The controversy over Gerard Butler's voice. — Page 4

"In my humble opinion, Gerald Butler's voice is excellent for the role of the Phantom. He has a rock-style voice sure, but can you honestly tell me you don't feel that rock edge when you hear the first chords of the Phantom's theme. Butler puts passion behind the voice that you can't get from just singing pretty. Raoul couldn't even match the Phantom when they sang, "Anywhere you go let me go too!" Butler feels the essences of the Phantom and his voice portrays it."

Well said, I agree. I admit to some reservations about Butler when I heard he had very little prior singing experience, but when I heard some of the music I was very pleasantly surprised, and pleased with what I heard. Seeing his performance on the screen increased my enjoyment tremendously. Butler is a fine actor, and he's incorporated his singing into that.

Gerard was great in the film. Sure, he clearly isn't classically trained, but it seemed to fit the part (despite the fact that he is Christine's vocal teacher). I liked the gruffness (a word?) in his voice. I wish he had some vibrato, however.

If freakin' ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER said he liked Gerard as the Phantom, then obviously, he must be good enough for the part! He WROTE the damn music, so if he's happy with it, then it's all good!

Yeah, I guess it could have been worse if they had cast Bart Simpson for the part but, I heard he was too expensive and not available.

I understand your point but, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber will be regretting his error in judgement when the Box Office returns extremely low ticket sales because of Webber's poor casting. It seems that Webber was reaching for a younger audience. I feel Webber's poor judgement is a similar reflection to George Lucas casting Jar Jar Binks in the Phantom Menace. Again, it was still a good movie but, it would have been so much better withour Jar Jar Binks...the same goes for the Phantom...it would have been so much better without Gerard. This situation also mirrors a corporate environment in which the people that are the least talented and can't perform above expectations are always the ones that always get promoted. Maybe Webber is secretly trying to tell us something by casting Gerard. Afterall, we all make mistakes...don't we? Bottom line: Webber made a mistake and error in poor judgement. What's next? Gerard action figures?
Click here to see how Gerard ruined this movie!

Updated On: 12/31/04 at 07:57 PM

Yes, I feel Gerard ruined this film due to his lack of vocal talent and stage presence. The rest of the cast at least met my expectations keeping in mind of course that I am not expecting perfection. I admit that I have some reservation about how the Phantom was portrayed and I noticed the script was re-worked a bit...these things in my mind are at least "acceptable" to me because I understand that this is a movie and I would expect a few differences from the Original Broadway production. Again, Webber had the entire world, 7 Continents to choose from...why didn't he cast a good looking guy that can sing? It just doesn't make any $cents$. At least that is what the Box Office projects.

Updated On: 12/31/04 at 08:12 PM

i loved his voicein the film mainly because he wasnt copycatting other broadway phantoms. he created his own image of how the phantom should sound.

I heard the music before I saw the movie, and I did stop for a moment and wonder why there wasn't a little more solid power. After a few rounds of listening - I was drawn to his voice - and after seeing the movie? I loved him. I found him to be very intense, captivating, and completely mesmerizing. He was a strong presence in my opinion - and he conveyed a lot of emotion in his singing. As someone pointed out, there is a lot more to the music than just singing pretty. I felt as if he really sold the songs and the emotions of the Phantom in his voice. I can understand how some may not be able to get past the fact that he doesn't have that "musical theater" sounding voice - or the type of voice that would blow you away. But I found so much to appreciate about his performance that went way above and beyond whether or not his voice soared. I think ALW found something he liked in Butler that he knew would work - and I for one completely fell for the guy.

Updated On: 1/1/05 at 12:18 AM

"kinda like the mask all the people must be wearing that must cover their ears when they say Gerard sings well."

Sorry, 42nd Street... I was not wearing any kind of mask when I saw this film and I had no problems with Mr. Butler's voice.

Just because you and the rest of the people in the MC for film Phantom campaign think a mistake was made doesn't mean those who think GB did a good job don't know what we're talking about.
You people have your opinion, we have ours. End of story.

InTheMoney -- not sure if you're responding to my message or not, but I do understand that not all those who dislike Butler are not necessarily MC fans. My response to 42nd Street was based on the link he/she posted which went to the recently ressurrected Phantommovie.com site, aka The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign site.

Re: "Just because you and the rest of the people in the MC for film Phantom campaign think a mistake was made doesn't mean those who think GB did a good job don't know what we're talking about."

Happy New Year everyone! I agree that we all see (and hear) things differently and sometimes we have to agree to disagree in an effort to avoid conflict. I appreciate and have enjoyed reading everyone's opinions, thoughts, and views on this thread. In regards to my reply to KEC, I think I may have been misunderstood in reference to the website link that I posted. The justification for the link to the website in question was based solely on the comments made by several critics and newspaper columnist that point out specifics on why Gerard was not well suited for the role. Again, I stress that I am not necessarily suggesting that Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman be recruited for the title role in the movie. However, what I am suggesting...if the role requires a singing voice...why not fill the role with a "Singing Voice"? I agree with another member that stated Webber could have used someone that currently holds the lead title role in the Broadway Production. I think that Webber is better suited for theater than motion pictures. Again, Webber had the entire world to cast from...why pick someone that can't sing? Honestly, what really prompts my contribution to this forum was the "cringe" factor. It seemed that while watching this movie...during certain parts of the Phantom singing I noticed myself "cringing" and at some points holding my hands over my ears. I agree...IT is what it IS. The movie was ok as it IS.

Updated On: 1/1/05 at 02:56 PM

You know what? I was like he is not very good like after seeing it..but i bought the soundtrack and I prefer to listen to him over Crawford because he puts A LOT of emotion in it and I actually do enjoy listening to him in A LOT of the songs....he sounds really good most of the time...give him a chance!

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I agree with Phantomeirk...Gerry's voice was a nice change. MC's vocals always lacked something for me, though he was(and that is not a typo) an impressive vocalist. The fact that some people think that in 2004 MC could have been cast in this movie is LAUGHABLE. He would probably break his hip trying to do some of the menial stunts. And I have heard a recent live performance of him singing "Music of the Night"...sounds to me like he can't do it anymore!