Opera

Rating:
Summary: one of Argento's best
Review: As a long time Argento fan, it may seem surprising that Opera was the last of his films to be added to my collection. Having heard a number of conflicting reviews for the film, I was unsure as to what to expect. I have always found something to love in all of Argento's films (even in some of his lesser works), so I knew I wouldn't be wasting my time in viewing it, but even so, for some reason I did not have exceptionally high expectations for this film. Ah, how mistaken I was. This film is gorgeous. The lighting, the camera work....I was absolutely blown away by its beauty. True, the plot leaves much to be desired, but in what Argento film is that not the case? The only thing that I found that detracted from this film in any significant way was the heavy metal soundtrack (I did love the Verdi, however, and wish that had been substituted as the soundtrack for the death scenes). I love the music for Suspiria and Deep Red, but the music here was almost as bad as that used for Phenomena. Ultimately, however, the beauty of the direction and the sheer gorgeousness of the cinematography made up for any less than stellar aspects of the film. One thing: this movie is not for the faint of heart. I'm used to Argento's violence, but this movie disturbed me more than all of his others put together. Not only was the violence itself was more graphic, but I felt that the intensity of the death scenes was far more palpable than in other Argento films, and as such I found myself having difficulty watching at times. Though I don't doubt that Argento was prompting us to experience the same visceral reactions as his heroine, if one is overly sensitive to violence, be aware that you will most likely spend the majority of this movie with your eyes closed.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Suspiria
Review: After wasting my time watching Suspiria, I decided to give Argento another chance with this film. Opera was much better, in my opinion. This film has one of the best kill scenes I've seen in a movie yet (the knife through the jaw is great)! A few slow spots, but overall, a decent and entertaining film.

Rating:
Summary: opera
Review: maybe the best horror film by dario arrgento.
i cant tell you how good this film is with out tell you all of the film
if you like sitting on the edge of your seat then this is for you

for all of you who have got sorround sound hifi then hock up your dvd put the vol high turn out the lights turn off the phone and press play

Rating:
Summary: Suspension of disbelief is not enough.
Review: ...BR>At the end of the documentary included on this disc, Argento says that he felt after completing Opera that he had made a bad movie. The documentary ends there, with no follow up to say he feels differently now or that history has proved him wrong. The reason is obvious after watching the film. On the plus side, Argento has several nice set pieces"." ... I actually like Argento's Phantom of the Opera over this, but I am apparently in the minority there. I recommend anything made prior to Opera, including Trauma and Inferno to this.

Rating:
Summary: argentized
Review: I thought this film was fantastic. The filming of it is just great. It's brutal,yet an excellent story to it. Dario Argento is a the most underrated horror director there is. I've seen all his films and each one is just great. No one can murder someone like he does. This movie is easily 5 stars plus and make sure you buy the DVD with all the extras. I bought the Double DVD,because the music to each of his films is excellent. This is definitely one opera you won't want to miss!!!

Rating:
Summary: Sadistic but Masterful
Review: One of Argento's most upsetting and violent movies, Opera delivers as a showpiece for the director's profound exploration of voyeurism. The set pieces - reminiscent of Deep Red - are willfully elaborate, and the fact that the film revolves around a staging of Macbeth adds to the typically self-conscious theatricality of Argento's vision.

Those with a strong stomach will revel in this film: it's as much a European arthouse movie as anything you are likely to think of, but sadly only the tougher viewer will get to the end.

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Surprise
Review: As one not to enjoy much of the horror from Italy i wasnt expecting a masterpiece such as Opera when i bought this dvd. I am one of the few who like this movie better than the much loved Suspiria. Beautiful photography is the true star in this movie and the story kept me interested until the end. Not your average Italian slasher/exploitation film but a true classic of the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Great film but dont buy it used
Review: I agree that this is a great film but be very careful about buying a used copy. The manufacturer has recalled copies because of a manufacturing problem which caused many of the disk to be unplayable. I bought two used and neither works. I finally just returned one to the company and finally could watch this film. Buy a new copy and save yourself alot of time.

Rating:
Summary: An Eyeful
Review: Argento's Opera is frustrating to review, on the one hand you can roll out the stock statements decrying bad dubbing/acting, ludicrous plots etc., yet the film has a grotesquely compelling hold on the viewer through enormous attention to the psychologically determined visual detail; the film opens with the entire interior of the Opera House, the key setting of the film, reflected in a Raven's eye (I won't give away the significance of the Raven).

The film is about perception and sexuality, the power (or empowerment) of the gaze, where the killer forcing the heroine to watch as he kills those close to her (by binding her in rope and taping needles under her eyelids to keep them open) relates to what Argento is doing: cinematically, forcing you, too, to watch. The deaths are brutal, vicious and unpleasant - because they're meant to shock, repulse and horrify.

The film is steeped in a psychological analysis of sexuality in the AIDS/HIV era - the acts of violence are sado-masochistic sexual acts to the killer, who is performing the murders with the misguided notion that he is doing so for the pleasure of the heroine, as he had done for a previous lover. A clear signifier is the fact that the killer's hands are not only clad in the perennial "Gialli" black gloves but latex surgical gloves too (condoms for the hands to spell it out).

I don't want to give the impression that the film is merely analytical discourse, it's there if you want it and enriches your appreciation of the film.

The plot however, as one critic has pointed out, could be written on the back of a postage stamp and the killer is ridiculously obvious, despite a couple of red herrings. Although one of the red herrings, in it's metaphorical implication of Argento himself is extremely important to understanding the message of the film.

Argento uses glorious sweeping camerawork which utilises the full cinemascope frame. There are great moments of tension, like the scene where two characters don't know whether the man inside the apartment with them claiming to be a policeman or the man outside claiming to be the very same policeman is the killer.

Contrary to most reviewers I like the ending, which I will disclose nothing about (see what you think). It is an obvious stark contrast to the rest of the film, in setting and visualisation, but is effective because of this. Absurd yes, but the final shot will linger in your mind gnawing away as you

This is not a great film, but it's moments of brilliance more than make up for the flaws. You'll never look through a door spy glass again.

Rating:
Summary: The Italian hitchcock
Review: Magnificent!....I was so Delighted when this was released on dvd. I Have been a fan since the early 80's of italian/Euro horror. PPL who buy anything from the italian film maker must buy all his films. What i liked about opera is that it reminded of The birds. If you cringe at the thought of animal abuse...then please fast-forward. There is everything a horror fan can expect. I have seen AMerican horror and Italian horror..and I think that AMericans should take a lesson or two from them. Bava,Fulci,Argento,Franco..all the best..directors. If you have no clue of what i am talking about check out also Demons or The Beyond. Opera has its moments too, especialy the soundtrack. The scenes are very terrifying, especially the part of the needles taped to the..(buy opera). The end of Opera is the surprise. It's like when you open a fortune cookie and the prize is Unexpected. Interesting plot...and of course the story itself. ALso check out the extras with Argento..its like he is in your living room. Behind the scenes, etc. This is what the magazine FAngoria has been telling us all along. BUy this film!! 20 stars+