Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Stilgoe, Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Charles Hart - The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack)

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 Amazon.com

GREAT ALBUM!!!

The Phantom of the Opera (2004 Movie Soundtrack) Wonderful soundtrack; one of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's best and most famous with haunting melodies - sure to please. A don't miss!! June 15, 2008

Beautiful music. Beautiful movie

The movie was quite moving, as was the music. Okay, I know NOTHING about opera, but in my honest opinion, all the performers gave very good performances. Emmy Rossum has the voice of an angel in "Think of Me". Gerard Butler offers a decent rendition of one of the most recognized songs of the movie/play, "Music of the Night". Just listening to the soundtrack, I instantly recall the scenes during which the songs were performed vividly. If new to opera, I'd say it's a fair introduction. But when has Andrew Lloyd Webber ever given us anything but his finest!! May 10, 2008

Superb

The music is fantastic on this cd and after watching the movie, you can feel the music when listening. The songs, the singers everything about it is wonderful. April 20, 2008

Absolutely Beautiful Music

I saw the movie, and I just had to have the music to enjoy over and over. What an awesome sountrack this is. As you listen to the CD, you are taken back over and over into the story. Great Vocals, great compositions, and a sountrack collector's delight. April 20, 2008

Movie spectacular...sound track less so

I loved the play. I loved the movie. I thought I would love the soundtrack. Until the talking started. I cannot stand soundtracks that are too lazy to remove the talk...that is sheer laziness. It's being pulled from the movie instead of being done totally separately. How lame. So while the music is probably great...who knows. I'm completely distracted because of the talk. Please, please someone come out with a soundtrack with NO talking. It doesn't need it. I buy the cd for the music. I buy the movie for the talk. March 26, 2008

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