[Erica]

Just saw this on cable.

What was the general consensus re the movie? I thought Christine was fine, and Raul, but I thought the Phantom was lacking. I'm not one to pine after Michael Crawford, but I would have preferred someone who sang a bit more like he did the part. The Phantom they got seemed to be more of a rock opera Phantom, complete with imperfect rock and roll voice.

I'm trying to think of the person who did the theme song on one of the ALW collections... Jerry something... started with an H... Hadley? It was like that.

There was something about Crawford's voice that was both quirky and more operatic which fit the character better I thought.

What say y'all?

[Rumpleteazer4760]

The first time I saw the movie, I didn't care for Gerard Butler's Phantom. I thought he was a bit too...well, normal. He's grown on me since, but he's still not my favorite.

[Aimee]

I saw it for the first time last night, on tv, and was shocked at how appalling his singing was at times... most especially at the bit after 'Say You Love Me' where he is just roaring, badly out of tune.

I thought all the characters were completely one dimentional and lacking. I liked Carlotta best, but then I have a soft spot for her anyway, she gets a rough deal.

[Fantine]

I've decided that I like this film, no matter if I twitch at some sounds that the actors/singers make, I still like it. I'm a sucker for Christine and Raoul romantic scenes. I love them in this film.

[Aimee]

I like the film too but it's not as good as it should have been. There is a lot that is great about it and I especially love the Tatanic style going back in time at the beginning, even if it is a copy of James Cameron's work.

The thing I like best is that it concludes by explaining what happens to Christine at the end, that is, she lives happily with Raoul for many years but was still 'loved' by Erik. The show doesn't tell you what happens and I always wondered.

[griddlebone_girl]

i read/heard somewhere (i forget where) that with the movie phantom they wanted a 'rougher' voice. This phantom may be a musical genius but he never had any musical training, its just what he's learnt from the opera house. This works in a movie, its a bit more realistic (if you can use that word when talking about Phantom of the Opera), but it wouldn't work in a theatre because of the kind of voice needed to carry a lead. Does that make sence? I know what i mean

[enkeli-kitten]

Personally I like Gerard Butler as Phantom. He's much more likeable and easier to sympathise with than Crawford, actually has some sexual appeal (which does make the whole Christine thing more feasible) and he has a nice voice. He's not out of tune! He wavers a bit off-key after Say You Love Me, but definetely not "roaring badly out of tune". I think Emmy Rossum's technique is bad (she sings like an untrained kid although her sound is nice), but the male leads are fine. In my opinion. No offense to other people's opinions intended!!!!!!

[griddlebone_girl]

i'm not saying he's out of tune, you have no idea how long i argued about that with people when the movie came out. I'm saying he can sing but he's not got a voice that would work live in the show.
And i love Gerard Butler, i agree he's very very sexy as the phantom but thats not what the phantom is about. He's supposed to be malformed, not your typical male lead (which is why no matter how much i love Antonio Banderas (and i do) and no matter how good a performace i think he could have done, i'm glad he didn't get the part).
I've seen Phantom in london and the guy playing the Phantom, Earl Carpenter, wasn't your typical sex symbol but by the end of the show i was very attracted to him just becuase of the character, the way he acted and his voice. What i'm saying is the Phantom dosn't need to have visual sex appeal to be a good Phantom

[Aimee]

[Fantine]

[SimplyElymas]

I believe that, as phans, there is one thing that we need to face. I say this with love towards the homosexual community. (Said SimplyElymas, the bisexual girl.)

Joel Schumacher is gayer than a tree of monkeys on nitrous oxide. He began his career as a costume designer. The aesthetic look of the PotO movie - Masquerade or Il Muto, for example, is gorgeous. Twisted Every Way comes to mind as well.

But Joel was so caught up in his attraction to the character of the Phantom that the Phantom lost his mystery. He became a human.

(And a human who couldn't sing too well, either. I don't buy the 'untrained under the Opera House' argument, partly because I thought that the Freak Show plot twist was utter BS. The voice should represent the Phantom's soul. Do not screw with that voice.)

I do, however, like Stefanie_Bean's interpretation of him. Not sure if she's here, but she's a regular over at phantomoftheopera.com and phansonline.net. Smart lady, that one. I'm too tired to outline it, but she definitely makes him more fully realized as a character.

As to Emmy Rossum - Jesus Christ, woman, close your gaping mouth! Her singing was gorgeous (but I'm a Sarah lover ) but her acting was horrific. You do notice, though, that when she's in scenes with Patrick Wilson, his good acting begets her good acting, and she gets far better.

By the way, I loved Patrick Wilson. Granted, though, the hair was unfortunate.