Phantom of the Opera coming to the big screen! I can't wait!

[I Heart Disneyland!]

Anyone else out there as excited to see Phantom (on screen) as me? I love, love, love Phantom of the Opera, the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I've seen it several times on stage. The previews look amazing, and if they can pull this off on screen, it will be awesome!!! It opens the 22nd, I cannot wait!

[kbanmen]

I love Phatom as well..have seen the play 4 times so far...3 times in canada and once here in LA..I didnt even know it was coming to theatres (I havent seen the adds on TV), until my mom who lives in canada told me about it..I will be there to see it of course

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I love Phatom as well..have seen the play 4 times so far...3 times in canada and once here in LA..I didnt even know it was coming to theatres (I havent seen the adds on TV), until my mom who lives in canada told me about it..I will be there to see it of course

I didn't know either until I was at Bridget Jones with my stepdaughter and the preview came on. I was all goosebumps as they played the music really loud and the chandelier swung out. Oh my gosh! I hope it's as good as I hope it to be!

[kbanmen]

It will be I am sure..the music always puts tears in my eyes..I play my CD over and over again..THink its almost time to get a new one..

[Maus]

I also want to see this film. It's been nominated for a Golden Globe already so the buzz is very positive. I think they made the right decision to go with relative unknowns. I've seen it with four different lead actors. Each one puts a different spin on the character. I think the movie will actually have dialog!

[cstephens]

I've been very concerned about the film ever since I heard that Joel Schumacher was directing it as I *hate* Joel Schumacher as a director. From what I've seen of the look of the film from various publications, it does look like he at least did a good job with this one, so I'm looking forward to seeing it. The concern that I still have, though, is with the musical performances. I bought the movie soundtrack a few weeks ago, and while I like the girl who plays Christine, and I kinda like the man who plays Raoul, I really dislike the man who plays the Phantom. His rendition of some of the songs is just ... well ... wrong. Some of the songs have been changed somewhat, and I'm totally OK with that, but his voice does nothing for me, and considering the Phantom is supposed to get so much of his power and control and pretty much manages to seduce Christine because of his voice, that's a huge problem for me. Some of his renditions of the songs sound more like they belong in a "rock opera" version of the film. And his voice and the voice of the man who plays Raoul just don't go together at all.

And I completely don't understand why they cast Minnie Driver as Carlotta. I like Minnie, but she's the only person in the film who DOESN'T SING HER OWN SONGS. I can't imagine that she adds that much to the film that it's worth making her an exception in that case (I hate the bits of her dialogue that I've heard from the CD - her delivery just seems wrong), and I don't believe for a second that they couldn't find someone who could handle the acting *and* the singing as well.

So I'm looking forward to seeing the film - I'm just hoping the singing works better when married with the visuals than on their own.

[Maus]

I really dislike the man who plays the Phantom. His rendition of some of the songs is just ... well ... wrong. Some of the songs have been changed somewhat, and I'm totally OK with that, but his voice does nothing for me, and considering the Phantom is supposed to get so much of his power and control and pretty much manages to seduce Christine because of his voice, that's a huge problem for me. Some of his renditions of the songs sound more like they belong in a "rock opera" version of the film. And his voice and the voice of the man who plays Raoul just don't go together at all.
Oh, no, this is terrible news. I agree that his voice should be pure power and seduction. If it's not the film will lose much of the play's impact. Michael Crawford in other roles or in his own stage show doesn't do anything for me, but his voice, as Phantom--pure sex appeal.

[Shinku]

Michael Crawford *snip* as Phantom--pure sex appeal.

WORD. I've seen him in person as the phantom (at the Pantages (sp?)) several years ago and oooooh girl.....That man made my spine melt.<3 :p ;)

[I Heart Disneyland!]

WORD. I've seen him in person as the phantom (at the Pantages (sp?)) several years ago and oooooh girl.....That man made my spine melt.<3 :p ;)

Have you seen him in Hello Dolly? He was SO dorky! I agree about him in Phantom, he was awesome!

[stan4d_steph]

I saw Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom. He kicked booty and has a higher range than Crawford. At this point they probably figure he's too old to play the Phantom I guess.

[ModHatter]

The sad thing about this Phantom film is indeed the director. Among other things, he ruined Batman (and consequently, Batgirl!) and I just don't know if putting another iconic production in his hands was such a brainy choice. I'm actually hoping, regardless of the success or failure of this film, they do what they have done with Cats, and film the actual stage presentation. The show had so much magic as a live performance...

Michael Crawford was the ultimate Phantom for me. Have heard the other recordings, not impressed. Of course, here in LA, I actually saw it twice with Rober Guillaume. The first performance was not so inspiring with him as the Phantom, but the second time, he had improved dramatically, and I thought he did a great job. Ironically, I remember this was just a week or two before his last performance, as Michael was coming back to the LA production...

[cstephens]

The sad thing about this Phantom film is indeed the director. Among other things, he ruined Batman (and consequently, Batgirl!) and I just don't know if putting another iconic production in his hands was such a brainy choice.

Well, I always hated the gothic medical school in "Flatliners", but at least gothic would work with "Phantom". And I actually really liked "Phone Booth" in spite of him being the director.


Michael Crawford was the ultimate Phantom for me. ...

Even though I never saw him in "Phantom" (I saw him when he came with "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber"), he was for me too - until I saw Ron Bohmer (http://www.ronbohmer.com/) in a production in Washington D.C. and then again when that same production came to L.A.

[Maus]

Michael Crawford was the ultimate Phantom for me. Have heard the other recordings, not impressed. Of course, here in LA, I actually saw it twice with Rober Guillaume.
I saw it first with Robert Guillaume--very evil portrayal--though I enjoyed it very much. Then I saw it with Michael--those hands! wow, so sensual, making the character much more sympathetic. I also saw it with Davis Gaines--kind of a cross between the two. But Michael IS the Phantom, but alas he's now too old for the role for today's young audiences.

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I saw Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom. He kicked booty and has a higher range than Crawford. At this point they probably figure he's too old to play the Phantom I guess.

I always think of Colm Wilkinson as Jean Val Jean. Ahh----I also LOVE Les Mis. (That movie, on the other hand, SUUUUUCKED!) :p

[I Heart Disneyland!]

The sad thing about this Phantom film is indeed the director. Among other things, he ruined Batman (and consequently, Batgirl!) and I just don't know if putting another iconic production in his hands was such a brainy choice. I'm actually hoping, regardless of the success or failure of this film, they do what they have done with Cats, and film the actual stage presentation. The show had so much magic as a live performance...

Michael Crawford was the ultimate Phantom for me. Have heard the other recordings, not impressed. Of course, here in LA, I actually saw it twice with Rober Guillaume. The first performance was not so inspiring with him as the Phantom, but the second time, he had improved dramatically, and I thought he did a great job. Ironically, I remember this was just a week or two before his last performance, as Michael was coming back to the LA production...

Mod----really? Robert Guillaume....you mean BENSON? :| Not sure what I think of him as THE Phantom. I see him as comedic, and as, well, Benson! Boy, give me Michael Crawford any day as the Phantom, I really loved him in the role on stage. I really doubt they will have any of the live performance in the movie, though, I would love it. :) We shall see...only 5 days til I can go see it. Maybe 6, since I work on Wednesdays!

[lisap]

Then I saw it with Michael--those hands! wow, so sensual, making the character much more sympathetic. I also saw it with Davis Gaines--kind of a cross between the two.

I saw it with David Gaines and Michael Crawford too. :) I had a friend who was obsessed with Michael Crawford--she would wait outside the stage door regularly. Nevermind that she was in her early twenties--he was it for her. I never really got into the whole Phantom thing. Les Miz was the play of the 90s for me. :) But I'm interested in seeing the film version--this Christine sounds lovely.

[ModHatter]

Mod----really? Robert Guillaume....you mean BENSON? :| Not sure what I think of him as THE Phantom. I see him as comedic, and as, well, Benson!

That was totally my take before hand too. And like I say, his first performance wasn't all that. But yes, he played it less seductive, more Svengali-ish. powerful, and the second time, he really did make a good impression.

Of course, it is a little like watching Wolverine do Curly from Oklahoma. Between that and Boy from Oz, I'm wondering if people have kicked themselves about Mr. Jackman not being Phantom...

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I'm wondering if people have kicked themselves about Mr. Jackman not being Phantom...

I'd heard, probably a year ago, that Antonio Banderas was being considered for the part of the Phantom, in the movie. Not sure how I feel about that, but, loved him in Evita as Che'. (I loved that movie, I'm sorry, but, I just DO!) In fact, the stage version that came to Seattle, of Evita, wasn't even as good as the movie, I was so disappointed. Madonna played Eva Peron better than the gal who played the role in the stage presentation that came to town.

Back to Phantom, I can't wait to see the movie, I may feel different after seeing it! It should be interesting to say the least! :D

[Flint]

I liked Phantom until I saw it. Tossed the cassettes out the next day :-p

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I liked Phantom until I saw it. Tossed the cassettes out the next day :-p

UHHHHHHHHH!?!?! :eek: Phantom the movie? Or Phantom overall?

[ModHatter]

I'd heard, probably a year ago, that Antonio Banderas was being considered for the part of the Phantom, in the movie. Not sure how I feel about that, but, loved him in Evita as Che'. (I loved that movie, I'm sorry, but, I just DO!) In fact, the stage version that came to Seattle, of Evita, wasn't even as good as the movie, I was so disappointed. Madonna played Eva Peron better than the gal who played the role in the stage presentation that came to town.

Back to Phantom, I can't wait to see the movie, I may feel different after seeing it! It should be interesting to say the least! :D

Yeah, Antonio was excellent as Che. I liked the movie too. Yes, Madonna doesn't have the musical chops of Lupone or someone like that, but i thought she did great. I have her version of Rainbow High as inspirational music when I'm writing.

But I'm not sure how I would have felt with Antonio as Phantom. Of course, coming off Puss in Boots, and with a new fragrance he's promoting, it would have been beneficial to him and to the film... I need to reread the novel, but I think before becoming the Phantom, Erik(?) was supposed to be a bit exotic.

Speaking of the novel though, they left the ending of the play open to a sequel. But, how about a prequel? I don't remember ever seeing a film deal with the Phantom's past from the book. They could follow Disney's example by writing it for the screen, getting several songs nominated for Oscars, then producing it for Broadway. Sir Andrew, if you read this, you're welcome :D

[I Heart Disneyland!]

But, how about a prequel? I don't remember ever seeing a film deal with the Phantom's past from the book. They could follow Disney's example by writing it for the screen, getting several songs nominated for Oscars, then producing it for Broadway. Sir Andrew, if you read this, you're welcome :D

VERY interesting thought, Mod. What made the Phantom become the Phantom? I think that would be an excellent story. Did you say you are a writer? Maybe you should give Sir Andrew a call, set up a date to talk it over. ;) Have you seen Lion King on stage or Aida? I LOVE Elton John, always have, since I was 12 (1973). I have never seen the stage performances with his music. Have you? Are they amazing? He's so great, I've only been able to see him 2 times in concert, and one was ON my 40th birthday. Sorry to derail, but, when I start on Elton...I get going! ha! I know if he wasn't gay he'd want to marry me! haha! (Of course, my husband might have something to say about that!) ;)

[ModHatter]

VERY interesting thought, Mod. What made the Phantom become the Phantom? I think that would be an excellent story. Did you say you are a writer? Maybe you should give Sir Andrew a call, set up a date to talk it over. ;) Have you seen Lion King on stage or Aida? I LOVE Elton John, always have, since I was 12 (1973). I have never seen the stage performances with his music. Have you? Are they amazing? He's so great, I've only been able to see him 2 times in concert, and one was ON my 40th birthday. Sorry to derail, but, when I start on Elton...I get going! ha! I know if he wasn't gay he'd want to marry me! haha! (Of course, my husband might have something to say about that!) ;)

Never have seen any of the stage adaptations myself, unless you count Aladdin at the Hyperion ;) Have seen a lot of pieces of Lion King, and based on just the pieces, I have to give them my congratulations.

It's been so long since I read the novel... the first time I saw Phantom was when my mom won tickets, and that was probably around 1989(?) and I read the book right around then. I could be TOTALLY remembering wrong, but I seem to recall that Erik was an inventor in the Middle East, and there was some intrigue that eventually ended in murder, which was why he had to hide out. I tried to look up some of the good tidbits, but the best I came up with was that one of his inventions did make it into the silent movie version. If I recall correctly, this may have been one of his inventions in Persia, and if so, I have the title of my musical. But so you don't go stealing ALL my good ideas, I'll keep that to myself :p

[CoasterChickie]

Wow this thread is very long and I've not had time to read it all, but just wanted to add that I LOVE Phantom of the Opera even though I've only seen it once in San Francisco. It was awesome. I can't wait to see the movie and I'm hoping that it will be really good! For me, the best part is the music. They can't ruin that , can they?

[I Heart Disneyland!]

For me, the best part is the music. They can't ruin that , can they?

I sure hope not! That is THE best part for me too. The story is cool, but, the music sends chills up my spine!