For better or worse, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of Gaston Leroux's gothic horror/romance novel has done for stage musicals what Spielberg's Jaws did for fish stories, with worldwide sales of its original cast album approaching 25 million. While director Joel Schumacher's film turns on his typically ambitious visual verve, its new film soundtrack recording has been paradoxically focused in scope, yet beefed up dynamically via the brawny presence of a hundred piece orchestra and The London Boys Choir. This single disc version showcases all of Phantom's key songs (a deluxe, double-disc edition is also available), with Gerard Butler imparting a welcome, youthful sensuality to his Phantom, making a fine foil for Emmy Rossum's ever-conflicted Christine. Original show orchestrator David Cullen has fashioned compelling new contemporary arrangements to frame Webber's songs -- which now conclude with the lilting, upbeat new ballad he wrote for the film, "Learn to Be Lonely," sung by Minnie Driver. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Rating:
Summary: Best of the best ???
Comment: Since the movie was great, the singers superb, what more can I say? The CD is a good alternative if you are driving by car ...

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Phantom fan
Comment: I saw the Phantom on stage in Toronto. I did not see the movie until 2007. I enjoyed the movie much more than the play. When I saw the play I never got a good feeling of the story. Perhaps I was too close to the stage to get an overall look of it. When I saw the movie, because you see everything up close, it was much more understandable. I bought the two disc version of the dvd and was interested in the explanation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Shumacker of the casting and the production. I think they did exactly what they intended... made it enjoyable to a larger audience.

As to the casting...the only one I did not enjoy was Patrick Wilson, but perhaps its because I thought the character was trying to control Christine too much. I loved Gerard Butler's version of the Phantom.
I think although actors like him may not have the voice of a professional singer they more than make up for it by their acting skills. When it comes to hiting the note or giving the emotion, the acting always wins.
Emmy was very good and I love her low range voice even more than the higher range and there was no break in between, which you often get with
opera singers.

As to the story, I still cannot quite understand why Raoul bought her the music box, unless Christine was obsessed by the phantom during their marriage. She should have really picked the phantom; so what if he gets mad and kills people every once in a while, it's his only fault. (I'm joking)

My one regret is that I did not see the movie on the big screen. I hope that some theatre nearby has a showing of it so that I can see it in its full splendor. I think it's somewhat like "Lawrence of Arabia" or "The Fountain" that should be seen large to get the full video effect.

I have both versions of the cd. This shorter version is great for those who only want the main songs. I bought the 2 disc version because it leaves out some of my favorite parts. But I play both of them all the time.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack
Comment: This is a great classsic soundtrack (as are all Andrew Lloyd Webber Soundtrack's) The condition was perfect and i was very pleased with my purchase.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Gift
Comment: I gave this as a gift to my younger sister, and she is thrilled. She deeply enjoys the rich music. USPS is the worst shipper possible, buyer beware! Overall worth a buy.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Gerard Butler!!!!!!
Comment: I will watch or listen to anything with Gerard Butler! Of course The Phantom of the Opera is wonderful, but I love the soundtrack and movie to hear him. I even watched 300 just to see the body. Listen to this all the time.

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