Review of The Phantom of the Opera (2004) by Chris W — 30 Jun 2012

The sets, costumes, staging, and camera work are pretty good, but I think that Schumacher was the wrong choice as far as directing goes. I'm not one who thinks everything he does sucks, but still, this doesn't fit in with the rest of his filmography. There's nothing inherently wrong with trying to branch out though; it helps to do it well though, so let me just be kind, give this a "Gentleman's C" (or slight C+), and call it a noble failure.

Emmy Rossum is quite attractive, and has some actual singing talent, so that helps the movie, and, even though I applaud Butler for trying his best to do his own singing, I must say that it doesn't work. He can't really pull it off. I mean, it is difficult part anyway, so even though he's so-so with the acting, his faults with the music kinda bring the rest of it down too.

Perhaps this may find success as a camp classic? It certainly has all the trappings for it, no doubts about that. If you want a great movie musical adaptation from the 2000s though, stick with Sweeney Todd.