Reno_x_Turk
Honestly, I hated the '04 movie. Mostly because I've been to several operas and musicals and they are SOOO much better when you see them live. I went to the Phantom of the Opera show they had in Vegas. I can honestly say it was the best thing I had ever seen.
Yeah, I saw it on Broadway. The spectacle of it rather blinded me to the way it all hinges on everyone being less intelligent than chickens. the movie version of the musical managed to emphasise the weak plotting without capturing the spectacle that is the live show.
I much prefer the silent version, myself.