First PHANTOM video clip up- Page 4

[kec]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:27am

"I am so sorry that I am going to spend money on this movie with him in the title role. I wish that I had devoted more time and energy into the Michael Crawford Movie Campaign when it was going on. "

Well, no one is forcing you to see the film. It's quite obvious that you are going into it with a gigantic chip on your shoulder about the whole thing, so why even bother? Why upset yourself?

It's really pointless to try and reason with people like this. In their minds, no one, but no one comes close to the man who originated the role on the stage, and nothing anyone says will sway them from their close-minded state.

"Besides, he probably devoted, I dunno, 5, 6 years to this. I've devoted 13, hands down. "

Hmmm... given the fact that the original London production opened 18 years ago, the American production followed a year or so later, plus numerous tours throughout the world, and then planning the film, I would venture to say ALW has devoted a lot more than the 5-6 years you credit him with.

"you guys who think that gerard is good must not have ears"

Excuse me... I do have ears, and I am a singer as well. My opinion -- and it's my OPINION, not a statement of fact -- I think Gerard Butler sounds fine. I had doubts when I heard he was chosen to play the role -- I hadn't heard of him before, and, then I learned he wasn't known as a singer. I DID, however, keep an open mind about what I would hear. Acting-wise, based on other performances of his that I had seen, I thought he would do fine. But when I heard first the clips on the website, and then the highlights made available through Amazon, I was surprised and pleased with what I heard. His is not a perfect voice -- not possible with only a couple years of vocal training under his belt. But he has the basics down, and in his singing I hear passion, anger and other emotions.

Emmy also sounds fine to me. I do not hear any flatness in her voice -- and I would hear it -- and her high notes sound lovely to my ears. Her cadenza at the end of Think Of Me gave me chills.

These are MY OPINIONS. I would not presume to believe that my opinions are the be all and end all to this discussion. I've seen many comments over the last week regarding these voices -- some share my opinion, others do not. That's the way life is. I disagree with those who think these voices are not good, but I won't stoop to insulting them by saying they don't know what they're talking about or don't "have ears."

Whether the film is a success remains to be seen. From what I've seen thus far, and from what I've heard, I think it will be fine. Updated On: 11/9/04 at 07:27 AM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:25am

Gearald Butler does sound mentally challenged sometimes. I can't describe it. He just sounds like that on a few parts.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:13am

I do have to agree that Gerard does not sound good enough to be believable as someone who could train an opera singer. Nor does Emmy sound good enough to be an opera singer. Both of them are pretty to look at and might be decent actors, but in a sung-through musical featuring pseudo-opera, the voices of these two characters need to be strong and on-pitch. I'll still see the film, but I do think both of them are incredibly weak vocally, but I'm not surprised it happened. Just watch Evita. One thing about Evita though, the subject of the story was not about singing, so it had an excuse.

And though I agree with SaraHIYE on this point, I don't think pounding it into people's skulls and heralding yourself as the one true expert on the subject is an effective way to discuss the topic. It certainly won't get your point across because by the time you reach your point, you've alienated everyone from caring about anything you have to say. You could have a PhD and teach the subject at Yale and I certainly wouldn't want to listen to you, even if I was a fan of the subject.

[EverythingIsRENT]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:31am

Well, i've never been a huge Phantom fan, and I really don't like Michael Crawfords voice. But, i've been interested in this movie, and I have to say, I think that clip was wonderful!!! Also, I REALLY like Gerards voice, it's rough and sexy! Just because he;s not the "typical" Phantom voice doesn't mean he can't sing. I also thought Emmy was fine for someone so young .She sounded like an innocent young girl, which seems correct to me. I think i'll have to see this movie eventually, it just looks so beautiful!

Posted: 11/9/04 at 12:41pm

they shouldnt have made this a movie anyway. i dont see the point. just because chicago found success doesnt mean every other one will. seriously, with this movie and the RENT move and the SWEENEY movie in the works...its a little overboard. leave some things to the stage.

[kec]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 12:56pm

The film version of Phantom was a long time in the making. It was supposed to be done in the early 90's but things happened -- some say the divorce between ALW and Sarah Brightman was a factor -- and it was put on the back burner. I don't think ALW ever gave up the idea to bring the musical to the screen, and it's likely Chicago's sucess spurred him to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.

Personally -- I think the more movie musicals the better. Although, as I'm not a fan of Rent, that one I could do without -- but that's just me.

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:36pm

Yah, "triumph" sounded funny. I hope this movie lives up to expectations. It's going to be tough but we'll see. Hard to compare voices when you've heard Davis Gaines and other greats sing the same songs. Phantom was one of the first musicals that got me into the whole broadway scene, so I'll always support the show. Can't wait for it to hit theaters!

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 2:01pm

*bouncing happily as have just seen clip for first time*

OOOOOOOOO.

Can't wait!! Gah. I hate this whole select cities deal- does anyone have a list of where it's opening OR does anyone know if their going to eventually release it to the masses. One of the local theaters around where I live *might* get it, but I'm not exactly holding out for hope. Although I know I should.

[InTheMoney]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 2:13pm

Broadway Matt, that makes two of us! I also made it through COSETTE. (And promptly went back to the original Les Mis for the sake of some sanity & decent literature) WHAT WAS THE WOMAN THINKING?!?!?!?!

As for POTO, I haven't liked any of the leads I've heard so far.

Emmy Rossum: By ANGEL OF MUSIC she is supposed to be the new star of the Paris Opera. A VERY difficult thing to acheive, especially so young, so she MUST have a voice that really stands out. Yes she is still training, but the idea is that the Phantom has already made her far superior to anyone else in the elite company. I have actually often wondered if that isn't a kind of lure for her - that for the Phantom the training isn't as important as a way of bringing Christine to him. After, we never SEE him training her in the show (unless you count the title song & that isn't really training - that's just hypnosis & a few high notes).

Her voice just isn't unique enough for me. It does sound weak compared to other Christines - certainly not strong enough to capture the Paris Opera without a mic. I want to wind her up on the title song as she sings every note to its exact value which for me makes it sound monotone.

She's good, don't get me wrong. But for Christine, good simply isn't enough. Also, I don't get feel from that videoclip that this a girl completely entranced at the sound of her "Master"'s voice. She is meant to be overjoyed that he is there and contrite that she has apparently angered him. I didn't get any of that listening to Emmy.

GERARD BUTLER: Not bad. Sounds a bit forced on the higher notes and quite raw. I wouldn't say the Phantom's voice is his one saving fature. I actually care more about him as a human being than as a singer. Yes his mind is warped, but that is supposed to be explained by what Mme Giry tells Raoul. His saving feature is that he loves Christine desperately, but not selfishly. He only wants to be loved and, in spite of his passion for her and his loneliness, when Raoul comes after her, when she offers to give up her life to the Phantom in order to spare Raoul, he lets them both go. THAT is his redeeming moment.

Having said that, yeah the vidclip was very disappointing. Sounds like he struggles not only with high notes, but also with intervals. Still, at least it proves there's been no electronic intervention. Lol.

PATRICK WILSON: Only heard him in All I Ask Of You and again I really have heard better. He sounded as though he was struggling with the low notes, there seemed to be very little support from the diaphragm, and he was breathing in the wrong places. I've never seen him onstage so can only comment on this one soundclip, but that song just screamed "poor technique" to me. Updated On: 11/9/04 at 02:13 PM

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 2:20pm

Can I just say that I adore Miranda Richardson and I'm so happy she's in this film?

[InTheMoney]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 2:21pm

Miranda Richardson is amazing. She's such a versatile actress. I love her as Queenie in Blackadder.

[Jus B]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 3:37pm

She lives in the Opera House?
Also, its interesting to find that its "slave of fashion" I always thought it was "slave of passion." Though I often feel I must have missed something somewhere when listening to Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. Updated On: 11/9/04 at 03:37 PM

[BlueRose]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 4:54pm

I really hate it when people try to tell me what I should think. Gerard Butler can sing. Unless you call what he is doing talking, he can sing. Whether or not he can sing well, is open to everyone's interpretation. I think that Gerard Butler will be a fantatstic Phantom. The first time I listened to him voice I got goosebumps. That doesn't happen to me a lot. The more I listen to him, the more I like him. He is not perfect. I can hear some spots that I think could use work, but overall I think he is great. I also like Emmy Rossum. In the movie she is suppossed to be 17. She sounds like the frightened young girl that she is. If you listen to the files from Amazon you can hear how her voice matures through the movie. To me, that is what Christine is suppossed to do. I am not vocalist, but I have been playing music for half of my life so I know a bit about music. I also have a good ear for tune (compliments of playing an e-flat clarinet and sitting next to a piccolo) and there are no pitch issues that I have heard. There are times when the vocals are a little thin but they are not out of tune.

I understand that some people aren't going to like this movie and the actors in it. That's fine. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Just please let me have mine.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 4:56pm

In the long run Nathan Lane kicks everyone's ass.

[QuiteSo]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 5:06pm

*Not attacking anyone*

The thing is, the Phantom /does/ need to have an amazing voice. It's partly what makes up for his outward deformities. His genius - albeit treading the line of insanity - is what makes the Phantom the Phantom. So, The Distinctive Baritone, I'd have to disagree with you.

I was disappointed with Gerard. I suppose it could be worse. The movie itself looks delicious. And Emmy - I've grown to love her.

And Michael Crawford, in my opinion, has an absolutely amazing voice.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:08pm

Hey, I didn't know Madaline Kahn was in this movie! I thought she was dead!

[Marquise]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:29pm

I don't want to be known as the Phantom b*tch. . .


too late for that. i think you already are.

and you seriously need to get a life. 13 years? gonna name your children after characters?

[Marquise]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:36pm

i take that back...i shouldn't have been so harsh. it's okay to like something, even admire it but not to the point of obsessing over it the way you just displayed on this thread and discounting other people's opinions on the subject.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:59pm

Marquise, have you rented STAR yet?

I have already said what I tend to say (For right now) so I will leave it at that. I'm spent.

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:38pm

ok this post has turned into 4 pages of attacks! its really kind of ridiculous. just because someones passionate about something and has an opinion (on either side of the arguement at hand) does not mean that they have no life. the people on this board need to stop being so vicious. if this conversation took place face to face i dont think that half the things that were typed would actually be said. this is one of the first posts i have answered because i didnt want to get chastized for like saying "soundtrack", or being a shill, or saying something that (god forbid) has been said once before. why cant we all just get along?????? haha

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:38pm

Who besides me has listen to the Amazon.com stream many, many, many times? I am listening to "Point of no return/Track down this murderer" and it is the best thing I have ever heard. OMG.

[zepka102]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:40pm

ummmm yeah... thanks to you spider, i'm addicted.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:45pm

hahaha. Yay, I got someone addicted to something (Thank God it wasn't crack cocaine. )

[zepka102]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:47pm

this is my crack cocaine.

[Mr. TN]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 9:06pm

I just want to add the point that Erik again is not professionally trained. He is disformed and when he was four years old (if you research my posts I did a whole long thread on this a while back) he was taught the violin which he could play because you only needed to be heard not seen. We see him playing the violin in the graveyard in Chapter V of the novel. Vocalists at this time did need to be when they sing as there were no recording devices. So he wasn't trained in voice. HOWEVER, (before people get angry) he does say in the novel that he learned to sing because he could sit and listen to the scores of first rate opera voices that performed in the Paris Opera for the many years he lived there. He has been sitting in Box 5 long before Christine showed up. That's my take.

In my opinion Butler's voice isn't the prime voice for the role but he will do.