Best movie of this year hands down!

Very best movie i ever watch

Highly Overrated But Still Good

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

A darker version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel. A young soprano (Jill Schoelen) becomes the obsession of a horribly disfigured composer (Robert Englund) who has plans for those oppose himself or the young singer.The Phantom tale has been told many times, as a musical, a romance, a tragedy, as a horror. While this has elements of all those things, it mostly falls under horror. What do you expect when you have a horribly scarred Robert Englund? We also have Jill Schoelen, who had a great (albeit small) run in horror with "Popcorn" (1991) and "The Stepfather" (1987).What is interesting about this film's creation is that it was coming from the collapse of Cannon and the departure of director John Hough. Now, would Hough have handled things different? Perhaps. But to see Cannon fold and be left without any money for a budget... nice. And they still did alright.As a bonus, this was Molly Shannon's film debut, and the cast (at least Englund and mark Ryan) spent their off time at a Romanian casino.

Gory slasher interpretation of the story. Overall I liked it. It did pander to a wider audience by beginning and ending in present day. This was also just a bit confusing, and seems to have been done in an attempt to lay the groundwork for some sequels. The makeup was very well realized, and I enjoyed how it allowed the Phantom to go out and about. The kills were gruesome and cruel, and Englund mostly managed to keep his performance away from Krueger territory. A bit of classical literature, mixed with 80's slasher, and some class act British performances, such as a young Nighy, make this a worthwhile watch. Perhaps the music could have been a little bit more engaging/hypnotic.

First of all, I must say that this movie was terrible! A darker approach to the book and musical sounds pretty fine, but here... it was used in wrong way. The director Dwight H. Little should first read the book. Was that too hard for him? He made a story in New York that brings us a horrific tale that occurred in London? OK, I am not gonna talk anymore and compare book to the film, or the earlier versions or even new versions. Let's just concentrate one the film. Well good things... acting was good, Robert Englund was good as always, he is a good actor, but... damn...! After I saw a scene of his face, I though... It's Freddy Kruger! I mean, it's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" all over again! Englund cannot escape this character, I mean, he was supposed to be a Phantom, not Freddy! Typecasting is sometimes a really boring, huh? Jill Schoelen was fine as Christine, and it was very, very interesting to see Bill Nighy in some of his earlier appearances on US film. Also, the music and costumes were good. Now, bad... what's with all that gore and crazy violent scenes? Was Phantom that crazy? Really ... what the hell!? Phantom did kill a few people, but not in that way. Than story itself is funny, script is nothing special and the Phantom is, this is the most ridiculous, a superhuman! He can jump high, he can run fast, he can do this and that... that was very annoying! And of course,again, I am not going to talk about the book comparing. You can see it, if you are interested... but it's your funeral.

I have to preface this review by saying that I am a big Robert England fan, from his work with Jan Michael Vincent in "BUSTER AND BILLIE" and "BIG Wednesday", to of course the Nightmare on Elmstreet films. It was great to see Robert in something where he could actually act on screen for a long time!! The trouble with many of the Nightmare movies is Freddy's role becomes less and less. I think Robert was waiting to chew up the screen (so to speak) in this movie. He really gets to show what good actor he is!! Along with displaying his incredibly amazing ability to disappear behind makeup. It's almost like this movie was made as a tribute to Englund/Freddy! The makeup he wears is very like Freddy makeup, and his body language/acting is excellent in this also. I really like the end (in the modern time - 80's) where the 'director' end up being Robert without makeup! (Just like Wes Craven would do in the later 90's Nightmare movie with Heather Langenkamp.) The costumes are also outstanding - especially England's Masque of Red Death outfit! It is a bit bloody - its close to slasher moments here may turn off a few folks. But if you are looking for a fun, Gothic, 80's, slasher/drama, this is great!