Before I look at this film I must clarify a thing: I'm an unconditional opera fan, I think its the most complete art form that exists, since it harmonizes several forms of art, namely music, theater, singing and often dancing. When its well made, opera is a feast for the senses which is only harmed by a huge and unjust elitism, blamed for the exorbitant ticket prices. So I know very well "The Magic Flute", with Mozart's music on a Schikaneder text. Having made this clarification, let's talk about the film.
Kenneth Branagh is a brave guy, it takes some courage to adapt Shakespeare to the movies and he did it more than once. So it doesn't surprise me that he had the guts to turn one of the most famous comic operas ever into a movie. Its almost iconoclastic, especially for the purists, but he did it! The film is very beautiful and the transition to the cinema didn't harm music at all. Mozart's melodies are almost all there, only omitting elements most related to the Masonic apology that Mozart and Schikaneder wanted to do. Most singers aren't famous and Rene Pape, in the role of Sarastro, is the most easily recognizable name. Personally, I think there would be no problem in betting on experienced and well-known singers, as long as they were prepared for the demands of film work. The work of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe also deserves a note of congratulations.
Anyone who knows the original libretto immediately realizes that the context and environment of the story has been totally changed: action no longer happens in a world of fairy tales, but during a war, clearly inspired by First World War, but this raises a problem: some characters never properly fit into this environment, as the Queen of the Night. There was also an effort to make the story more politically correct, as the original opera is, sometimes, racist and misogynist. Don't blame Mozart for that, it was the mentality of people back then. Even so, these changes have made some characters meaningless. This is what happened to Monostatos who, in the original opera, is a Muslim from North Africa, portrayed according to the prejudices of that time.
In the midst of some flaws arising from the changes made to the environment in which the story takes place, the film is very enjoyable. Of course, Mozart's music will always be the element that will draw people to watch it, but personally I think its also an interesting way to awaken for the opera some people who, otherwise, would never have the curiosity to give a chance to this beautiful art form.
Kenneth Branagh is a brave guy, it takes some courage to adapt Shakespeare to the movies and he did it more than once. So it doesn't surprise me that he had the guts to turn one of the most famous comic operas ever into a movie. Its almost iconoclastic, especially for the purists, but he did it! The film is very beautiful and the transition to the cinema didn't harm music at all. Mozart's melodies are almost all there, only omitting elements most related to the Masonic apology that Mozart and Schikaneder wanted to do. Most singers aren't famous and Rene Pape, in the role of Sarastro, is the most easily recognizable name. Personally, I think there would be no problem in betting on experienced and well-known singers, as long as they were prepared for the demands of film work. The work of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe also deserves a note of congratulations.
Anyone who knows the original libretto immediately realizes that the context and environment of the story has been totally changed: action no longer happens in a world of fairy tales, but during a war, clearly inspired by First World War, but this raises a problem: some characters never properly fit into this environment, as the Queen of the Night. There was also an effort to make the story more politically correct, as the original opera is, sometimes, racist and misogynist. Don't blame Mozart for that, it was the mentality of people back then. Even so, these changes have made some characters meaningless. This is what happened to Monostatos who, in the original opera, is a Muslim from North Africa, portrayed according to the prejudices of that time.
In the midst of some flaws arising from the changes made to the environment in which the story takes place, the film is very enjoyable. Of course, Mozart's music will always be the element that will draw people to watch it, but personally I think its also an interesting way to awaken for the opera some people who, otherwise, would never have the curiosity to give a chance to this beautiful art form.