals.