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DVD : The Phantom of the Opera (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Rating: - Awesome! A Must See
I've seen the play twice, once in Los Angeles and once in Las Vegas and both times it was powerful. It is really an amazing experience. When I saw the movie I thought it might take away from the play, but I was blown away. I've seen the movie many times and it just keeps getting better every time. The special CD that is also included, gives great background as to the making of the movie, and a glimpse of how the story of the phantom came about. It is a great love story, a tragic love story. It is in a sense beautiful and takes your breathe away.A MUST SEE.

Rating: - I loved it!
I am not really a musical kind of girl but I did love this one. I am proud to own the movie, the soundtrack and I cannot wait to go see the play again! I can't get enough of the phantom at all! I watch almost anything with Gerard Butler he is the sexiest man ever!

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Rating: - Sensual Feast with Songs for a Beast
(3.5) Going into a musical, one expects to open one's senses. Andrew Lloyd Webber, not quite at the height of his powers, gives us a few reasons to celebrate his musical brought to the screen in Joel Schumacher's rendition of `Phantom of the Opera'.

There are two main interlocking stories, and while they give one another meaning, they sometimes are conflicting to the musical's spirit. In front of the stage, Andre (Simon Cowell) has acquired the Paris Opera House. He must keep everyone happy, particularly his siren voiced prima donna beauty, Madame Giry (Miranda Richardson). She now must compete with her understudy, the equally alluring and talented, Christine (Emmy Rossum). At night, darkness takes over as she is seduced by the mysterious "Phantom" (Gerard Butler). He takes her beyond the underground of the city's sewers to his own lair. However, like the classic story, his love of beauty reaches a vengeful crescendo. The scenes where the two are together are filled with tenderness with Webber's songs truly suited for the occasion. Chills run down one's spine during this element of the movie, but compared to Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition), Webber doesn't provide this often enough.

Schumacher's careful shooting is impeccable. The camera turns in a cemetery scene are nearly flawless and the art direction is superb. The focus, lighting, and framing are what all musicals should contain. Besides the accomplished voices of Rossum and Richardson, both leading ladies have a breathtaking beauty. Matched by early performances by Butler and Wilson, the movie provides hunky handsomeness for women as well. There's a lot to look at in this beautiful film.

My main criticism is that some of the best elements are punctured by the main story. We need to see the front of the stage to appreciate the backstage developments, but some of "the show must go on" sentiments and songs go better with `A Chorus Line,' but not here. A comparison with the best musicals, including 'The Sound of Music,' 'Oliver!' 'An American in Paris,' `Amadeus,' and the recent release of 'Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' all point to a story and song venue that resonate much better throughout.

As a sensual feast, 'Phantom of the Opera' belts the best notes through the opera house; as a vehicle for the best songs and best story execution, the venue falters in places and makes all the atmospherics go flat. I fault no one for their enthusiasm for this film, but the cohesiveness is spotty due to some of it's failings.

A J.P.'s Pick 3.5 *'s=Good-Very Good

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Rating: - Beautiful film in HD
The Phantom of the Opera [Blu-ray]
The Phantom of the Opera (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The Phantom of the Opera [HD DVD]


Sadly, I never saw this on the stage. But, I used to listen to the original cast recording with Michael Crawford all the time. I thought it was great. Jesus Christ Superstar is by far my favorite by Andrew Lloyd Webber, but Phantom always ran a close second for me.

Knowing how badly JCS turned out when it went to film, I wasn't too thrilled to see Phantom on film, so I never saw it, I am very sorry to admit. I had no idea what I was missing.

However, after 300, I became a fan of Gerard Butler & I sought this out in HD: it was breath-taking. As a comparison, I listened to my old cast CD & the movie sound track blows it away in almost every respect.
Gerard Butler's voice is amazing (who would've guessed the man could sing?) & the full chorus + full orchestral sound blows the original cast CD out of the water.

In fact, I love this I first got Phantom in HD DVD and then got it a second time in Blu-ray after HD was pronounced dead. I also bought the full music soundtrack from the film.

I would highly recommend this DVD in blu-ray (or even in HD DVD, may it rest in peace).

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Rating: - almost excellent
The movie was good with the effects and all but after seeing the live performance, it was a little disappointing.

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