Cannon films, the company that brought cult classics such as Masters of the Universe, Missing in Action, Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2, and Lifeforce, now they bring you the best Phantom of them all!WARNING: SPOILERS AHEADCannon films is probably the most underrated film studio ever! Now, i know that is quite a bold statement, but they may have several flops, and yes some downright crappy films they did produce what i and many believe to be the best Phantom of the Opera of the them all.The 1989 film version of gaston leroux's masterpiece of a novel was a hard R-rated film that was Gory, erotic, and beautiful. The film was directed by at the time up incoming director Dwight H. Little (Halloween 4, Anaconda's: Hunt for the Blood Orchid). The script was written by Duke Sandefur (Atlas Shrugged: Part 2) and Gerry 'o Hara (The Mummy Lives). Phantom stars the ever talented horror aficionado Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger, Eaten Alive, Mangler, etc), who plays the titular phantom, Erik Dessler. Jill Schoelen (Stepfather, Popcorn) plays the lovely soprano and phantom's love interest Christine. The rest of the cast includes: The ever talented Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead, Rango, Love Actually), a young Molly Shannon (SNL, Talladega Nights), and the very talented Lawrence Harvey (From Hell). These along with the main cast members do an extremely excellent job selling every moment of it. The film also features some beautiful orchestral music conducted by award winning musician Misha Segal. The score of the film is beautiful and very powerful. Other then music the film features amazing makeup effects for the titular phantom. The makeup was created by the amazingly talented Kevin Yagher (Child's Play, a Nightmare on Elm.St). Now being no stranger to the world of foam rubber, Robert Englund was more then willing to get back in the rubber. The film features one of the most beautiful makeup effects ever put on film. The makeup is so detailed and amazing. Also, the film contains buckets of blood and carnage. There's beautiful decapitations, Wonderful stabbings, and gorgeous gore. Also, John Carl Buechler (TROLL, Ghoulish, Re-Animator) did extra makeup and gore effects for the film.The film is wonderfully directed, splendidly crafted in music and sound, beautifully Gory. The film is a wonderful masterpiece and a personal favorite. I Love everything about this film. The acting is wonderful and Robert Englund is magnificent.The film is great and wonderfully crafted film. The Phantom of the Opera is a great movie!Two-Thumbs Way Up!

Robert Englund takes a break from playing Freddy Krueger to step into another iconic role, that of Erik, the disfigured composer from The Phantom of the Opera, reminding Elm Street fans that there's more to him as a performer than a striped sweater, a few corny wisecracks and a mean set of finger-blades.Dwight H. Little's 1989 adaptation of Gaston Leroux's classic novel opens in modern day New York, with opera singer Christine (the lovely Jill Schoelen) discovering the unfinished work of composer Erik Destler (Englund), who, as legend has it, sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for success, committed several murders and disappeared in mysterious circumstances after becoming obsessed with a young soprano.When Christine performs Destler's work at her next audition, she is accidentally knocked out by a sandbag that falls from the rigging; while unconscious, Christine dreams of living in Victorian London, where she is the object of the Phantom's obsession. Entranced by Christine, Erik is determined to make the girl a star, removing those who might get in his way by any means necessary.In casting Englund, setting his film in two different time periods and locations, introducing supernatural elements from Faust, and delivering numerous gory slasher style killings, Little makes it clear that his intent is not to make a slavish adaptation of Leroux's novel, but to simply entertain, and in that he largely succeeds: the film is an audio visual treat throughout—elegant, atmospheric, and stylish, with terrific music—and the lively pace and gruesome effects (the Phantom sews the skin of his victims to his face) ensure that boredom never sets in.Englund handles his role well, treading a fine line between sinister musical genius and deranged psycho killer, his Phantom both beguiling and frightening, while 80s scream queen Schoelen (The Stepfather, Popcorn) just looks adorable throughout, which is good enough for me.It may be criticised by many 'Phanatics' (as serious fans of POTO apparently call themselves) for playing it fast and loose with the original story, and for glorifying the violence, but I found Little's version of Phantom of the Opera to be a lot of fun (it's certainly more entertaining than Universal's overblown 1943 movie starring Claude Rains).

I saw this when it was first released on video, but I forgot just about all of it as the years went by. Finding a DVD rental copy at my local video store, I decided to give it another glance.There are some good things about this Menahem Golan production, which he made shortly after splitting from his producer cousin Yoram Globus. First, the movie looks very nice. Granted, some scenes are obvious backlots, and there are not a lot of "wide" shots (probably due to the movie's low budget), but the cinematography makes everything look more expensive than it was. Also, I thought the performances were good. Robert Englund wisely subdues his acting for the most part so he doesn't come across as a Freddy Kruger wannabe.But the movie has some problems. First, the story moves very slowly - possibly due to the fact that there isn't a lot of story here. Also, the characters of the Phantom and Christine were pretty thin - you don't get to learn much about their backgrounds, and they come across as pretty one-note. Also, some cuts that were made to the movie in order to secure an "R" rating are pretty evident.Not really a bad movie, just a mediocre one overall. It does pass the time, but that's about all.

I have to preface this review by saying that I am a big Robert England fan, from his work with Jan Michael Vincent in "BUSTER AND BILLIE" and "BIG Wednesday", to of course the Nightmare on Elmstreet films. It was great to see Robert in something where he could actually act on screen for a long time!! The trouble with many of the Nightmare movies is Freddy's role becomes less and less. I think Robert was waiting to chew up the screen (so to speak) in this movie. He really gets to show what good actor he is!! Along with displaying his incredibly amazing ability to disappear behind makeup. It's almost like this movie was made as a tribute to Englund/Freddy! The makeup he wears is very like Freddy makeup, and his body language/acting is excellent in this also. I really like the end (in the modern time - 80's) where the 'director' end up being Robert without makeup! (Just like Wes Craven would do in the later 90's Nightmare movie with Heather Langenkamp.) The costumes are also outstanding - especially England's Masque of Red Death outfit! It is a bit bloody - its close to slasher moments here may turn off a few folks. But if you are looking for a fun, Gothic, 80's, slasher/drama, this is great!