Post by Soulfyre on Dec 26, 2004 3:47:21 GMT -5
If you are anything like me, you were viewing the new cinema production of Phantom of the Opera with an admixture of anticipation and dread. While Jesus Christ Superstar (great music, horrendous theology), Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (really, Andrew Lloyd Webber should stay as far away from the Bible and theology as is humanly possible), and Evita had all been brought to the big screen more or less successfully, Phantom of the Opera was almost legendary in its stage presentation. After all, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat largely cinematically re-shot the stage play. Evita was a bit more adventuresome, and I believe the casting was done fairly well (after all, Madonna really had to do very little acting). But Phantom of the Opera was an entirely different approach, hearkening back to great musicals of the past like Brigadoon, My Fair Lday, Camelot, and The Sound of Music, in which the stage plays were fully adapted to the big screen. I couldn't help but wonder if the film could possibly do justice to the stage version. My concern was unfounded.
The movie Phantom of the Opera is a must-see. The film is creatively shot, the use of the flashback is effective, and the sets were breathtaking. Of course the music was unparalleled (especially in THx), and was performed in a worthy manner by an impressive cast. Minnie Driver as Carlotta was a delightful surprise. But the story line was ably carried, not only through the music, but through the lush visual imagery and the extremely talented choreography, which was an adornment rather than a distraction. Even the fight scene, using sabres, was done realistically (unlike some of the visually impressive but less realistic fencing with rapiers done in earlier movies).
Go see this production. It is worth the price of a ticket (although I must, in all fairness, say that I won the two tickets I was able to use for this movie in a trivia contest). I believe it is rated PG-13, but only for the violence. There were no suggestive scenes. This movie will restore your belief that the truly grand musical can be brought to the big screen effectively. Now I only hope that the same is eventually done with good ol' "Les Miz'".
God bless and keep you and yours,
Matthew (soulfyre)
The movie Phantom of the Opera is a must-see. The film is creatively shot, the use of the flashback is effective, and the sets were breathtaking. Of course the music was unparalleled (especially in THx), and was performed in a worthy manner by an impressive cast. Minnie Driver as Carlotta was a delightful surprise. But the story line was ably carried, not only through the music, but through the lush visual imagery and the extremely talented choreography, which was an adornment rather than a distraction. Even the fight scene, using sabres, was done realistically (unlike some of the visually impressive but less realistic fencing with rapiers done in earlier movies).
Go see this production. It is worth the price of a ticket (although I must, in all fairness, say that I won the two tickets I was able to use for this movie in a trivia contest). I believe it is rated PG-13, but only for the violence. There were no suggestive scenes. This movie will restore your belief that the truly grand musical can be brought to the big screen effectively. Now I only hope that the same is eventually done with good ol' "Les Miz'".
God bless and keep you and yours,
Matthew (soulfyre)