Director Joel Schumacher, no stranger to visual spectacle, seems to have found a good match in Lloyd Webber's larger-than-life vision of Gaston LeRoux's Gothic horror-romance. His weakness is cuing too many audience-reaction shots and showing too much of the lurking Phantom, but when he calms down and lets Rossum sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" alone in a silent graveyard, it's exquisite.

DVD Features
The special edition of The Phantom of the Opera has two major extras. "Behind the Mask: The Story of The Phantom of the Opera" is an hourlong documentary tracing the genesis of the stage show, with interviews of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Harold Prince, producer Cameron Macintosh, lyricists Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart, choreographer Gillian Lynne, and others. Conspicuously absent are stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. Both do appear in video clips, including Brightman performing with Colm Wilkinson at an early workshop, and Crawford is the subject of a casting segment. Other brief scenes from the show are represented by a 2001 production. The other major feature is the 45-minute making-of focusing on the movie, including casting and the selection of director Joel Schumacher Both are well-done productions by Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group.

The deleted scene is a new song written by Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart, "No One Would Listen," sung by the Phantom toward the end of the movie. It's a beautiful song that, along with Madame Giry's story, makes him a more sympathetic character. But because that bit of backstory already slowed down the ending, it was probably a good move to cut the song. --David Horiuchi

More on The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera (Special Extended Edition Soundtrack) (CD)	The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack) (CD)	The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) (CD)
Evita (DVD)	Andrew Lloyd Weber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration (DVD)	More Broadway DVDs

So why risk bringing such an incredibly successful live show to the silver screen, when Hollywood musicals have never done especially well? The answer, in this case, is simple. The Phantom is a musical about the power and passion of music. Where so many musicals are a telling of a story set to song, Phantom instead uses the songs to advance a narrative story about a deformed genius who teaches an exceptionally gifted chorus girl to sing. The music works becuase, as with most musical, it does advance the storyline, it also serves as underscoring to set tension, mood, romance and horror throughout the story, working more like a very effective movie soundtrack than musical score. Combine this element with a story that contains all the goodies that make Hollywood blockbusters great: romance, horror, action, suspense and of course, epic storytelling, and you have a package that can't help but be successful on the big screen.

Many fans of the musical are troubled by the casting of the lead parts. Gerard Butler, a veteran screen actor, will done the mask and vocal parts of the Phantom, whose character was originally developed for Broadway superstar Michael Crawford. Relative newcomer, Emmy Rossum will take on the demanding role of Christine Daae', a part that Lloyd Webber wrote specifically for (now ex) wife Sarah Brightman. The use of this newcomer in this film is a calculated risk, but as the part of Christine is that of a woman who is relatively unknown, her involvement in the project might add a degree of believability to her character.

The supporting cast is surprising as well. Many of Hollywood's respected names are on board for this film in parts that are, at least in the stage version of this film, far smaller than the roles of Christine and the Phantom. Miranda Richardson will play Madam Giry, and Minnie Driver will play the part of Opera Diva, Carlotta.

The strength of this cast will be based on its ability to perform many of the productions demanding numbers. Speculation has been circling that Andrew Lloyd Webber had been working on a sequel to his successful film, but it is now believed that the film version of Phantom will, in fact, contain the numbers that he has previewed at select concert venues in the past couple years.

Directing this film is Joel Schumacher, whose name is synonymous with some of Hollywood's most successful films (St Elmo's Fire, Flatliners, 8mm, Phone Booth to name only a few). His ability to create atmosphere and tension is second to none, and he should provide a vision to this film that will give it a vitality that will equal the spectacular stage direction origianlly given by Hal Prince.

This film is scheduled to premire on December 25, 2004 nationwide.


a greatb broadway show got 10 times better on film!   February 19, 2005
 27 out of 29 found this review helpful

bravo to all involved from the great cast, to the editors, director, cinematographer, etc. that list goes on and on-they have created a musical triumph that in time will defy all others to even come close to compete! a beautiful, unforgettable movie masterpiece, that upon it's conclusion, the audience responded with tears and a thunderous round of applause! it is great; having seen the show 2 times on broadway, i was very doubtful that hollywood could succeed-but succeed they did-splendidly! one awesome piece of entertainment-once seen -never forgettable-it will truly haunt you and stick in your mind forever! i'm ordering the special edition myself and cannot wait wait until may to own it on dvd! trust a stranger here-it is astounding. BRAVO.......