The Phantom of the Opera: Movie

ASUADPi · #1 12-22-2004, 09:16 PM

So I just saw the movie version today and I LOVED it.

Now I have seen the stage play like six times, so I knew that it would be different. What I loved though is that it kept to the stage play. Same sets (just grander for a movie), same feel and everything. It was amazing.

The actor who played the Phantom was awesome!!!

I bawled my eyes out (and I do cry during the stage play).

So to those out there who have seen it, what did you think? To those who want to see it GO NOW AND SEE IT.

PureGoldF2K1 · #2 12-23-2004, 12:14 AM

From TheOnion.com:

Psychiatrists Treating Phantom Of The Opera Viewers For Post-Melodramatic Stress Disorder

http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4051&n=1

ASUADPi · #3 12-23-2004, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PureGoldF2K1
From TheOnion.com:

Psychiatrists Treating Phantom Of The Opera Viewers For Post-Melodramatic Stress Disorder

http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4051&n=1

OMG that is too much! LOL.

I may have cried but I'm definately not feeling PMSD. LOL.

tunatartare · #4 12-23-2004, 12:39 AM

I just saw it and I LOVED it. Of course, I bawled like a baby. Coming from me, that says a lot because I tend to be a cynic at romantic movies and don't cry at anything. I've seen the Broadway version twice and own the soundtrack and will probably see it again over break. I loved this movie so much! May need to go see it again...

AGDee · #5 12-23-2004, 01:44 AM

I'm so glad to hear that real people are loving this movie. My daughter has been wanting to see the theater production and I simply cannot afford it, so I will take her to see the movie. I have the soundtrack as well as a Michael Crawford CD with many of the songs and she loves the music.

My co-worker today was forwarded several bad reviews by the "critics".

Add that to my list of things to do next week with the kids!

Dee

ASUADPi · #6 12-23-2004, 11:20 AM

AGDee: The next time Phantom is in town check to see if they do discount tickets the day of the performance. I know here in AZ at Gammage the theatre (for certain productions and Phantom is one of them) will sell the tickets super cheap because they want a full house. For example, the tickets I bought for my mom for Christmas cost me 70 bucks per ticket. If the theatre does the discount day of sell I might get them for 30-35. I know at Gammage they did specials for students (now I'm not sure if it was for all students since Gammage was on a college campus) but you could ask.

Also, if you know how far in advance Phantom is coming to your theatre you might be able to save the money up. Theatres will usually announce their "upcoming" season in around June. For me, Phantom isn't on their "season" schedule, it is a "bonus" show and I got a postcard in the mail letting me know about it a year in advance.

Ignore the critics. There is a critic here in AZ who I don't think has ever seen the stage version so because he hasn't seen the stage version he really "didn't understand" the movie and why the characters were doing what they were doing. Dummy. (Can you tell I don't like critics.

)

Taualumna · #7 12-23-2004, 12:29 PM

Phantom played in Toronto for 10 years, and I've seen the show twice myself (once with my mom and another time with my entire grade.), so I'd like to see how the film turned out. It's in advanced screening here right now, and from what some of the audience members have said, it isn't as "magical" as the stage production. I'm going to see for myself next week (or whenever I get the chance to go)

AChiOAlumna · #8 12-23-2004, 03:08 PM

I saw the movie last night and LOVED IT!! I saw the show 6 times over the last 11 years! I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was so true to the musical!!!

Minnie Driver (Carlotta) was hysterical and we stuck around for the credits and saw that she was the only one who didn't really sing....that means you have a VERY talented cast!!!

It'll definitely be a DVD purchase when it comes out!!

RioLambdaAlum · #9 12-23-2004, 07:47 PM

i got to see it on broadway in new york now i gotta go see it in the theater. i love phantom so i am sure i will like this.

AChiOAlumna · #10 12-26-2004, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrownEyedGirl
Did she not sing in the film? I know she recorded a new song for the soundtrack; it was played in the end credits.

I should clarify...she sang the song during the credits, but did not sing the operettic part of Carlotta...another woman (whose name is mentioned in the credits, but I cannot recall at this time) sang the actual part of Carlotta.

The song Minne Driver does sing during the credits is beautiful and up for a Golden Globe as well!

ASUADPi · #11 12-26-2004, 01:23 PM

The singing voice of Carlotta is Margaret Preece (I cheated and looked at the movie soundtrack, which I own).

Minnie said in an interview that she didn't feel comfortable doing operatic, especially since she couldn't reach the notes (I believe she would be considered an alto, at most second-soprano. So in no way could she reach the first soprano notes required for Carlotta's singing roles).

FYI: The soundtrack mentions taht Margaret Preece plays the "confidante". Now I've seen the movie twice now so I'm not quite sure what that role is, but she's in it.

Oh another tidbit of information Gerard Butler was in the movie Timeline. Totally didn't know that until I went to imdb.com. I just knew he looked familiar. LOL.

Senusret I · #12 12-28-2004, 12:47 AM

I saw one of those HBO preview thingies about this flick and it looks really good!

Will I see it in the theater? Probably not! But I look forward to the DVD/cable showing.

ASUADPi · #13 12-28-2004, 01:18 AM

Speaking of the DVD, I read on videoeta.com that estimated release month is April 05.

I have a feeling it might be a bit later than that though due to the fact that the movie won't be released nationwide until 1/21/05. (Boy am I glad that Phoenix was one of those pre-release cities).

DeltAlum · #14 12-28-2004, 10:59 AM

I haven't seen the movie, but thought I would bring a minority report to the table.

Our son, the aspiring Broadway Actor, absolutely hated it -- particularly the voices of some of the leads.

I guess after hearing the Broadway and tour voices, the ones (especially the Phantom) in the movie just didn't stand up for him.

Granted, he's a Musical Theatre snob. On the other hand, if I had produced the movie, I might have been tempted to go for Michael Crawford and Sara Brightman (the former Mrs. Andrew Lloyd-Webber). That is provinding they aren't too old to walk and sing at the same time.

ASUADPi · #15 12-28-2004, 11:45 AM

Well I know Micheal Crawford is in his 50's. I love MC but I think he would have been a bit "too old" for the role. And as for Sarah Brightman, I personally cannot stand her voice, but I just recently bought the tribute to Andrew Lloydd Webber and SB did the Phantom songs and she in NO WAY can do the role. She was screeching to reach the high notes. On the DVD you can tell that she is pushing herself to reach the "C" and that she was struggling. Her voice changed to a Mezzo-Soprano/Alto, so she really just couldn't do the role. Also, I just learned Christine is supposed to be 16 (didn't know that) she could have never passed herself off as a 16 year old.

I think it's interesting that your son hated it, but I can see why.

I've seen the play 6 times now and I loved the movie. Maybe it's because I didn't walk into the movie expecting them (the actors) to sound like MC and SB. Because every play I've seen of Phantom, each actor has been completely different. Some Phantoms were Basses other were Baritones. Each Christine was different. They all just added their own personality to the role and made it their own. Which is what I know that the actors would have had to do for the movie.

My brother and I were actually debating about why they didn't just cast the stage actors and what needs to be reminded is that just because a person can do stage doesn't mean they can do film. I took an acting and tv class in college and it was the hardest class I took. Acting for an inanimate object that gives you no information or critique is hard. Stage is instantanous gratification. Plus, I learned that the camera doesn't "love everyone" (didn't love me). With that said they had to find people that could sing, act and do film.

I own the soundtrack and they started casting the principals in February of 2003 (filming did not begin until November 2003).

I'm just a plethora of information

(LOL) j/k.