The Phantom of the Opera Review

Phantom of the Opera
Actors: Gerard Butler (The Phantom). Emmy Rossum (Christine Daae) Patrick Wilson (Raoul)
Year: 2004.

While I love both the play and the movie, this review will be centered around the 2004 cinema production, due to the fact it is more accessible to you. Since it would be months until the play reaches your city, if ever. The Songs are listed as such: (".....")

Story - The Story starts off as an auction is taking place in the dusty, abandoned Opera Populair house. Lot 665 is put up for auction, just as and old man in a wheelchair rolls in. The Item for sale is a musicbox with a persain monkey on the top. The old man and a women named Madame Giry get in a bidding war over the item but the old man wins. As he is enjoying his victory, the auctioneer announces lot "Six-hundred and Sixty Six. "The Chandelier from the affair of the Phantom of the Opera, a mystery never fully explained. It has now been refitted with electricity." He pauses allowing his assistance to pull back a sheet coveing the chandelier. "Perhaps a little illumination will scare away the ghosts of the story." The Lights snap on and the Opera Populiar is restored to its appearance in 1870.

During the production of the lastest Opear, Hannibal, the Opera Populair is visited by two men Mousier Andre and Mousier Firmin. The are announced to be the new owners of the Opera House, and ask the female lead, Charlotta, to sing for them. During the performance, the back drop mysteriously falls on Charlotta, causing her to quit. The Opera is going to be canceled, but one of the dancers in the background claims she could take the part, since she has been taking lessons. Mousier Andre ask who, to which she responds, "I don't know his name". She ends up getting the part singing ("Think of me").

After the show, the Phantom of the Opera confronts her ("Angle of Music") and takes her away to his lair ("Phantom of the Opera"). It turns out that her old boyfriend is the Opera House's new sponsor and the Phantom tries to keep two away from each other. Christine gets into more players before the Phantom crashes one of them and isn't heard from until the New Year's Eve Party. ("Masquerade") There he confronts Andre and Firmin with a New Play, Don Juan Triumphant.

You'll have to watch the movie to know the rest. I love the story (even if it is 3 hours long). 9/10

Songs - All of the songs were good, most of which were reoccurring throughout the show

The Phantom of the Opera - The Chilling song sung by the Phantom and Christine while traveling to the Phantoms lair. "And though you turn from me, to glance behind. The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind."
Angle of Music - Christine reflects on her father's passing, and her newfound talent. Also the Discovery of the Phantom. "Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!"
Masquerade - A huge song sung by the guests of an over the top masquerade party. "Masquerade! Paper Faces on Parade."
Think of Me - Christine's first song. Sung as part of the play Hannibal

I love this movie so much. I can frequently be seen (or heard) whistling the main theme or singing (as low as my voice can go (which is pretty darn low)) the Phantoms Parts. I give this movie a 9.7/10. I encourage you all to see it. Remember,

"The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind"