Holiday Movie Preview 2004

Phantom of the Opera

Finally, you can experience the famed musical in stadium seating with a tub of popcorn and a 64-ounce soda. So maybe it's not exactly the viewing atmosphere that Andrew Lloyd Webber had in mind when he penned the stage version, but it can't be too far from his magical vision, since he also produced the movie. Using mostly stage actors, he and director Joel Schumacher, who's known for high-octane thrillers like Batman Forever, have put together a lavish film that remains faithful to the classic love story unfolding between a disfigured musical genius (Gerard Butler) and a lovely young soprano (Emmy Rossum).

Following Chicago's movie success, filmmakers are hard at work adapting plays like Phantom, Closer and Proof into big-screen vehicles. We'll see if the theater trend continues or, like Cats, becomes just a "Memory." (Sorry, we couldn't resist.)

next : The Woodsman