CATS movie review

            In 1998, the movie “CATS,” based on the musical, went straight to VHS, and in 2001, it came to DVD. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical, based on the book, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Elliot, is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s third musical made movie. In this movie/musical the one song that will melt anyone’s heart is “Memory.”
            The movie has many actors and actresses which include famous West End actress and singer Elaine Paige as Grizabella, John Mills as Gus the Theater Cat, Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, West End actor John Patridge as Rum Tum Tugger and original “CATS” Jellyorum, Susan Jane Tanner reprising her role. The entire cast is made of people who can do expert dancing and singing, the only exception being Grizabella, Old Deuteronomy, Bustopher Jones, and Gus the Theater Cat.

I grew up watching this movie; it was actually the first Andrew Lloyd Webber movie I ever watched. When I was a kid I would dance to it. As I grew older I learned to appreciate the dancing, make-up and costumes for this movie as well as in the musical itself. That being said I love this movie, great cast, great singing, great dancing and an overall great movie for all ages.

I highly agree with this reviewer, because of the positivity that is given for this wonderful, timeless classic.

Phantom of the Opera (2004 movie) review

In 2004, the movie “The Phantom of the Opera” came to theaters, and then to DVD in 2005. It is not the first time there has been an adaption of the book by Gaston Leroux, but it is the first to be based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical.
The movie cast has Gerald Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. While Butler only had two voice lessons before taking on the role, Rossum had been singing since she was 7 years old and got the role for the movie at the age of 16. Wilson had already been on Broadway productions such as “Oklahoma,” and he was the only of the three main character actors to have seen the play.
Because Gerald Butler is good-looking, he was widely criticized for portraying a “sexy Phantom,” his singing was criticized as well.
Growing up with this movie since the age of 12, I like it. I thought Gerald Butler sang really well. Emmy Rossum is an inspiration to me for taking on a demanding role at a young age. When I listen to Patrick Wilson now, it is clear he had the more trained voice of the three.
Fun fact: Ramin Karimloo (the original “Love Never Dies” Phantom/25^th anniversary Phantom) had a cameo as Christine’s father in the movie and was playing Raoul in the musical at the time.
Usually I tend to somewhat agree with “The Phantom Reviewer,” but this is the one case I do not. I do, however, agree about the deformity, which looks like a burn.