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The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack)
Review by Byron Kolln : Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM hits the movie screen

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been a long time in coming to the screen, but thanks to the box-office boom of CHICAGO and MOULIN ROUGE (and subsequent renaissance of the movie musical), it's finally arrived - and it's gorgeous. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicalization of the Gaston Leroux potboiler has been enjoyed onstage now for 18 years, both the London and Broadway productions still high-sellers with theatergoers. This all-new PHANTOM will be welcomed by all Phans with open arms.

This single disc edition of the soundtrack comprises all the main numbers from the musical.

Gerard Butler is a fine Phantom (though occasionally quite raspy and with an accent that seems at odds with the character and other actors).

Young Emmy Rossum is a lovely Christine, and imbues the character with all the restlessness and uncertainty of youth (the only glaring change is the simplified cadenza at the end of "Think of Me"). Her soprano voice is quite beautiful, though it doesn't reach the dizzying heights of previous Christine's like Anna Maria Kaufmann, Rebecca Caine and Sarah Brightman.

Patrick Wilson is a dashing Raoul, beautifully sung (as you would expect from this veteran of Broadway's OKLAHOMA! and THE FULL MONTY). Raoul can be a difficult role to play (in the wrong hands he can be quite weak and effeminate), but Wilson gives us a strong, stridant and powerful adversary to the Phantom.

Margaret Preece (serving as the voice of Minnie Driver's imperious opera diva Carlotta) is thrillingly-sung in the breathtaking "Prima Donna". Jennifer Ellison is a fine little Meg Giry.

The orchestra is full and rich, and serves the music well (the trademark organ motif of the Overture and swelling passages of "All I Ask of You" are superbly-executed). In their brief moments here in this `highlights' disc, Miranda Richardson (as Madame Giry), Simon Callow and Ciaran Hinds (as opera managers Firmin and Andre) are all excellent.

This new PHANTOM recording deserves it's place on the shelf next to the original cast with Crawford and Brightman..........

The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack)
Review by Tracey M. Snyder "Music Lover" : Bravo!!

To all of you who have not seen the movie in the "select" cities in which it is now playing, I have one bit of advice.. BUY TICKETS FOR OPENING NIGHT IN YOUR CITY! Not only was the acting amazing in this movie (yes, Minnie Driver was PERFECT), the music injected youth and energy into this classic production. "Christine" appeared just as she should have, naive and innocent, a fresh beauty torn between the two loves of her life. "Phantom" was not only a wonderful singer (personally I like him better than Crawford, and I had his soundtrack memorized by day 2 of listening to it!), he was very inviting in a very dark, sexy way. No wonder Christine was conflicted! And as for Raoul.. Patrick Wilson was not only hot, but expressed every pain a true lover would. One more note on Gerald Butler's voice... some people may say he doesn't have the range that Michael Crawford had, but I can tell you that I could feel his despair and suffering in every bone in my body. I am definitely purchasing this movie, as well as the soundtrack, so if you ever see a brunette blaring opera from her car and crying behind the wheel, just wave. It's me..

The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack)
Review by Jane Doe "Jane" : Phantom of the Opera

This movie was spectacular. The critics were definitely wrong. The critics kept trying to compare this movie to the old version and to the play. This is the right movie for this age and time. My children loved it! I believe, it is a classic.