as usual, posting related to studies will be posted to weizhongstudyblog.blogspot.com
Well, let'me just make a quick review on the film "Phantom of the Opera" (2004) which I have watched yesterday.
SPOILER ALERT
Basically, there was this rumour of a phantom ghost that resides in the Paris Opera House (Gerard Butler) which from time to time extorts money from the Opera owner and sometimes makes blatant requests. However, he was attracted by the beautiful voice of Christine Daae (Emmy Rossum), and decided one day to lure Christine to his lair using his marvelous sounding voice. Raoul (Patrick Wilson), hears her voice and remembers her as his childhood lover. They began to got together and thus causes the Phantom to be angry. He then devises a plan to again, lure her, at her father's grave, however was stopped by Raoul. They got into a sword fight and Raoul won, and initially wanted to kill him, but was stopped by Christine. The Phantom got really humilated this time, and decides on a plan to really get back at them. After ruining the night's play, he sets the Opera on fire and kidnappes Christine. Raoul, however, managed to find her with the help of Madam Giry (Miranda Richardson). The Phantom then got a hold on Raoul, and threatens to kill him if she did not choose the Phantom. Christine kisses the Phantom, after seeing how desperate he is, and of course to save Raoul. The Phantom, overcomed by all that emotion, decides to let them go. The Phantom, was however, not found, but his mask was left in the theatre. Fast forward to year 1919, Christine is seen dead, at age 63, with Raoul placing a monkey musical box (that the Phantom owns) besides her tomestone. Besides the tomestone lies a rose with a black ribbon tied around it (a trademark of the Phantom) and an engagement ring.
Personal Comments : Well, I simply think the whole story is terrific, awsome, fabulous. If you're seeing this story for the first time, you'll like it. However, of course, a live musical performance would be a lot better. Personally, if you don't like long winded stories with musical performance in it, don't see it. Otherwise, it's really a good watch.
Now, referring to the story and not the film, it's a spifftastic plot. The Phantom, who was utterly disfigured was not loved by anyone, and did not experience this rich sensation of love before, thought that he finally found his true love - and the best thing is that, Christine wasn't scared of him, nor his looks. However, she left the Phantom to be with Raoul.
Christine, on the other hand, loved the Phantom, but was shocked at what he does, and is afraid of what he can do.
The fact that the Phantom still loved Christine (by placing the rose and the engagement ring beside her tomestone) meant that, undying love does exists. Also, the reverse method of telling the story works miracle, who'd ever thought that an old opera house actually lies a extraordinary love story. The image of the monkey musical box has been portrayed as such a strong image - was seen in both the beginning and the end of the film, and was used to connect the parts of the film together. And you can almost feel all that emotion in that box that the great Phantom once held (especially at the near-end of the film, whereby he holds this box and cries) when the aged Raoul held it.
And yes, for my score this time, I added in another section, "Songs and Musical Effects".
10.3/10
rose and fell and rising again@ 2:08 AM