Phantom of the Opera – Doriano Carta

This might offend fans of Andrew Loyd Webber and his brilliant “Phantom of the Opera” but I actually prefer the 2004 movie version of the classic tale over the world renown Broadway version starring the great Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. Insert gasp here if you must.

Listen, no one loves Sarah Brightman more than I do and I am NOT saying that Emmy Rossum did a better job in the film version, all I’m saying is that overall I enjoy the movie and the music from this adaptation more than the famed stage productions. The same applies to Michael Crawford versus his film counterpart, Gerard Butler, who did a spectacular job as the tormented Phantom. While Butler admittedly did not have the singing chops that Crawford possessed, he more than made up for it with his immense passion and powerful performance. As for Emmy Rossum, my goodness is she beautiful. To top it all off, she actually does a phenomenal job singing which was amazing. I was convinced they had dubbed her voice and only gave her the role because of her acting and visual appeal. She shines throughout.

Most of all, I love the work Joel Schumacher does with this story. It was a tall order but he more than rose to the occasion! Right from the opening sequence you just know that you’re in for a spectacular experience as the movie starts in black and white and the old abandoned theater explodes into life with brilliant lights and color as you’re transported back in time to Paris when the story took place. The whole sequence was reminiscent of the wonderful job that James Cameron did with Titanic as he brought the old ship back to life. The other memorable part for me was showing the old man who remembers the utter joy of being young and in love.

Here are some of my favorite scenes from the much underrated movie version of “Phantom”.

The trailer shows the breathtaking opening sequence which starts in black and white and transitions into color and comes to life.

Here’s the chilling “All I Ask of You” which is replete with anguish as the Phantom bares witness to the love that the woman he adores possesses for another man. Such torment.

Here’s the Phantom soon after watching his beloved Christine profess her love to another. Here’s an excellent example of what the director does so well throughout the film with the visuals; the purity of the white snow and the bright blood red of the rose contrasted against it and the stellar performance of Butler singing in extreme pain.

Here’s Emmy Singing “Think of Me”. Schumacher must have fallen in love with her for he does such a wonderful job of capturing her beauty. This scene sends a shiver down my spine.