I did not want to see this film. For the record, I was forced to see this film, like most men who have seen this film.
The movie's about very pretty young people with great hair bursting into song. For two hours and twenty minutes. Yes, this movie is over two hours long. Way more than any musical to film adaptation should be. Director Joel Schumacher, the man who created the Bat-Tit, must not understand that people, like me, do not want to sit through a musical that's two hours and twenty minutes long.
But does PotO really need a film adaptation? Based on the musical that's based on a movie that's based on a book, the movie probably does not resemble the original novel by Gaston Leroux. The supposedly sinister Phantom is more handsome than scarred, what with his loose white shirts. Heck, Phantom's gellin', for God's sake.
But let's face it, this is nothing but Andrew Lloyd Webber cashing in on one of his most popular musicals, so he can buy a new summer home. The movie offers nothing exceptionally new, except for one new song that's only used in the end credits. So if you're a fan of the musical, this movie is sure to be your cup of tea without the risk of being offended by someone's originality.
As for me, this is a typical musical: a pretty story told with pretty songs that seems to suck all of the gruesome reality out of the story. It takes great effort to take a story of a deformed stalker and turn it into a fanciful piece of fluff that this movie is. D+
1 comment:
Wow- you are merciful- a D+?! I thought for sure it would have an F! It is a lavish and beautiful adaptation of the musical, so it's nice that audiences who haven't been able to see the long running show from the '80s can now see it on film, but the casting isn't too amazing beside Ms. Rossum- Christine. It's hard to feel bad for the Phantom who isn't old and doesn't really look "disfigured." On the plus side, Raoul seems to have more character than just the handsome, rich, charming, slightly stupid character that is the foil to the Phantom's role.
If you want a real gothic thrill- try reading the book-
Too bad Michael Crawford didn't get to be in the film adaption.... or that may be a good thing!
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