The Eternal Fantasy under the Mask-Ode to the Movie "Phantom of the Opera (2004)"

Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film was also produced and co-written by Lloyd Webber. The Phantom of the Opera stars Gerard Butler in the title role, Emmy Rossum as Christine Daaé, as well as Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver and Jennifer Ellison.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler

Phantom Of The Opera 2004 Movie Soundtrack from Jason on Vimeo.

Dear the Movie “Phantom of the Opera”

How is it even possible that you were created, you magmum opus? How is it that a masterpiece scenario met the greatest actors and singers of the time and made our dream come true? How could I be so fortunate to have the honor to encounter your magnificence? You are a true miracle. You are a true masterpiece. You are a true fantasy of all musicians and actors and directors and, mostly, of course, the viewers. You are the wonders of history; you are the legacy of the past, the present, and the future. I don’t deserve the desire to demonstrate your beauty or describe your details, but I would definitely delineate that your creation was a gift to mankind. Some would think that I am exaggerating: excessively exalting you by only emphasizing your good characteristics, but there are reasons why I euphorically eulogize my experience of you.

The first time I met one of your family members was at Broadway-did you know? I assume that even you aren’t really sure of who’s in your family tree and who’s not, since it has grown so big: from on-stage musicals to books, dramas, songs, and finally to you (movies). My first encounter with your gigantic family happened last year during the Vision Trip, with your great-great grandfather(musical). (Yes, the one who is the origin of your humongous family, the one who lies at the apex of the tree, and the one who’s now had been alive for several hundreds of years-that is who I am referring to.) I know, it’s a bit too late for someone who would like to claim that he possesses at least a sense of artistic appreciation; it’s embarrassing, I admit that. However, to tell you the truth, I was reluctant to further acquaint with anybody of your kind; I realize now that it’s foolish to make a hasty generalization of a whole species when I’d only met few of the members, but frankly, CATS was too unsatisfactory, too uninspiring, and too unimpressive! In fact, since CATS had disappointed me far too much before, I was expecting utter disappointment from your ancestor, too; my apologies.

However, instead, I found myself completely moved after watching the show. Your grandpa was my life-changing experience that inspired, uplifted, and enlightened my benighted heart. I felt utmost pleasure at the fantastic performance-the performers’ capacity to seize me and freely control my emotions at their will. I felt joy when the musical was joyous; I felt sorrow when the musical was to be sorrowful. All in all, I was fascinated by this new experience; your predecessor’s categorical charm chained me within his grasp, and I couldn’t break free from his lingering imagery even after many days had passed. They had completely “captured” me: the acts, the scenes, the songs-yes, the songs-left so much of an impression that my desire to feel the pleasure once again became so great.
When I had returned to Korea, my lust to experience the artistic ecstasy that I did with your grandfather once more had grown so large that I began “googling” your family history. Ah, and glory to the marvels of technology! After repeatedly failed attempts, I finally succeeded in acquiring you! We were meant to be, my dear, for I am downright positive that our destiny was pre-destined to overlap. Just when I was about to give up, over all the fabricated files and fragmented songs, I coincidentally discovered you-alas, it was serendipity! You wouldn't imagine how delighted I was when I had finally found you at the end of my long conquest.

And soon after, I clicked on your icon twice-the gateway that connected me with you, and I began watching you “perform” with my pounding heart. Do you remember how silent I was? Do you remember my astonished face, fascinated in awe when suddenly the chandelier illuminated and you played your theme song “Phantom of the Opera?” Boy, I was surely surprised back then; you were really something. I mean, I already presumed that you would be “something” since your origins themselves are noble to begin with, but what was truly amazing was that you were “something more” than even the show in Broadway. Your casting was perfect, your presentation was wonderful, your organization was splendid, your illustration was impressive, your transition was brilliant, your songs were unbelievable, your pace was marvelous, your powers were powerful, and you-were-impressive. My, my, am I making you too nervous? I hope you don’t interpret my exaltation as an attempt to flatter you. I was honestly, genuinely, touched-at-the heart by you; I can even now draw pictures of Christine Daae singing “Angel of Music” and “Think of me” or the Phantom singing the “Phantom of the Opera” and “Music of the Night” in my head. And when the songs were sung as a duo or a chorus, they were even better. The harmonious ensemble constituted of countless beautiful voices perpetually resonated in my heart. However, you couldn’t have become a living legend only because of the songs you sung; the way you delivered them, through sincerely immersed emotions and entangling them with a sad scenario, was another contributing factor to your everlasting fame in everyone’s minds-my mind. Your every line, every verse reflected ardent emotions, encompassing affection, care, fear, hatred, sorrow, yearning, disgust, haughtiness, and a variety of others. And due to such vivid portrayals of the feelings of characters, each and every one of the characters seemed “alive”; they each seemed to have possessed their own uniqueness, or conspicuous characteristics, which created liveliness and authenticity. Such verisimilitude is vital to absorb the audience, and that is what you contained to differentiate yourself from your rivals.

I could easily empathize with the Phantom’s grief, sorrow, fury, jealousy, distorted passion, desire to possess, twisted love; I was in Daae’s shoes when she felt the desire to meet the Phantom, the desire to become happy, the desire to escape from her fate and ordeals, and the desire to ask for guidance. You kept me focused, and I adore you for that.

However, despite all the aforementioned attractive features, your most valuable quality still remains; that is perpetuity. The fact that you are a movie, not a musical, is what makes you possess a historical value. Unlike the other members of your family, you last forever. I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch the musical “Phantom of the Opera” after 50 years; the show might not be popular enough to attract new viewers and disappear from the theater; even if it survives, the casting and performance would change over time, and we might not be able to feel the same astonishment, the same enthusiasm as we did years before. However, you-you are different. You will remain the same, preserving your glorious and enchanting old self, even if centuries are to pass by. You will maintain your powers forever, and I could rejoice being overwhelmed by your irresistible charms once again.

And this is why I praise you, oh Phantom of the Opera! That is why I chose you, over millions of other options, to dedicate this long ode to. And my admiration is unconditional. I ask of you nothing else than to remain as who you are in my C drive until the day comes we’ll have to part. I revere you, I worship you-you are my idol! I can’t imagine my daily routine without you know, for I will play you over and over again whenever that melody from the “Angel of Music” resounds inside my head. Even now, I am listening to your voice as I’m expressing my devotion towards you.
You are my legend. You are my Angel of Music. You are my guide and guardian (lyrics from the song). Grant to me your glory (also lyrics from the song), and let me resign in ecstasy eternally.

*And you, who is reading this ode; please, do allow yourself the opportunity to experience excessive pleasure-go watch the Phantom of the Opera.