and I was extremely wary of their attempt to bring it to the big screen--as well as the tendency to "settle" for less than stellar voicing in lieu of celebrity casting or acting.

But, I intend to see this in a theater as soon as I can.

I got it last night on FB from a friend of my son, who is also extended family, and who was stand in for Javert when the 21st anniversary performances were first running at the Queens Theatre in London prior to the 25th Anniversary bash at the 02. Only disappointment there was that they use a reduced size set to accommodate the stage size. The set when it was on at the Palace Theatre in the '90 was simply huge.

I wasn't wary about the film version. They made a pretty good job of transferring Phantom to the screen.

I've got both the 10th and 25th DVDs and can't wait to get the film when its released.

First time I saw it back in the early '90s someone said take a hankie. I'm glad I did - still cracks me up even now.

it should have been set in contemporary America.

Tom Hooper was there and said he only finished it at 2:00 Thursday morning.

It is a powerfully emotional film.
The performances are amazing.
You can really see how letting the actors sing live made it become real.
Hooper really focusses on the actors and lets their performances shine through.

Anne Hathaway's song, "I Dreamed a Dream" which was done in one long continuous closeup, was one of the most astounding pieces of acting I think I've seen. The audience, a lot of them actors, gasped when it was over.



The movies is long and gets a little slow in the middle when you have to reset and get involved with a new set of characters but it's an amazing piece of work.
Almost every line is sung, like an opera, and that put some people off but I'm sure it's true to the theatrical show.

I'm curious how audiences will go for it.

of Crowe and Jackman? In the previews I thought Fantine, Cossette, Marius, and Eponine hit it out of the park, but not so Valjean and Javert. I am hoping I have not heard the best. The initial scene between Valjean and Javert when Valjean receives his parole papers was disappointing. I am hoping for better.

I agree with you about Hathaway - she is simply stunning even on a laptop computer with inferior speakers.

Easily my favorite musical of all time.

He carried the story well I thought.

Crowe didn't bring anything special to the part.
I get the feeling that singing and acting together wasn't the most natural thing for him.
There was an intensity the character required that was missing.

It's definitely worth seeing.

Weekend date night with my wife. Looking forward to it.

I remember watching Lea Salonga in the broadway. Such a gifted singer and actress.

And I'm gonna be bawling like baby the whole way through.

Sid

I've been listening to the original French version on youtube and it's pretty special too. Every version of this is sublime.

Too long, a bit boring. I am not a huge fan of movie musicals, though.
Hugh Jackman was very good, as was Anne Hathaway.