Generally, I am a real purist when it comes to movies made from books. In practically every case (with an exception being PATRIOT GAMES),the books are better or at least I can't stop myself from unfavorably comparing the movie to the book. This was certainly true of the three other versions I've already seen of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. However, since this is a musical version and it was so lovely, I found myself able to let go of the fact that Andrew Lloyd Weber completely screwed up the book. It was a great book, but this is still a great film.

Unfortunately, while I can compare this film to the book, I cannot compare it to the play as I still haven't seen it. Fortunately, the songs have remained pretty much intact from the play and the only major changes, so I've been told, are the sets.

As far as the movie goes, the songs are amazing and lovely. While I am not a huge fan of musicals, I couldn't help but fall in love with the lovely songs. In particular, the actress who played Christine had an almost angelic voice and I adored every times she sang. Also, the choreography and sets were just magnificent--perfect in every way. While I loved the role played by Minnie Driver, I also read that her singing was dubbed---too bad, I would like to have heard her voice as I read she COULD sing. Maybe singing badly like the part demanded was beyond her capacity.

About the only negative I can think of is the finale--where you see the Phantom's face revealed for the first time. Despite living in hiding all those years, he only looked as if he had a bad case of acne!! What a letdown--but otherwise, it's a lovely and worthwhile film--even if, like me, you're not a huge fan of musicals.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage hit is given justice in this sumptuous film version, that benefits from stunning sets and extravagant costumes, making the attention to detail evident here. Joel Schummacher's direction is very good in this film, it is hard to believe that this is the same director who directed the disastrous Batman and Robin. The music is just wonderful, with dark and poignant melodies and motifs that fit the very dark story, not to mention sad. People have complained that the film has too much music, almost all of it is sung, but it is a musical, set in an opera house bear in mind. The performances are excellent, Gerard Butler quite terrifying as Phantom, and Emmy Rosum as beautiful as ever as Christine. I liked the performances of Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson and Minnie Driver(as Carlotta). The film does have some truly sad moments, like Christine at the grave yard and of course the heart-rending ending, though I didn't understand it when I first saw it. My only complaints are that the film is a little too long, and also in Angel of Music particularly, there were times when the lips of the actors weren't in time with the singing. Apart from these flaws, a truly beautiful film, one that is dark and sad, and one that is once seen never-forgotten. 8/10 Bethany Cox.

There have been many versions of the Phantom story over the years, some great, some not so good. This one is slightly different in that it's a film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, rather than being just another remake or version of the Gaston Leroux novel. I enjoy watching musicals from time to time and I have to say I liked this one. Obviously the quality of the songs is what makes a good musical and they're all absolutely fine here, with some wonderful breathtaking moments dotted throughout the lengthy production.

Joel Schumacher can be a hit and miss director, but he seems to have come on more strongly in the past decade, counting PHONE BOOTH and 8MM among his successes. This is one of his better films, a fine adaptation that makes good use of the genuine vocal talent of the leading actors and actresses. Emmy Rossum is astonishing as Christine, and she's ably matched by Gerard Butler as the Phantom; this is Butler in a star-making role, and very good he does too. Some overbearing supporting actresses flesh out the cast – Minnie Driver, Jennifer Ellison – while Simon Callow and Ciaran Hinds have a fine comedy double act although they just kind of disappear towards the end of the movie.

The film is shot through with Gothic sensibility and makes repeated use of beautiful visuals. The scene in the snowy graveyard is a highlight and of course the catacomb climax is another strong element. Complaints were made that the costumes were toned down for the movie but I can understand this; the camera's close up to the action rather than sitting away like an audience and bright red hats and skull masks would have become a distraction unlike in the theatre. In all, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is a solid musical and a film I enjoyed.