SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

bkoganbing The man who gave us several cinematic incarnations of Freddy Kruger, Robert Englund did this version of The Phantom Of The Opera. But Englund was obviously looking for another long running series from this character.The Phantom here is a supernatural character unlike versions where Lon Chaney, Claude Rains, and Herbert Lom made him a most pitiable if frightening figure. And quite mortal.Not here however. Englund's phantom has made a Faustian pact with the devil. Old Scratch might have first dibs on his soul for the afterlife, but he's not going to have a good time of it. Englund wanted musical genius and he wanted to be loved for his music. The devil made him hideous with the worst case of eczema ever. He would most certainly not be loved for his appearance. Written he has and he wants Jill Schoelen to sing his music with acclaim and then make her his own in those familiar catacombs, these catacombs in London as opposed to Paris.The story is told in flashback as an unconscious Schoelen dreams of a past incarnation and her encounter with Englund a century before in a different life. But Englund is most persistent.I think hoped for another series character like Freddy Kruger, but it was not to be. This film is all right but not a patch on the previous Phantom Of The Opera films.

Michael_Elliott The Phantom of the Opera (1989)** (out of 4)The beautiful and talented Christine Day (Jill Schoelen) finds some old papers belonging to Erik Destler, a brilliant musician who also happened to be a psychotic murderer. While on an audition singing his work, an accident happens that sends the singer back to the days of Destler who is a mysterious Phantom (Robert Englund) who plans on making her a star no matter who he has to kill.Gaston Leroux's novel has been done countless times since the silent era so bringing it into the 1980's was probably a given and especially since you could add all sorts of gore to the picture. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA was released towards the end of the decade's slasher craze and while it doesn't offer much in regards to being original, it at least satisfies those seeking out gore and it also features a couple good performances.I think the highlight of the picture is without question the bloody gore effects, which are quite impressive, although at the same time it's obvious that the MPAA got their hands into the mix. What's surprising is that it's obvious the effects were trimmed here and there yet a couple extremely blood moments were allowed in the picture including a decapitation and another ghoulish moment when we see the aftermath of a man being skinned alive. Throughout the picture there are other stabbings and throat slashings that will appeal to fans of the genre.The performances are another thing that helps the picture with Schoelen really standing out in the role of the singer. I'm not going to sit here and claim she gives a brilliant performance but I think she makes for someone who can follow and root for throughout the picture. As for Englund, he too delivers a good performance and I especially liked an early scene where we see him, as the musician, before he sells his soul to Satan. I thought the actor handled this scene extremely well and there's no doubt that he has the skill to pull off playing mean. Even the supporting players are better than you'd expect them to be.Director Dwight H. Little was coming off the very successful HALLOWEEN 4 and he manages to bring the same type of atmosphere to this picture. I'm not certain the atmosphere mixes too well with the gore as the blood pretty much kills any possible suspense. There are other issues to be had with the film including the entire opening and closing sequences, which I thought were just downright silly. I also can't say the entire thing was all that exciting as there were many times where I just became bored with everything going on. This is perhaps due to how many different versions of the story that I've seen. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA certainly isn't a classic but fans of Englund and gore will probably want to check it out.

swedzin 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.

robespierre9 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!