Rating: 
Summary: The Phantom's DVD
Review: Since I've already talked about the film itself in the VHS review I'll just talk about the disc. The picture looks fine for a film shot in the mid-70's, the sound it the original Dolby Stereo soundtrack (too bad it's not 5.1 but it still sounds good in Pro-Logic II) and it comes with a trailer that's typical of it's time (pretty much, just a straight montage of clips with no narration). Over all, it's not great, but not bad either for a bear-bones disk. I don't see Fox releasing a special edition in the near future so for now I'd recommend this one.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm Sorry, But I Didn't Like It.
Review: This movie is a strange spinoff on The Phantom of the Opera, with a rock twist. It is totally different from the origional story, and I just didn't care for it. Actually, I thought it was a bit of a joke. There is no way I would wast money on buying this movie. I saw it once on TV, and that was enough!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie?
Review: Since most everything has already been said here, there's not much room left to add any original input. I first caught this in its theatrical run back when I was 14. Fox released it almost simulatneously with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Phantom appeared at the time to be the clear winner at the boxoffice, even though neither film performed that well. But while Rocky untimately took on a life of its own and made cult movies accessible to the general moviegoing public, Phantom slipped even deeper into its own world. For me, however, it became my favorite movie. I fancied my then girlfriend to be my Phoenix and somehow found identity in Winslow (I suppose I was every bit the idealitic, nerdy music geek he was...)I still cannot get my friends to sit through the film, which is fine; I always felt a personal bond with this film, so the fact that it's dismissed by my contemporaries merely strengthens that embrace. Although I'd already picked up VHS copies back in the 80's and 90's, obtaining the DVD meant so much more, for obvious reasons. I was quite impressed with the striking print used here, so a big thumbs up on the visuals. The sound is fine on my TV speaker, but I have no way to comment on its hi-fi presence. I suppose my biggest disappointment is the false claim of the theatrical trailer. As a collector, I'd obtained the actual trailers used for this film during its original theatrical run. Both the regular and teaser trailers were breathtaking pieces of work. Even the TV spots packed a punch. The poor excuse for a trailer on this disc is an abomination! It doesn't even remotely resemble a trailer. Rather, it is a handful of clips spliced together into a boring, incoherent mess. Any would-be editor using cheap PC software could slop together a more impressive effort. No care taken whatsoever, which is consistent with the complete lack of extras. As the internet has proven, there is a loyal legion of Phantom fans that would have given their all to have their collections preserved on this release. And what a perfect opportunity for a commentary track! This is DePalma's best work and yet we get no insights from him, nor any of the wonderful cast. Either Fox doesn't give a damn or they plan on milking the cow later down the road with a "Special Edition" release. That way, every fan will end up buying the DVD twice. Including me. (sigh) It's still in my Top 5 all-time favs; that list has no order, so it's possible that it remains my favorite film.
Rating: 
Summary: FAUST MEETS GLAM-ROCK MEETS DE PALMA.....
Review: I just re-watched "Phantom of the Paradise" again and it's every bit as entertaining as it was when I saw it in 1974. Only now, of course, it has that bittersweet nostalgic edge to it. It reminds us what a brilliant talent Brian De Palma was when the 70's were hot times. A mix of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Faust", it follows "Phantom" fairly close bringing the Faust legend in as both the stage show Swan (Paul Williams) is trying to get off the ground and as a plot element where Swan has sold his soul to the devil and persuades others to join him.
Swan is an evil megalomaniac music producer who wants to open the ultimate rock club---the Paradise. He needs the right music for the opening and finds it in luckless songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) from whom he promptly steals it. He has poor Leach sent to prison on a phony heroin charge and opens the Paradise with Leach's updated pop contata "Faust". When Winslow hears the news he breaks out of prison, dons a costume and begins terrorizing the Paradise (getting his face scarred in a record press in the process). Film introduces the lovely Jessica ("Suspiria") Harper as soulful singer Phoenix who captures the heart of Winslow and the greed of Swan. Swan wants to make her a star (and take her soul). Also there's Gerritt Graham as queeny glam-rock idol Beef, who Swan sets to star in "Faust". He practically steals the film hands down with his hilarious performance. "Phantom" works as a satire, musical, horror film---all rolled into one. The performances are good, the music (by Williams) is good, it's fast-paced and very colorful (the costumes are great) and it's an eye-filling extravaganza. Sissy Spacek is even credited as set dresser---her husband Jack Fisk also worked on the film. De Palma even uses split-screen at one point (as he would do in later films). The DVD is very well done. It looks and sounds wonderful. No fancy extras...just the theatrical trailer. For those who want a good look at the real 70's, this is the ticket. For those with fond memories of a gaudier era, here it is. And it's recommended very highly. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: OH MY!!
Review: Holy phreaking COW...I first saw this movie a week ago (because I am a Phantom phanatic and I'd cringed from it long enough!) and I must say I was PLEASANTLY surprised to find such an interesting, hilarious satirical take on the rather gothic love story. It was definitely original and in my opion is right up there with my other phave cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. I highly reccommend this film and, as something I plan to do this Halloween, tie your phriends to chairs and make them watch it! They'll thank you after they stop beating you senseless...if they manage to escape!!! *maniacal laughter*
Rating:
Summary: Another of my favorite sleepers
Review: When I saw this on the big screen as a teenager, I thought it was fun and enjoyed the music. Then a few years later, I got a copy of the soundtrack (nominated, btw) and it became one of those favorites you dig out now and then. Some of the tongue-in-cheek songs are fun. The romantic ballads are great (as romantic ballads go). Jessica Harper's sultry, husky voice is quite enough to stroke any boy/man's ego. It does for us guys, what Elvis or Donny Osmond does for the ladies. And to top it all off, a really great "hate" song ("Good for nothing, bad in bed, nobody likes you, you're better off dead, 'Good-bye!', We've all come to say, 'Good-bye!'") done in a lilting, taunting tempo. Just the ticket to dredge up when someone ticks you off. Then, years later, I bought the VHS and had mixed reactions. It was great to relive the experience, and it's a fun adventure. But the music in the movie is a shadow of the studio recording. So see the movie, on tape or DVD, at least once to have the visual and musical experience. Then get the soundtrack and get to know it. Listen to it now and then, and soon you'll be intimate with it. Paul Williams put a lot of creative juice into this and it would make a terrific stage show, it's definately got the tunes.
Rating: 
Summary: The movie's great, the DVD isn't
Review: Other reviewers have told you that the movie itself is a cult classic, entertaining and brilliantly funny in its own way. That you don't need to be told. What you need to be told is that the DVD itself is not very good. The transfer of the picture is muddy and the soundtrack, especially Paul Williams' inspired and entertaining music, is equally disappointing. Furthermore, the "extras" are pathetic. The trailer isn't even a trailer - - it's a mishmash of clips from several scenes, with little coherent thought put to their selection or their order. The name of the movie is never displayed or mentioned. There are no actor or director bios, missing scenes, or even production notes. The disc does include trailers for other films from the distributor, including Phantom's more famous rival, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". This movie has a larger following than many realize, and calls out desperately for a special edition DVD with interviews or commentary of director Brian DePalma (it's his first feature length film), Williams and Jessica Harper (the heroine Phoenix) at the very least. A stage version, which nearly came to life in 1988, would also be welcome. Tragically, we'll likely never see either come to pass.
Rating:
Summary: Swan's Songs
Review: I first experienced this wonderful film as a (sneak?)preview in Westwood, CA, before its general release. There were (at the time) the de rigueur preview questionaires to be filled out after viewing the film. I specifically remember a question: Do you think this film is: (a) a horror film; (b) a musical; (c) a drama; or (d) a comedy? I checked them all! And so it is. As things stood in the 70s, this was de Palma's way of educating us about (not only the recording industry but the film industry and, perhaps, society in general as well) the nature of (western civilized?) man. It seems he had a lot to say. All things considered, it's a HOOT! -- visually, auditorily, and (most importantly!) thoughtfully. You'll probably not be able to rent it anywhere, so you might as well buy it -- but then, you'll have many good times sharing "The Phantom of the Paradise" with your friends (and enemies?).
Rating:
Summary: An excellent rock opera with outstanding music
Review: Here is a movie that was made way ahead of it's time. Call it a musical, call it a rock opera. The movie is filled with music from beginning to end with every song enhancing the mediocre story. I compare the excitement and music in Phantom of the Paradise to a toned down version of the 2001 adaptation of Moulin Rouge. Something most critics do not mention is that most of the songs have a common bond with the premise of the selling of one's soul to the devil. This is tastefully done and can be seen even in the first song "Goodbye Eddie, Goodbye" where the lead singer offers to kill himself in order to become a musical legend and use the money for a life saving operation for his sister. Ok, it sounds a little corny, but is well done and sets the stage for Faust. Faust is the song written with Johan Faustus in mind. Although not mentioned with detail in the movie, Johan Faustus was a German who existed in the 16th century. He is best known for selling his soul to the devil in return for pleasure and power during his remaining mortal life. In order for the contract to be valid, he had to sign it with his blood. The movie farcely shows what musicians and performers really have to do for the recording industry in order to have a chance at being famous. I loved the music in the movie enough to immediately go out and buy the soundtrack. For being virtually unknown, this is a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: As a "Phantom" version...
Review: It wasn't that bad, I actually liked it a lot. I'd heard a lot of things on the Net saying "Don't see this movie it's awful," "A disgrace to the Phantom premise" and the like. Really, it was pretty good. It included the 'Faust' storyline and for that I was thrilled to pieces. Also, if you're interested in seeing some of the worst lip-synching ever you need to look no further (that's what lost this movie the last star).
A should-see for any Phan.
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