"Phantom" test screening: my review- Page 4

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:17pm

I didnt read all of the posts here so I dont know if anyone asked this but is it true they changed the ending? (The part when Meg climbs over the gate and pulls the cape off the throne to reveal the mask.) If so, Im mad because that was such a riveting ending. Truly spine-tingling.

[WiCkEd4LyFfE]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:25pm

By that part, not to be mean, but i was asleep.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:29pm

GASP!!!!!!!!! How could you have been asleep? I need a mountain dew bad now.

[Roxie]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:45pm

I've just discovered that there is no release date where I live in Canada!!! Ahhhh. We better get it. I missed out on Delovely.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:45pm

*"Prima Donna" does NOT stop the action. During the number, Andre and Firmin lavish her with jewelry and furs (and a poodle!) and most of the action follows Carlotta's preparations for "Il Muto." There's a really funny part where her dress is descended from the flies and lowered onto her.

*"Notes" is in, but not "Notes 2."

*There are close-ups after he is unmasked, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. But you might not want to see it on, like, IMAX or anything. :)

*The ending is changed, but very minimally. And I really liked it; I think it works better on screen. And it's every bit as touching as the stage version.

And I took everyone's advice and I will be submitting a review to Ain't It Cool News shortly, so look for it!

[Plexsis]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:06pm

i'm suprised no one has asked this yet...
Where does the chandelier fall? At the end of Il Muto, or Don Juan Triumphant?

[Raimiette]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:20pm

Can you recall which songs, if any, were cut from the film?

[jbb_lkh]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:21pm

Dear God Rose, you're a godess!! Thanks for all the possible information that has given by you. Just as an indication towards the movie, does it give you the impression of "wanting more"/"what is it going to be next" kinda feeling or will it be a "Drag"?

I was wondering, what if a person who doesn't go see a musical and watch the movie... Updated On: 9/29/04 at 09:21 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:23pm

*The chandelier falls after the Phantom is unmasked, and it's bloody awesome.

*The only cut song (that I can think of at least) was "Notes 2." Also, the new song, "No One Would Listen", was not in my screening, but they might put it in later.

jbb_lkh: I saw it with three other people, and two of them hadn't seen the musical and still liked it, and the other one had seen the show and absolutely loved the film. I'd say there's definitely a "leave 'em wanting more" feeling when you leave.

Updated On: 9/29/04 at 09:23 PM

[madaboutoz]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:33pm

Thanks for the answers! But if they cut Notes 2 how do they deal with the information given in Notes 2? Somewhere it was said that the Phantom gives the instructios at the end of his part in Masquerade. Is this true? Thank you so much. You are great!!!!!

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 9:36pm

That sounds right. And thank you!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 10:01pm

Roxie! Where in Canada do you live? Tell me POTO will be showing in Vancouver & Toronto!

(BTW, Rose, you rule.)

Updated On: 9/29/04 at 10:01 PM

[Plexsis]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 10:07pm

how much talking is involved in this movie?
And is "Angel of Music" (Christine and Meg) changed at all?
(by the way thank you soooooooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooooooooo much!)

[blueroses24]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 10:30pm

Rose,
Like so many others, you have made my day! I truly believe you have seen this film...unlike that other *coughs--Scooby Doo--* person!

I'd like to know how Emmy did with singing, "Think of Me." It's my favorite song from the show. Was she successful with the condanza???

~Rachel~

[PhantomAngel777]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 11:00pm

I was wondering if maybe you could tell me what exactly is happening in this scene...if you can remember.



Since the picture came out I have been dying to know during what part this is and if he is lying down on the bed/coffin with her. Looking at the picture, it's hard to tell from the angle.

And just one last tiny question(for now I think)....very dumb, but....were you moved to tears by the ending? Or close to?

Thanks again Rose for all this info. You don't know how truly happy it makes me. :) Updated On: 9/29/04 at 11:00 PM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 11:50pm

Rose thank you for all you responses. I have a different kind of question that that's been asked. How is the music. Did they make it more rock sounding like they did with EVITA? I know at Sarah Brightman's concerts the Overture is much more loud and rock sounding. I know they're trying to appeal to the popular audience. Do the back up orchestrations seem loud and powerful? I don't want it to sound just like what's on stage now because that from the 80s and it needs a makeover. Thanks.

[BroadwayMonkey]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 11:59pm

Awesome! I'm super-psyched!

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:00am

I can answer your question in part.

The music producer, Nigel Wright said: "When they made the original cast album, it was a pit orchestra of about 25 instruments with some extra string players. Now we are a 105-piece full symphony, with a 90-piece choir - it's big! It's up there, and it's all real."

"Evita" stuck with the pit orchestra to accomadate Madonna's vocals. They didn't do that here.

Also, Webber re-worked a lot of the score so that it has a more "timeless and epic" feel. So you can forget about the 80's techno-drum beat in the title song, etc.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:06am

What?!?!?! Are you kidding? Thanks fo you reply. I love the 80s techno beats in the title song! Are we sure there is no rock feel anywhere in the movie? I'm starting to wish Jim Steinman HAD written the lyrics. hmm

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:10am

I'm sure it'll still have the same beats. It'll just sound a bit more classical. However, I'm not the one who has seen the movie so you'll probably want to wait and see what Rose says. It is a "rock opera", but I think Webber wanted to modernize it a bit and extract the blatant 80's style.

In any case, a full orchestra is a very good thing: a great advantage the film has to the play. It'll sound amazing I'm sure.

[Sally]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:29am

Thanks, RoseMcS, for all the answers. You think Gerard is a great Phantom and answered a question about his speaking voice, but what is very important is what is his SINGING voice like? I was kind of sceptical when I read that his only professional singing had been with a rock band. Does he have a strong voice? Baritone or more of a tenor? Broadway kind of voice or? Up to snuff as an "Angel of Music"?

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:33am

Plexsis: There's pretty much no talking, except for the prologue. I did notice that the Phantom's "Come, we must return; those two fools who run my theater will be missing you" was spoken, as was "You try my patience. Make your choice!" and Raoul and Christine's part of "Masquerade" was spoken, which I actually didn't like. It sounds odd for two people to just talk in rhyme.

bluerosos24: I don't know what condanza is, so I can't comment on it, but Emmy did a beautiful "Think of Me." And I promise, I really did see it! I can scan my pass, if that'll help.

PhantomAngel777: That picture looks like it's from the end of "Music of the Night." I don't think he lays down with her, though.

bronxboundexpress: Don't fret; the score sounds just like the stage version, just bigger and grander. All the techno sounds and electric instruments are there.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:42am

I totally believe you. But if you scanned your pass that would be uber cool...you might want to put something like "ROSE" over it though so some troll didn't steal it and write up a fake review. But at least it'd give us Phans something to drool over.

You don't have to by any means though: you've done enough! Thank you SOOOO much!

[blueroses24]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:54am

Oh...the condonza (though I'm certain that I'm spelling it incorrectly) is Christine's part at the very end of "Think of Me" while she just vocalizes...those high notes...

Ah good idea about scanning that ticket, though I do believe you! You have given us info whereas others have not which says to me that you have seen the show and are a true "phan."

~Rachel~

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 9/30/04 at 12:55am

Does Gerard's Scottish accent show through or did they even bother trying to cover it up?

MeGustaJake: Hhehe. i've been a lurker over at PhantomPhans, seen you there. I'm not registered but am a daily lurker.