Information about the 2004 movie adaption of the famous musical

The Movie

Review

I'll start by saying this movie is NOT a horror film, similar to the 1925 version and sequels. This is a faithful adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical. Don't let this put you off if musicals are not normally your thing, this is not "the sound of music" or "wizard of Oz". The movie tries to please everyone, with glamorous scenes, action, special effects and a good cast. The result is a musical that can be enjoyed by any age, and those who have or haven't seen the stage musical.

The sound and music used in the movie really shines. Just listening to the movie without watching it is a pleasure. Most of the music comes straight from the stage version, but with higher quality and a larger orchestra.

The set in the film are stunning and beautiful to look at, such as the stage and the snow laid graveyard. Each set is rich with colours, though this spoils the gothic/horror style of phantom of the opera. For example, instead of the phantom's lair being a disgusting cramp and wet hole, it is a shining cavern with candles and mirrors.

The special effects are nicely done, not over used and works together with the dramatic sounds. The chandelier being raised (or falling at the end of the movie) is beautiful to watch and very dramatic.

Most of the cast is British, apart from Raoul and Christine (some put on foreign accents). Each one plays their roles very well, though Raoul does seem a little wet. Emmy has a beautiful singing voice and is trained, she has sang in operas and stages before. She takes the role of Christine beautifully. Mini Driver is very amusing as Carlotta, playing up her character and adding humour. Gerald Butler as the phantom has the kind of gravel in his voice, but doesn't look the part as a disfigured person. Some of my female friends have commented the phantom is to good looking, I won't really comment on that apart from Lon Chaney looked a more convincing phantom.

Although the story deviates from the musical in some places, it is very well done. We learn of the phantom's history and how he ended up in the Opera house. The movie goes further to make you feel sorry for the phantom then the stage production does. Although this makes the phantom softer and less scary, it makes a very interesting character.

Anyone who has seen the stage production will most likely love this movie. Unlike several other musical stage to DVD movies (Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar etc) this isn't just a private showing of the stage production, this is a movie in itself. Those who have never seen the stage production, or are weary of musicals might surprise themselves with this. Top

Differences between the musical and movie

The story doesn't differ to much from the original musical story version, but some scenes are in a different order. For example in the musical Raoul and the managers plan how to capture the phantom before Christine goes to visit her father's grave. In the movie Raoul and Christine are living together when she gets an urge to visit her father's grave alone. The phantom follows her and tries to seduce her at the graveyard. Raoul comes to her rescue and after a sword fight with the phantom leads her to safety. Back at the Opera house he then plans with the managers how to capture the phantom and tries to convince Christine to play her part.

The story is told through memories of Raoul during black and white scenes in his future. He is an old, disabled man and we learn that his wife (Christine) has died. After witnessing the raising of the chandelier at the opera house, the world is filled with colour as he remembers the events that happened there. On his way to the graveyard to visit Christine's grave, several events (such as seeing a couple kiss) spark memories. Top

Movie mistakes

After her performance, Christine goes down to the chapel to light a candle for her father. She lights a match and uses it to set light to her own candle, but when the camera moves we see only one candle lit. Where did she light the match?

When the phantom takes Christine down to his lair she is wearing white stockings. She wakes up in the morning and the stockings have disappeared.

Near the end of the movie when Meg Giry enters the phantom's lair, her trousers are wet. The scene changes to where she finds the mask and her trousers are dry. Top