Rating: 
Summary: Interesting...
Review: I have to say that Erik's character was wonderful. He had all of the arrogance and sense of humor that he should have. david Staller's laugh is exactly what I would imagine Erik's to sound like. His make-up job was superb. For that reason alone any phan should at least watch this movie. It takes a moment to put aside the sets and poor music, but it's not a bad movie. the opening scene is very...interesting...but don't let it make you press "stop". madame giry's forehead may frighten you. One great thing about this version is the Persian!! yay daroga!! It was great to finally have that character after ALW got rid of him! Unfortunatley, the scene in which Christine chooses between Erik and Raoul is highly emotionless. ALW makes you cry, but not this. And the hand holding in place of a a kiss is highly unsatisfying. I, personaly, am not a huge fan of OW (other woman) stories, so I didn't care all that much for the ending. Overall, the movie is good enough. It won't scar you for life or anything, and the unmasking scene is moving. I'd say definitley watch it, but maybe you should rent it before buying.
Rating: 
Summary: a nice try
Review: I am a big Phantom fan, and not just of the Weber version, so I was excited about this. The actors were good and the costumes and sets were very well done, and be aware this is a stage production and not a movie, so it is a little different. Alas, the music was very disappointing. It seemed that everything was professional, but the music was community theatre at best. Maybe even high school (not to diminish either). But like I said the actors are very good. It is a pity they didn't have more to work with. Don't let this be the only phantom you see. I really like the Robert Englund movie. Yes it is violent and gory at times, but it has the music that this one should have had. Also don't forget Weber. His music also fulfills in ways this cannot.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I hoped
Review: A friend of mine lent this to me. I recently became a Phan, and I'm trying to get my hands on every version out there. I understood very well from the beginning that this was not the Lloyd Webber version we all know and worship. The only redeeming thing I found about this other stage version, however, is that the beginning explains more about Christine and Raoul and how they met. I thought this particular version missed the entire point of the story. I was very disappointed with the ending. The sets were very elementary, and I didn't find the music all that stimulating. Maybe I've just been spoiled with the Lloyd Webber Phantom, but I wouldn't recommend this to diehard phans who like the story the way it should be.
Rating:
Summary: It was an ok movie
Review: Well if you are an Andrew Lloyd Webber version of the Phantom phan, this movie would be an OK movie to you. The music wasn't as good as A.L.W.'s, and the voices of the characters were OK. But Sarah Brightman's voice over-ruled Elizabeth Walsh's voice, and David Staller's voice is not competition for Michael Crawford's amazing voice! The ending showed Erik as a undevoted lover to Christine. As it shows him going on to the next girl after Christine runs away with Raoul, but not in voice but in dance. OK, that was not anything like the original book by Gaston Leroux, as it is said to be on the back of the video cover! I give the 2 stars for the phantom's make-up. It's the best I've seen! Other than that, if you are an Andrew Lloyd Webber version phan dont get this video! It's a big disapointment! :)
Rating: 
Summary: As Close to the Original As I've Seen
Review: I watched the VHS version of this, and while I didn't find the music too impressive, I was still moved by the performances that Staller and Walsh gave. I would have liked to see Walsh perform Christine in the Lloyd-Webber version. Staller's version of the phantom was poignant, and I loved the fact that, as in Leroux's book, there was more of an attraction between Christine and Phantom in this version than in Lloyd-Webbers. Additionally, Christine is portrayed as being more, well...intelligent in this version. Her character is less of a wilting violet ready to run to the arms of the nearest man for safety. At one point she even engages the Phantom in a sort of philosophical debate while in his lair!
For pitchfork wielding purists, this version is as close to the original novel as I've seen. The character of the Persian is included, and many of the smaller details excluded in the Lloyd-Webber version are included here(i.e. the phantom appearing at the ball, Don Juan Triumphant never actually having been performed, the relationship between the Persian and the Phantom).
Missing was the chandelier scene, and the ending is a rather blatant departure from the novel, but given the fact that it appears they were working with a limited scenery budget, the fact that they couldn't design a mirrored room and use live scorpions is understandable.
As for the other characters, I enjoyed the humor incorporated into Carlotta's character, a sort of comic relief that is just that- a relief from the dark themes of the story. However, I was thoroughly disappointed in Raoul's performance; one was inclined to think he was suffering from strained vocal cords-he sounded like a dying cat!
All in all, I feel it has great potential, and is a must see for Phantom Phans.
Rating: 
Summary: More feeling than Webber
Review: This version of "Phantom" is by far my favorite. Although the time frame is a little messed up, the music makes up for it completely. While Lloyd Webber is fine, his version holds none of the humor and deapth of emotion David Staller gives this performance. If what the Phantom does to Carlotta at the masque doesn't tickle you, get it simply for the ending. That ending had me standing up applauding Erik. This performance was worth every cent I paid for it and then some, and I've been collecting Phantom things for some time now. I've seen every version of Phantom, including the clip from the Tony's, the Charles Dance version (which is my second favorite), the Meatloaf music video, Paul Stanley (whom I respect because he is a phan, even if he isn't the best Phantom), ect ect... and this one is still my favorite. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Raoul: "I could have been killed! What's wrong with you??"
Persian: "Oh, I am feeling fine, thank you very much."
Rating:
Summary: Best interpretation I've seen in a long time!
Review: Not bad at all, though it can't compare to Lloyd Webber. There seems to be a syndrome among Phantom movies, that causes the drastic changing of dates--this one took place in 1911, twenty years after the events in the novel, as opposed to Webber's, which took place twenty years BEFORE. But that's minor. I liked the portrayal of Raoul as sweet, innocent (more so than Christine!) and deferential to Christine's career. Carlotta was a laugh riot (it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings!) as was Joseph Buquet, and the scene with the managers and the Phantom singing together was hysterical. The masqued ball in this film is pretty plain when compared to other versions, but it suffices. Staller's performance as the Phantom was surprisingly good, however. His voice echoed whenever he spoke, and is he's nowhere near Crowford in singing, he still manages to hold his own ("Perfect Music" was the best song in the piece). I loved the silver mask, the makeup was flawless, and Staller can really act! You could see the anguish in every expression, and his hand gestures reminded me a bit of Lon Chaney in this same role. I was glad they included the Persian 'Daroga' in this version, though I was disappointed with his background (the Phantom and the Persian are not friends in this film, only antagonists). My only real problem was at the ending. There was no kiss!!!!! I wasn't as upset by the Phantom going on to another girl, though. He seems younger in this play, and much more resilient than his fifty-year-old counterparts. All in all, worth the money and repeated viewings.
Rating:
Summary: phunny phantom
Review: This is not the Andrew Llyod Webber Version. But you should know that by looking at the cover. This version instead brings out more humor than other versons that focus on horror. If you take it for what it is you will not be disappointed in the least.
Rating:
Summary: Serendipity
Review: For those who want Webber's version, this isn't it. It does, however, stand quite well on its own as a very beautiful and moving play with music that is very emotional, and in one or two cases, visceral. Elizabeth Walsh's voice is incomparable, both speaking and singing, and her acting is fresh and natural. Her Christine is quite believable. David Staller's performance is truly moving. He has managed to capture Erik's desperate desire for human contact, as well as his immature petulance and arrogance, not to mention his sense of humor and flamboyance. Mr. Staller portrays an entirely sympathetic Phantom. At times he's laugh-out-loud funny; at others the tears will flow.
Since I know of no Webber version on tape, this one is better than just a substitute. This one is phun.
Rating: 
Summary: guacala
Review: esta version del fantasma de la opera es realmente espantosa. no se parece en nada a la version teatral, no hay buena musica, buenas actuaciones ni nada. NO LA COMPREN PORQUE SE ARREPENTIRAN...
|
