I just saw it this afternoon. The movie is, in a word, perfect. Or almost so, at least.
It was not Hollywooded, thank God, and the vision stayed true. At first the singing felt awkward, but the power of the music draws you in. It was brilliant. My only objection is that some lines I felt should have been sung were spoken and vice versa. And when speaking, Raoul had an American accent that felt rather out of place.
I particularly like the man who played the Phantom. I've heard worries his voice is not intense enough. Don't worry; he captures the role, especially the poignancy.
They did it. They really did it. Buy tickets now.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I plan to see it, I'm glad it's good! Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Just make sure you don't ever watch Dario Argento's version. I rented it recently and it is truely AWFUL! It makes no sense at all and is not even a good slasher film. Even though I love Asia Argento I might not watch the last 20 minutes.
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
I've never seen this in film, just live performances. About 4 times I think.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I saw this this afternoon with my brother. It is indeed perfect.
The casting was excellent, and Christine is heartbreaking. I was shocked to see Minnie Driver as Carlotta - does anyone know if she did her own singing? The music fills you up and twirls you around, and the visuals are worthy of it. It's wonderful, and during the love scene on the roof I started crying hard enough that my brother thought I'd lost it. I loved this. I was so afraid to see the movie, in case they screwed it up, but they didn't. Go see it, and take someone you are fond of.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
I love it !!! This one of my favorite movies !!
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
No. She's the only cast member who didn't do her own singing, but she just released her first album. . She did sing a song (Learn To Be Lonely,) during the credits, however, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I'm going to see it today!
*happy dance*
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Hm. Critics have been savaging this film due to what they say is its dripping melodrama and blatant excess. Has this simply not been your experience, or did you like the film -- and the stage show, for that matter -- because of its melodrama and excess?
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
I'll be seeing it soonish, I want to see it for my birthday, in fact it was the only gift I wanted... for the past few months, as of yesterday I realized I really needed a ram upgrade. >_<
But, I want to see it, my friends stare at me because I'm a fourteen year old who doesn't like today's artists and would much rather go to a preformance of Phantom of the Opera over a Metallica concert anyday. ^_^
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
It's still so funny to me to hear people liking Phantom. Everyone I knew in NYC loathed it and all of the music and musical theater people I know had a burning hatred for it. They hated it more than Cats even. I'm not a fan myself, but Emmy Rossum seems much better than Sarah Brightman from what I've heard in the commercials.
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
It's just not posh like Pirates of Penzance, is it.
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
Heh. I'd rather see Sweeney Todd turned into a movie.
Course, I'd just like to see Sweeney Todd again. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
What's the rating? Is it okay for a child? Particularly a child that both enjoyed and was thrilled-horrifies with the old 40's version?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I saw it today. It would be suitible for a child; it's not remotely frightening (and I am easily sent quivering behind a couch or a piece of clothing).
It was very good, it was worth the money I spent on it, it was a pleasant afternoon, but it didn't grip or transport me except for the opening sequence, which was splendid, and masquerade which was also a sight worth watching.
I can't really say anything else without spoiling it, and I don't want to nitpick in a praise thread, so that's all I'll say. It was very good, but not... gripping.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Cool! Thanks, Teshi!
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
A child might be more frightened than I was, but it's really not a thriller in any sense of the word.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
well Tom, it is melodramatic, but since that was the whole point, it wasn't a bad thing. I liked it, but then, I was expecting melodrama.
and Mrs. M, people hated it more than Cats??? Wow. I didn't think that was possible!
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Yeah, they have a certain affection for Cats that is noticeably lacking for Phantom. I don't know why.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
(Last I heard, they're working on making Sweeney Todd into a movie. A rumor that Hugh Jackman might get the title role has circulated a bit here and there...)
[ December 29, 2004, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Narnia ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
I saw Phantom of the Opera on saturday.
I LOVED IT!
I was kinda expecting it to be full of boring opera music, but I really enjoyed the music.
quote: I particularly like the man who played the Phantom.
I went with a few friends and we all said "Wow, he's that hot and you can still only see half his face!" But then he took the mask off...
Movies and books hardly ever make me cry, I think I've only cried over one or two movies. Phantom of the Opera was so good, I had tears streaming down my face by the end.
The only thing that they didn't do a really good job with was her boyfriend's character (I don't remember his name). He just seemed a little blank, and just thee to fill in a role, they didn't really bring out his character much. But maybe that's just me.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
Le fantôme de l'opéra 'll begin next wednesday in France. I'll go after job, i think. I hope the movie have the same atmpsphere than the old french TV serie I have seen when I'm a little boy. I have shivers... Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Sweeney Todd is a movie. Or at least a recorded stage show.
[ January 04, 2005, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: Teshi ]
Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
I adored it. I was annoyed that they moved the chandelier scene, and had to change lines because of it. I went into it expecting that scene to not be as impressive anyway.
Ni!
Posted by Ben (Member # 6117) on :
the few voice majors i know all seem to loathe Andrew Lloyd Weber's musicals because they feel his compositions are murder on the vocals. from what i understand his work manipulates the voice in ways it was not meant to operate and seemingly causes long-term damage as a result. that may be why alot of music people have a low tolerance for Andrew Lloyd Weber's work. just hearsay from my friends. i dont know the first thing about vocals.
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