What’s a musical, romance, drama, and thriller all in one? The Phantom of the Opera. There are many versions of this movie, but the best is Joel Schumacher’s take on it. He based it on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ideas. About thirteen years ago (2004), this masterpiece hit theatres. I watched the movie on Netflix for the first time just a month ago. However, before I watched the movie, I read the book –which was published about 107 years ago (1910) — by Gaston Leroux, and this motivated me to watch the movie. I’ve seen two versions, the 1925 version and the 2004 version. The modern one was noticeably better because it wasn’t black and white or silent. It explained the Phantom and Christine’s past. I was informed of the things I always wondered about. The older version left me in wonder, and the recent version filled me in. Honestly, there’s no point of even watching other versions they’ve made of The Phantom of the Opera; they can’t best the 2004 version.

The movie is about an opera singer who has to choose a suitor. Christine has become the focus of two men through her performances at the Opera House. They both have much to offer and intend to marry her, but only one of them forces that commitment onto her: the Phantom, her teacher. He is a disfigured, troubled man who has loved her ever since he first heard her sing. After teaching her how to sing –making her career successful– in return, he wants her hand in marriage. People believe he’s a ghost, though he’s not. He “haunts” the Opera House where Christine performs, making her the lead in every role offered by any means necessary. Carlotta (another opera singer) is always interfering with Christine’s career, competing with her for the lead. Carlotta was at first already the star of the show until the help of the Phantom came along stealing her thunder.  He ruins everyone’s chances –except for Christine’s– of getting a lead role. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. The Phantom hopes Christine will repay him with the love he’s never known because of his damaged face. The other suitor, Raoul, gets in the way of things and is nothing like the Phantom. He’s always watched her perform and has gotten close enough to be her friend, but he wants to be more than that. Throughout the movie, the Phantom struggles to prevent Carlotta and Raoul’s advances. Is he able to remove these obstacles, and who does Christine choose? Watch the movie to find out!

The main characters include Emmy Rossum (Shameless) as Christine, Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Patrick Wilson as Raoul, and Minnie Driver as Carlotta. My favorite character is Gerard Butler. He plays his role very well and his voice isn’t so bad either. However, he didn’t win any awards. Emmy Rossum was the only main character who won awards (4) for her hard work. She is my other favorite character, she inspired me to start singing opera, though I don’t think I’m anywhere near as good as her.

Out of five stars, I would rate this movie 4 ½. I didn’t like the ending because it’s sad –which I will not reveal– and it took too long to get to the point. The movie is two hours and twenty-three minutes, but it’s worth watching. Despite the fact it was a movie, there was more singing than talking, which I didn’t necessarily mind. I loved every song that was featured in the movie, but my favorite song’s include: “Think Of Me” performed by Emmy Rossum, “The Phantom Of The Opera” performed by Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler, “All I Ask Of You” performed by Emmy Rossum and Patrick Wilson, and “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” performed just by Emmy. This is a movie to watch around Halloween: it’s not scary, but it’s ominous.  

-Gabby Lindo

If you cannot stand hearing opera music or watching musicals, then do not watch The Phantom Of The Opera. Save yourself! Although it’s a classic, it’s boring.

To sum it up, it’s about a madman who is portrayed as a ghost or phantom in an opera house where Christine sings her heart out, touching the Phantom’s heart with her voice. Christine was already in love with someone else (Raoul), but he still kept his hopes high. All the Phantom ever wanted was love, and he hoped Christine would give him just that. There are many versions of books and movies based on the original one of Phantom Of The Opera– by Gaston Leroux in 1910. I read the version of the book by David Bischoff, I watched the very first original movie version, and I watched the worst one yet by Joel Schumacher. Truthfully, I don’t like any of the versions of The Phantom Of The Opera. I really don’t like opera, classical, or instrumental music. In my opinion, they’re uninteresting, boring, and dull — the concerts, music, and movie put me to sleep. But for those who, on the other hand, enjoy that type of music, then you would definitely enjoy the movie.

The music was good. However, the last version of The Phantom Of The Opera in 2004 was the worst; for countless amount of reasons. For example, I do not like anyone’s singing in that movie. Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom’s voices were just awful. Also, it was very long and had a bunch of unnecessary scenes in it. For example, the extra scenes with a woman named Carlotta were not needed. However, the old movie in 1925 was okay, mostly because it was very sad; the Phantom died feeling unloved.

I could go on listing the bad things about the movie, but instead I’ll say at least two good things. It was very emotional and upsetting. The Phantom was made to be a spectacle his whole life. He was laughed at because he was ugly; his face was disfigured. The movie was a little slightly humorous as well, but just a chuckle here and there. Overall, the movie, in my opinion, was really annoying and terrible.

-Sarah Lindo