Sometimes you just can't be cynical enough

[ebonlock]

Oh dear god. cleolinda just posted a link to a review of the new Phantom movie soundtrack that is, if one is extremely kind, savage.

It would seem that the early viewers have confirmed the most general worry of Phantom fanatics: visuals were priority #1 and the music was priority #2. The British have been the most vividly spectacular in their negative criticism of the film --after all, the production was their brain child originally and they have the right to claim its successes and denounce its failures-- and one writer from The Herald summed up the critical response by stating, "I approached this with an open mind. I really did. And it made me want to claw out my own eyeballs and use them to plug my ears." But could it really be that horrible? After all, how could one of the greatest compositions of modern times be so thoroughly ruined?

Indeed, the music for this film version of The Phantom of the Opera is an unimaginable disaster of staggering proportions.

If Webber truly thinks that the performances of this film version live up to the standards established by the original recording, then he has completely lost his mind.
[...]
Butler's performance exists on a whole other level of hideousness, though, and it is this unbelievable error that renders the film recording of The Phantom of the Opera as both horrendous and painful. Butler's lack of formal vocal training is blindingly obvious, with the man shouting his role rather than singing it. He cannot hold notes worth a damn, and the entire demeanor of his voice is wrong for the role. The Phantom was both mysterious and romantic. There was something overpowering and seductive about his voice, as captured perfectly by Michael Crawford. Butler does well with the anguish and anger, but that's it. Volumes could be written about the particulars of how this actor was terrible for the role, but at some point, you have to just denounce the poor guy as the wrong choice and move on.


I think I need to go home and listen to my London and Toronto cast recordings so I can stop whimpering.

Comments

[xleste.livejournal.com]

Uh-oh.

A disaster beyond your imagination will occur!

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Although I was amused by the imagery of plucking one's eyes out in order to plug one's own ears. Still, this does not bode well. Um, at least we can all hold one another's hand if it gets too bad...

[xleste.livejournal.com]

Tell you what we'll do...we'll bring your CD of the London cast recording and a walkman with dual earbuds, and when the appropriate song comes on, we'll substitute Michael Crawford over it. ;)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Tell you what we'll do...we'll bring your CD of the London cast recording and a walkman with dual earbuds, and when the appropriate song comes on, we'll substitute Michael Crawford over it. ;)

You're a genius! I love this plan!

[eilonwey.livejournal.com]

:whimpers. :(

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

:whimpers. :(

At least we don't have to face the horror alone, right? And there might be some pretty costumes.

[shadowchaser44.livejournal.com]

I liked the book, but never saw the musical, and don't intend to see the movie, though I do hope that those of you who are looking forward to it aren't disappointed. Maybe the critics are just being excessively, you know, critical.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I liked the book, but never saw the musical, and don't intend to see the movie, though I do hope that those of you who are looking forward to it aren't disappointed. Maybe the critics are just being excessively, you know, critical.

I don't think so, the critic seems to be on the same wavelength as me regarding the importance of this work in general, the casting worries I've had from the start, and the overall opinion of what kind of vocal talent should've been at work here. I get the feeling the critic was being, if anything, generous.

[shadowchaser44.livejournal.com]

I didn't want to be too negative, but the reviews I've read have basically said the movie is disappointing; pretty sets, pretty people, the actress who plays Christine is great, but the men are too pretty and not very good actors. I hope for your sake the costumes are beyond fabulous. :)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

If not I'm going to cry and cry and cry. I may do that anyway, though. I've got such a "Chronicles of Riddick" feeling about this.

[shadowchaser44.livejournal.com]

"Chronicles of Riddick" was...hm, how to put this... well, it had Vin playing the role he was born to play. He kicked lots of alien ass...um...I'd buy it if it were on sale for $2.99 or so, just to be able to watch it if I'm in a really bad mood and need some vicarious violence. Otherwise...not so much.

Yep, I'm afraid you're right. :)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

"Chronicles of Riddick" was...hm, how to put this... well, it had Vin playing the role he was born to play. He kicked lots of alien ass...um...I'd buy it if it were on sale for $2.99 or so, just to be able to watch it if I'm in a really bad mood and need some vicarious violence. Otherwise...not so much.

I would have to be paid a lot to watch that film again, and only with the stipulation that I could fast forward whenever I felt like it. I was mildly amused by Karl Urban doing his best Caesar in a goofier outfit routine in that film, but that's about it.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Two quick questions, also having only read the book and heard people talk about the show in high school.
My understanding was that, musically, the show was not all that great and the second act introduced very little in the way of new music--was this report mistaken?
The importance of this work in general--is that as a piece of art or as a work that many people are very fond of? Both?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Two quick questions, also having only read the book and heard people talk about the show in high school.
My understanding was that, musically, the show was not all that great and the second act introduced very little in the way of new music--was this report mistaken?

I think it was definitely a work that was dismissed out of hand as simply "popular" with the ignorant masses. ALW was, for quite a while, seen as the McDonald's of theater, just churning out schlock for the lowest common denominator audience. Now with some of his work I wouldn't argue the point, but I believe Phantom stands out as his greatest achievement and one of the greatest musicals of all time.
And anyone who argues that the second act had very little in the way of new music was obviously not paying attention. The second "Notes" sequence is sheer brilliance, and "Point of No Return"...good god. "Wandering Child" and the entire lair scene give me goosebumps just thinking about them.

The importance of this work in general--is that as a piece of art or as a work that many people are very fond of? Both?

Again, both, but I wouldn't argue that the two are mutually exclusive.

[missjones.livejournal.com]

They had a segment on the movie on Sunday Morning this past weekend and all I can say is...I really think they got a guy with a lisp to sing the phantoms part...and that is really being kind on my part. I was horrified. He didn't sound seductive at all, in fact Jim probably could have sounded more seductive and appropriate and he is tone deaf.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid to go over to Amazon and listen to clips from the soundtrack. Deeply, deeply afraid.