"; if(is_file("header.php")) include "header.php"; else include "../header.php"; ?>

AMAZING! Why didn't this get nominated for picture? This was my first time experiencing "The Phantom of the Opera". My mom owns the tape of the original stage version with Crawford as the Phantom, yet I hadn't heard this amazing music before now. I'll basically explain the story in modern day terms: a deformed man trains a young girl to sing beautifully, then falls in love with her. Then she basically gives him a one night stand in his lair and runs off to marry Raul, her childhood sweetheart. The Phantom was the real victim of this film, no matter how evil and disturbing he acts. Gerard Butler, who was in a rock band and starred in smaller roles, brings the Phantom alive in this film. In my personal opinion, he does a better job of portraying The Phantom then Michael Crawford did. His singing may not be great, but it's the emotion in his voice that will literally hypnotize you. You feel the tremble in his voice when he's sad, the anger when he's enraged, and the romance when he's sensually trying to whoo Christine. Speaking of her, Emma Rossum gives a great performance as the star of the opera. Her voice is amazingly beautiful. Raul was the one I hated most in this film. While his voice is amazing, the character seems like an arrogant punk compared to the more adult Phantom. The film itself left me speechless all the way through. It's obvious that The Phantom was supposed to be the real star of this film, and that doesn't bother me at all. In my opinion, he's a character people can relate to. The sets and wardrobe were all just amazing. Basically, check the film out. It's worth it and I think it's one of the greatest films I have ever seen!