Well, after seeing people's comments on here about who should have played christine...I just had to give my input!! I should first say that I absolutely loved the movie!!! I thought they did a beautiful job on focusing more on the conflicted romance in the story than the murders and the phantom's disfigured face (as past movies have done). However, while I don't think that emmy rossum was the best christine daae (I agree with you all on that - although I think she did a decent job), I do not think that Sarah Brightman would have been the best either.
Now before you jump on me for saying that, let me explain to you what my perspective is. I have no doubt that sarah was probably amazing in the theatre production of the phantom of the opera because she can project her voice beautifully and, just visually, she has great movement and she looks great to begin with. However, she lacks a few of the smaller qualities which are needed for movies. For example, you will notice when she sings that she either shows very dramatic expressions on her face, or no expression on her face. I have seen her in quite a few events and she seems to rely on dramatic make-up quite a bit (all of which is typical for stage actors because you need dramatic makeup and big expressions with you face because people ar the back of the room have to be able to see those expressions).
The problem is that for movies, this is the opposite of what you need to be able to do. For movies, they do not want big expressions but rather subtle movements with your eyes and subtle expressions that can portray a world of meaning. Now, I don't claim to know what srah brightman can and cannot do, but I can say that even when I have seen her in interviews, she doesn't seem to portray these subtle emotions etc. So, I guess I am just trying to say that before you shoot down the movie or emmy rossum completely in favor of sarah, maybe consider the reasons why they might not have wanted her - maybe they just didn't have the time to wait for her to make the transition from stage to movie actor and learn about those differences??!!

It was so obvious that the lead role was written for Sarah Brightman's voice...and Emily Rossum couldn't hope to come close. She didn't. Acting and singing were generally bad, though it was a visual stunner. Pity.

First off I'd like to state that I did enjoy this movie. It was a beautiful piece of work with an allstar cast, but as much as I like Emmy Rossum, she cannot compare to Sarah Brightman. Jacob was ignorant enough to state that Ms. Brightman could not enunciate well onstage and finds Ms. Rossum "easier on the eyes". If that were the case, then Sarah wouldn't have been the ORIGINAL Christine Daae to begin with. Enunciation is incredibly important in theatre, so its clearly something you know nothing about. Sarah Brightman is gorgeous and talented and to say something like that would be quite typical of the male mind. I hope you come across this. Any more comments, feel free and email me, I'd be happy to enlighten you.

I just bought the Phantom of the Opera recently, and have watched it numerous times in the week I've owned it. It has taken top billing over all my other movie collections. It is the most, heartbreaking, sexy movie I've ever seen. It had such a believable story line and such depth. All the actor's came off so sincere. Minie Drivers' character Carlotta played such an important part in the movie. I loved the part with the people holding the fans on the steps, as well as the beat of the drums. That had to have taken a lot of rehearsals in order to get synchronized. Thanks to you all for your dedication. It is a great movie and took and still takes me, to a fantazy land of love, something I've never been blessed to know. Wishing I were Christine. If I were, I'd have chosen the Phantom, for his passion,love and devotion he had shown her. What eye candy, he is. His facial expressions as well as Christine's were superb at the exact moments. They portrayed such convincing characters. I have a question, are they a couple by chance and where are they now ? WOW, what a movie! When I caught Minie Driver mouthing her part, I was extremely disappointed and then wondered whether Rossum, Butler and Wilson had too. I'm happy to know after logging on this site, that they hadn't. It would have been better, if they'd have edited Minnie's shaking her hand out towards the audience as it caught her not mouthing her part. All the same I would give this an excellant rating if I were a critic. What a great movie for all time !

phantom of the opera

at last you will see andrew lloyd webbers
classical masterpiece the phantom of the opera
the motion picture immortalised now on dvd
gerard butler (300) delivers the best performance as the tragic phantom in this iconicaly dark tragic love story and emmy rossum (day after tommorow) gives her best
as christine the phantoms love interest
with other best performances by minne driver
(the riches and goldeneye)and simon callow (four weddings an a funeral)
the phantom was legendary played by michael crawford the movie has
many great set pieces and the wardrobes are eligently stunning it
reminds me of the darkly computer game devil may cry that style
of neo gothic architecture and the phantoms liar reminds me of
the darkly comic book film v for vendetta the phantom of the opera
is great and has a plethora of effects aplenty the phantom of the opera
will have cult following for generations to come 20/10
frankie smales
(frankie smales movie & tv review uk)

I saw the stage production twice and will say that Gerard Butler has a stronger voice and a magnetic attraction that made me want to go to the dungeon with him.

The movie "Phantom" touched me in a way the stage version couldn't possibly stand up against. The emotion in the actor's eyes, particularly Gerrard's, were incomparable. I am, honestly, disappointed in everyone who disapproved of Gerrard's voice. He has a superb operatic voice and tenor quality, that i'm in disbelief of those who call him inadequate or "rock and roll". Thos people are obviously Michael Crawford fans who refuse to accept a "second" Phantom of the Opera. Gerrard Butler was amazing, and the entire movie was a heart-breaking and amzing masterpiece. Five stars and a warm spot in my heart.

I cannot believe you people who don't like Gerard's voice! Were you even listening?! In every song, in particular "Music of The Night", he hits the highest of notes with a beauty and perfection equivalent to Michael Crawford at his best, if not better. I can't believe you try to call him rock and roll. He's one of the best tenors i have heard in 40 years. Stop being so one-sided.

A couple of days ago I heard Michael Crawford's performance of the Phantom and I really cannot understand why people prefer him then Gerard Butler. Michael has a good voice, but it is somehow tiny, not exhibiting enough internal strenth and impact. He sounds like a well-trained opera singer and like a person who is happy with the life he leads. While in my opinion, the Phantom must be much more of a tragic figure, deeply torn by internal contradictions. And of course, experiencing deep infliction. That is what I hear in Gerard's voice. While Michael's phantom seems to live an undisturbed and somehow trivial life. Which is not the main idea, I suppose. Sorry, micahel fans, but the Phantom has a strong character and that must be reflected in his voice as well.

I must say that although i have not seen the original, i own the sound track, and this new film version is better in every way. I was amazed to learn that all of the actors sang their own parts. Emmy Rossum was unbelieveable, and Gerard Butler wowed me with his good looks and even better voice. Minnie Driver probably couldn't move her mouth because of too much botox and such, so dissapointingly, she was simply lip synching. She was also slightly over the top! Roaul was brilliant as a singer, but his appearance could use a little work (although i must admit that he looks great with wet hair!)Overall, this film version of the beloved Broadway Classic is Phantastic, and i own the movie (and, of course, watched it aboiut thirteen million times). Definately my favorite!

I must say I do like the movie and I think that the actors did very well, but when I heard the original casting the feelings for the movie turned a little cold. First we have Gerard Butler. He has got a lovely voice but If you read the book he's not supposed to have rock'n roll. I just think his voice doesn't fit for the phantom. The acting on the other hand was amazing and He is sexy. Emmy Rossum sha has a very good voice indeed but she's not to compare with Sarah Brightman. althou I think that Emmy's voice suits the role of Christinte better. the rest of the cast is ok. And even if I don't think Gerard's voice is the voice of the phantom it doesn't mean he didn't do a very good job. But I'll always prefere Michael Crawford as the phantom of the opera

I enjoyed this film very much. Gerrard Butler was wonderful in his role of the Phantom. He played this part with so much feeling that it made the film sad and one could really amagine the Phantoms despair. Emmy and Patrick had lovely voices but Gerrard Butler for me stole the film with variations of singing to display passion, depair, anger, and frustration. I cried when he cried and wanted Christine to love him, however I thought when she kissed him I wanted to slap her, she said beautiful creature of darkness, god give me the strength to show you ,you are not alone. Then she kissed the Phantom , enough I thought to change anyones mind of a life with her. But it was wonderful . Humour with Minnie Driver in her pink beautiful costume and she called the Phantom a toad and he called her one.The Phantom sent a note to the manager and asked him to send him money in the post care of the ghost that made me laugh.

Joel is a great producer. I loved the song At the point of no return. I could sense the passion between the Phantom and Christine on stage it was great.How could anyone have walked out of the cinema which I read, that showed lack of amagination feeling and no taste. Lets have more films like Phantom please.

I am So obsessed wit hthis film like a normal phatom fan would be it was absolutely stunning and Emmy out did herself as christine she was amazing she had great screen prescence and her voice was angelic and gerard has to be the best phantom ever he filled out the role real good....I love love love this film it is my fav movie of all time great film

EXCELLANT job done by all!! I thought the Phantom's voice was good. He most certainly was a SEXY phantom. I had goose bumps at the end, when he sang "Past the point of no return" I was going to jump in there after him and go underground if she didn't. lol.I have watched the movie at least 7 times this weekend. Loved the costumes, loved the scenery, I also loved that the story finally came together for me and that I understood all the story lines that I missed at the play version.
The time at the graveyard with Christine visiting her father. Never got that on the stage. I thought she was trying to find the phantom. Loved it all! Minnie Driver had me laughing and injoying the Diva Song. I Fell asleep when it was on the stage. ten thumbs up!

I loved Phantom of the Operah, no movie has ever made me feel so involved!