1- Butler’s voice just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe in a different musical, but I much prefer the Broadway voices for the role. Michael Crawford, Ramin Karimloo, John Owen Jones. I think any of those actors would have been GREAT in a film adaptation, but they went with a Hollywood star. Yeah, Gerard is talented in other roles-but for the role of the Phantom, the most famous MUSICAL in modern time (in my opinion) why cast an actor who has no operatic training? Patrick Wilson sounded good- he probably had the best voice in this film.
2- The deformity make-up was awful. The Phantom is meant to be ugly under the mask-WHY skip the most important part of the character? They really should’ve done a Dark Knight two-face approach? THAT would’ve been amazing. I mean, the entire plot hinges on the deformity. He’s shunned by society because of his face-and yet in the film, it’s a mild sunburn. It really takes the power out of the Stranger Than You Dreamt It scene.
3- I LOVE the orchestral score. Listen to the end credits after “Learn to Be Lonely” My god! It’s amazing! The overture? EPIC! Just perfect. The way the chandelier bring us back in time? Very nice.
4- The sets are dazzling. They remind me of what a grand, sweeping epic should be. Big costumes, big chandelier (the chandelier crash was actually REALLY cool!) I didn’t mind them moving it to the finale. It works for a film.
5- MOST of the costumes were very good. Christine’s gown was spot on, as was Raul’s outfits and Carlotta’s. Even the Phantom himself had a nice wardrobe. Apart from the Masquerade scene? What was up with that little white mask? Why not a full moving skull mask? Maybe a technical reason? I think it could’ve worked.
6- The black and white scenes were very nice, I actually like how they cut back and forth between the past and present. Revealing Christine’s tombstone at the end. Very tragic and nice touch.
7- I like how during Think of Me the audience sees a glimpse of the Phantom entranced by her voice. SO well done. Nice camera work.
8- The All I Ask of You scene on the roof with the rose? Really nice. I love the little flutter of snow.
Conclusion: It’s a shame that this is how I feel the movie is. I feel like it DID have potential. It had a great source and some really good elements-but overall, I just was underwhelmed. And during Phantom- I want to feel emotional and overwhelmed. I want to feel the power in the voices, get sucked into the story. I hope one day a new Phantom movie comes (non-musical maybe?) and can at least somewhat do the story justice for a new generation.
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