Rating: 
Summary: Phantom NOT what you mind think! Buyer BEWARE!
Review: I was thoroughly disappointed when I purchased this DVD from Amazon. I have a 12 foot screen and incredible sound system, so I got a bunch of my friends together for "A night at the opera", thinking it was the stage version of the play. Indeed it is, EXCEPT - it's not the Andrew Lloyd Webber words and music. I thought it to be closer to a amateur production, with bad lighting and sound to go with it! We we unanamously disappointed and didn't get through it. It was a waste of money and shipping exspence. If this is indeed the production that you are looking for - all the more power to you, but if you are looking for the production by Andrew LLoyd Webber - Buyer BEWARE!
Rating:
Summary: a HUGE disapointment!!!
Review: How do I begin?? If you are looking for Andrew Lloyd Webber's version, do not buy this movie. If you are looking for Gaston Leroux's version, do not buy this movie. If you are looking for a good Phantom of the Opera version, do NOT buy this movie!! I was so excited when my movie arrived at my front door... When I watched it, my heart fell a hundred feet - it was terrible, horrible, disappointing. However you would like to put it. Overall, it [stunk] bigtime. Sarah Brightman is a thousand times better than Elizabeth Walsh. Do you even have to ask if Michael Crawford is better than David Staller?? Michael Crawford was a billion times better than Davis Staller. The editorial reviews stated that this movie was based on the original story. Well, they must have never read the book because it wasn't even CLOSE to Gaston Leroux's original story of The Phantom of the Opera. I highly suggest you do not buy this movie. I would even pay you not buy this movie because it's a huge disappointment!!
Rating: 
Summary: Watch with an open mind..
Review: I don't know how much I can stress the fact that this is not the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. No where on the cover does it say Andrew Lloyd Webber. His name is not mentioned anywhere in the show at all. I urge you to not watch this if you are expecting to see Sir Andrew's show because this isn't it. I am absolutely disgusted with people who have reviewed saying "This show is awful because there's no 'Music of the Night' and it's not Micheal Crawford." Of course there isn't, becuase it's not that show.
It's a good show in it's own right, although I found DS's phantom to be a little more full of himself than I would think Erik would be. A must for any phan's collection, although some purists may frown on the ending. The music is good and the actors have very nice voices, though, that is just my personal opinion.
Again: If you're expecting the ALW show on DVD, this is not for you. If you are fully prepared to watch with an open mind however, it's a really nice show.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad as a musical
Review: This version of phantom is far worse than Andrew Lloyd Webber's. I watched this one first and unfortunately the music was so boring that I fell in sleep. The lyric is also without power. Do not waste money and time on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Amateur Hour Phantom
Review: Today it is vital that "Phantom of the Opera" be about MUSIC. The Lon Chaney version is marvelous as a dramatic presentation, but a viewer does miss the music (even if they have a version with an instrumental sound track). This awful production does not have one decent or memorable song. In fact, you wish it were a silent version. The only memorable piece of music is the classical "Danse Macabre" played at the masked ball. The "original" music for this production is a waste of time. There is not one number that can be remembered even 10 seconds after is has been played. After hearing the first number, you want to grab the remote and push the "mute" button whenever another song is started.The script is unbelievably inept. Not one scene builds to a dramatic climax. They just sort of end without reason or emotion. One of the great things about any other version is that the audience is made to care about Eric (the Phantom), Christine and Raoul. The only feeling this script envokes is BOREDOM. A few scenes are mildly (and I stress "mildly") amusing, but this is the only emotion a viewer can hope for. In the novel, Christine and Raoul go off and their future is not revealed, but it is stated that the skeleton of the Phantom is discovered years later wearing the ring he had given Christine and she returned when she left. There is none of the "pick the next Miss Phantom Girl" that ends this version. Even with Eric being a monster both in looks and actions, there is a certain pity for him in all other versions. This version leaves you with a feeling he got what he deserved when Christine left. It was filmed before a live audience and even their reactions are only half hearted, applause after some scenes and songs, no reactions after others. It almost seems that the audience is in disbelief about what they are seeing. The sets are all small and cheap looking. The theater stage obviously could not accomodate decent settings. This is the worst version of "Phantom" that can be imagined. Even if you find it in a half priced bin, skip it.
Rating:
Summary: This wasn't the best I've ever seen...
Review: Well, I am a big and long time phan and this was a bit of a disappointment. Not to say that it's the actors fault. It's just the story was what did it. The sets, the music and the script, as well. The ending....well, it's not for Erik/Christine wishers. I wasn't expecting ALW's, but I thought it would be better then what it was. The actors/singers were good, but they weren't given a lot to work with.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it but don't expect Andrew Lloyd Webber
Review: Elizabeth Walsh as Christine has the potential of a fine singer but in this production has very little material to work with. David Staller as the Phantom again has great possibilities but as before the material was in my view difinitely not Andrew Lloyd Webber. However in its favour the mirror scene was excellent but downhill after that.
Rating:
Summary: ... alternate to those once elusive Bway tickets
Review: This Phantom was made just two years after the REAL Phantom arrived on Broadway, and by golly it shows. It was as though someone got to finally see the show and decided to "help" all those who still couldn't get seats. This so-called "musical" is a total ... [copy] of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work. If you've seen the London or Bway version at least once (like me--I don't count those who have seen it some obscenely obsessive number of times) you can see what I am talking about. Apparently, this version borrows more from Leroux. However, the half-mask was not described in the original novel for the Phantom! It was uniquely designed for the ALW Phantom so that the Phantom could sing better. Here, the Phantom also has a half-mask, but to try and keep from being sued, it's painted some hideous silver color. Also, this Christine lacks the emotional depth that the role on Bway has. Surprisingly, there is no falling chandelier, probably because they couldn't afford one. Probably the most obvious ...[copy] is their half hearted attempt at re-creating a "Music of the Night" sequence between the Phantom and Christine. He tries to overcome her while singing about "Perfect Music". One look at the staging and I'm surprised production wasn't shut down for total copyright infringement.
Rating:
Summary: Great disappointment enlight of Broadway Production
Review: In August of 2001, I attended the "Phantom of the Opera" production in the traveling Broadway Series from New York at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio, Texas. It was a superb performance which I wanted to remember by purchasing this video production which I assumed was close to the original. This production was totally different. The screenplay, the scenes, the storyline, and most of all the graphics were pathetic; not at all like the original from Broadway. The acts wern't coherent with the plot of the drama. It was a great ... disappointment to me and my family. Don't purchase this one unless you enjoy let downs.
Rating:
Summary: A TRAVESTY
Review: Everything about this production (singing, acting, sets, music) just screams bush league. I could not bring myself to watch this abomination all the way through. Could someone please tell me why THIS version is available on DVD, and not the Lloyd Webber version?
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