The Phantom of the Opera

Synopsis:

Christine Daee (Emmy Rossum) is a promising young Opera star in 19th century Paris. She is haunted by the voice of the Phantom (Gerard Butler), a musician who hides in the shadows to hide a facial disfigurement, yet sings to her obsessively.

Dwelling in the dark, damp chambers beneath the Paris opera house, the Phantom lords over the cast and management with artistic autocracy - he writes the shows, casts them, and threatens all who disobey his plans with dramatically violent outbursts.

But when his young student Christine falls for the rich and dapper Raoul (Patrick Wilson), the phantom descends into madness...

What the critics are saying:

"...part of the pleasure of moviegoing is pure spectacle -- of just sitting there and looking at great stuff and knowing it looks terrific. There wasn't much Schumacher could have done with the story or the music he was handed, but in the areas over which he held sway, he has triumphed."
- Roger Ebert, Chicago SunTimes

"For those whose primary experience with musicals is on the screen, this melodramatic tale with the familiar soundtrack should hold substantial appeal."
- Claudia Puig, USA Today

"...feels less like a movie than a nonstop amusement park ride designed to make people feel they really got their money's worth."
- Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com