A few thoughts: One of many adaptations of the classic romance/horror/tragedy, and while it isn't the worst around, it is far from the best thanks to several crucial flaws. For one, there are far too many long, drawn out opera scenes. It's fine to a degree, but then it becomes exhausting filler that gives me a headache after more than a few minutes. At 90~ minutes, they could have easily cut out 15 just from opera scenes and it would have still had plenty to spare. Second, while I enjoy their take on the Phantom's motivation and Rains' performance, the makeup work on his face is severely lacking. If this were more of an actual horror movie that would be a bigger problem, but the fact it wasn't really a horror movie at all becomes it's own issue. As for the production, it looks beautiful. It's a wonderfully photographed film with great looking sets and costumes, and the dialogue between the two men in the central love triangle is entertaining. I still much prefer the 1925 and 1962 versions, but this was still solid enough.
People who want to see a Universal classic in glorious technicolor! It's not really horror, but oh well. If you like the source material give it a shot.
My grade: C
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