"The Music of the Night"...
That was the only thing the show got right. It was boring me to the core. I guess that broadway musicals should not migrate to the big screens. I had high hopes for the show being a fan of the broadway production.
It started out ok, lush back drops, fabulous costumes, perfect lighting a~la Moulin Rouge. One would expect it to be more MTV-esque if it were to be on the silver screen (though to some it would seem sacrilegious to defame the original). One could only be so dissappointed. Though true to the original, however, it lacked the ability to use the "movie magic" to its full potential. Thus making the movie dull and painfully long.
The cast was just as bad, new names with the exception of Minnie Driver who portrays Carlotta, the obnoxious Diva. Who would have thought? Bad actress turn Soprano turn saving grace of the entire movie. Emmy Russom of "The day after tomorrow" fame played Christine. Showed true emotion of the scared and confused chorus girl who grows up all too fast within the duration of the 2 hour movie. Though blessed with saccharine sweet voice, fails to live up to the powerful and spirited delivery of the original cast. Patrick Wilson, as Raoul, just the usual blonde pin-up poster pretty boy probably casted in full contrast of The Phantom. Though just a supporting role, in my honest opinion did alot better than the male lead of the show.
As all heads turn to the supposed star of the movie, the Phantom of the Opera, here played by Gerard Butler, of "Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life". He came about as somewhat momotoned, whose voice lacked the clarity and robust of Micheal Crawford, original cast of "The Phantom". He too had a slight problem with certain pronounciations and had a little trouble hitting the high-notes.
I hope to God that they didn't use their original voices for the soundtracks of the movie...
(disclaimer: Spoilers ahead)
I must add though the opening scene was great, as the chandelier was raised to mark the start of the movie, turning the set from monochrome to color. The sequence of the song "Masquerade" was enticing with the luscious back drop and choreographed dances. But sad to say that's all i could commend of the entire movie.
All in all, it was more of eye-candy than aural pleasure...
**********
Funny though how this movie has brought on a sense of nostalgia, didn't think i'd remember any of the songs , apart from the usual few from the production. However, I found myself mouthing to every song sung. It scared me how i could actually remember all the lyrics. It brought me back to a time when my entire CD collection were about musicals and sing-alongs. Those were good times, how I've grown up since then, how I've grown old since then... *sigh*
"Love me... That's all I ask of you..."
It started out ok, lush back drops, fabulous costumes, perfect lighting a~la Moulin Rouge. One would expect it to be more MTV-esque if it were to be on the silver screen (though to some it would seem sacrilegious to defame the original). One could only be so dissappointed. Though true to the original, however, it lacked the ability to use the "movie magic" to its full potential. Thus making the movie dull and painfully long.
The cast was just as bad, new names with the exception of Minnie Driver who portrays Carlotta, the obnoxious Diva. Who would have thought? Bad actress turn Soprano turn saving grace of the entire movie. Emmy Russom of "The day after tomorrow" fame played Christine. Showed true emotion of the scared and confused chorus girl who grows up all too fast within the duration of the 2 hour movie. Though blessed with saccharine sweet voice, fails to live up to the powerful and spirited delivery of the original cast. Patrick Wilson, as Raoul, just the usual blonde pin-up poster pretty boy probably casted in full contrast of The Phantom. Though just a supporting role, in my honest opinion did alot better than the male lead of the show.
As all heads turn to the supposed star of the movie, the Phantom of the Opera, here played by Gerard Butler, of "Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life". He came about as somewhat momotoned, whose voice lacked the clarity and robust of Micheal Crawford, original cast of "The Phantom". He too had a slight problem with certain pronounciations and had a little trouble hitting the high-notes.
I hope to God that they didn't use their original voices for the soundtracks of the movie...
(disclaimer: Spoilers ahead)
I must add though the opening scene was great, as the chandelier was raised to mark the start of the movie, turning the set from monochrome to color. The sequence of the song "Masquerade" was enticing with the luscious back drop and choreographed dances. But sad to say that's all i could commend of the entire movie.
All in all, it was more of eye-candy than aural pleasure...
**********
Funny though how this movie has brought on a sense of nostalgia, didn't think i'd remember any of the songs , apart from the usual few from the production. However, I found myself mouthing to every song sung. It scared me how i could actually remember all the lyrics. It brought me back to a time when my entire CD collection were about musicals and sing-alongs. Those were good times, how I've grown up since then, how I've grown old since then... *sigh*
"Love me... That's all I ask of you..."