DVD Pick: "The Phantom of the Opera"

It was quite a few years ago that I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Los Angeles Music Center, and I remember having a good time. When the film version finally came out in 2004, roughly two-thirds of the reviews were negative, including many that were scathing, and I never got around to seeing it on the big screen. But now "Phantom" has been released on DVD, and although it was with trepidation that I sat down to watch it, I have to say I ended up thoroughly enjoying myself.

Did I like "Phantom" as much on DVD as I did on the stage? Of course not. But it was a lot cheaper and more convenient to watch it at home, so I don't think comparing these two ways of seeing it makes sense.

And what about the criticisms that Lloyd Webber's music can get tedious and the movie is overblown? I basically agree with these charges, yet I still found the film highly entertaining.

The movie version of "Phantom" is visually dazzling: the sets, costumes, and cinematography knocked my socks off. The three lead actors are physically attractive, they do their own singing, and their vocal skills are reasonably good. Although the story is a bit weak in terms of narrative drive and character development, the strength of the film is its ability to create mood, atmosphere, and spectacle.

"Phantom" boasts no big-name stars, but I think nearly all of the singer-actors give good performances. The outstanding cast member in my opinion is the teenager Emmy Rossum, who plays Christine. Her screen persona captures the notion of innocence, and she has a sweet singing voice. She is excellent in performing numbers like "Think of Me," "Angel of Music," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

Patrick Wilson portrays Christine's love interest Raoul. He sings well, but I thought he was a little on the bland side. Still, when Rossum and Wilson sing "All I Ask of You," it's a fine moment.

In the film's title role, Gerard Butler is handsome, he doesn't look ludicrously age-inappropriate for Christine, and he can convey a menacing demeanor. I think he comes off rather well in numbers like "The Point of No Return." But to my way of thinking, his vocal power is no match for that of Michael Crawford, who is famous for playing the Phantom on stage. I believe this makes this key character a little disappointing in the movie, particularly in the number "The Music of the Night".

Continued on the Next Page: Different Versions of "The Phantom of the Opera" on DVD and Bonus Materials