No, the story doesn't follow the plot of the original book. However, this was a great film if people can get over preconceived notions of 'how it should be'. Leroux's novel is fiction. It isn't real. There was a real singer named Christine Nilsson who was the prototype for Christine Daae, however she was never abducted by a masked fiend. And for those fans who claim the true mask was a white half mask are mistaken and only using Sir Andrew's musical as their background (which is only loosely based on Leroux's novel in and of itself). The true mask was a full mask and it was black. Authors and stage managers have been changing the masks' appearance for years (ie; 1925 with Lon Chaney) to fit their storyline or vocal needs. In Sir Andrew's musical the mask is only a half mask because it made for better staging and viewing from the audiences' perspective. If you're truly interested in the staging decisions you can read "The Complete Phantom of the Opera" which is all about Sir Andrews' musical. I am a slasher fan and a 'Phantom' phanatic. I felt this was a truly cool movie with my favorite villain, Mr. Robert Englund. I found this movie highly entertaining. After all, isn't that why we go to the movies in the first place? To be entertained? If I wanted a movie that followed the original story line I would be hard pressed to find one. However, the characters personalities were very true to the story. Christine Day (Daae) has always been a modern turn of the century woman with her own ideas and agenda. She was not portrayed as a weak and somewhat low intelligence woman as Sir Andrew portrayed her, but that's what makes his musical so engaging. You find yourself rooting for the Phantom simply because it is so easy to manipulate her. In this movie you find yourself rooting for neither the Phantom nor Richard (Raoul). You're cheering on Christine to the very end, which makes it so wonderfully different from every other 'Phantom' movie out there. That is as much because of Miss Scholoen as it is because of the writers. Miss Scholoen makes Christine seem like me, or one of my friends rather than a wispy caricature of femininity. Mr. Englund was, as usual, creepy beyond words and sexy as hell. If you'll pardon the pun. His genius lies in his ability to make a villain sympathetic without taking away any of the scary and creepy aspects that are so highly prized in a slasher flick. You find yourself feeling sorry for him almost as much as you fear him which builds the tension in your own mind long before the writers want you to be tense. You end up doing all the work of freaking yourself out and then the writers come along and bash you over the head with gore. It's awesome! Bravo to Mr. Englund once again! His portrayal was as true to the story as the plot would allow. The original Erik had quite a bit of blood on his hands. He was not a warm and fuzzy guy. Being kidnapped by the original would not have been the romantic getaway that many 'Phantom' fans think it would be. You would find yourself in the clutches of someone who would willingly blow up an entire opera house, himself included, just so you couldn't get away. Personally, I prefer roses and moonlit walks as a means of wooing. Granted the original had a sad life that made him that way, as did Erik Destler of this movie version. To be honest, the Devil tricked him. He never said "I'm the Devil and when you say you would sell your soul I mean literally." No, he was a midget dressed like an organ grinders monkey who simply asked him if musical fame was worth his soul. And, Erik never really got that fame did he? No one heard his operas. So, was it a fair bargain? No. Poor guy was cheated! If you're a die hard 'Phantom' fan who simply can't separate themselves from either Leroux or Sir Andrew then by all means don't waste your time on this movie. If you have the creative ability to take this movie for what it is, a slasher flick based on Phantom of the Opera, then you will love this movie as much as I do. If you're a Freddy fan you'll find a million more reasons to thank God for giving us Robert Englund and for pairing him with one of the few actresses who can hold her own next to a legend such as Mr. Englund. I'm speaking of the girl-next-door beauty, Jill Scholoen.
Review of The Phantom of the Opera
