History YMMV / ThePhantomOfTheOpera2004

** One scene has the Phantom lunging at Piangi [[spoiler:before killing him]]. With the way his cape looks alongside the way he jumps, he looks an awful lot like Batman. Director Joel Schumacher had previously worked on not one, but ''two'' Batman films: ''Film/BatmanForever'' and the infamous ''Film/BatmanAndRobin''.
** He looks an awful lot like Batman at the conclusion of "All I Ask Of You (Reprise)," too.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The Phantom gets a bit of this because of his AdaptationalAttractiveness. [[SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome The brilliant makeup used onstage for his deformity]] was not adapted to the screen, with his disfigurement here instead resembling really bad sunburn, as has been noted by detractors and even Website/ThisVeryWiki. Admittedly, it's still an unfortunate look, [[HollywoodHomely but it's nowhere near as grotesque and horrifying as the other versions]], which makes Erik removing himself from those around him and living in isolation feel like he's really overreacting to how bad it looks. [[{{Downplayed}} Granted]], he ''does'' have a tragic past relating to his appearance, and everyone acts just as horrified by it here as they do in the other versions. So while many viewers found this to be a case of InformedDeformity, it's still shown that he faces great prejudice over it InUniverse, which means while his self imposed isolation can be seen as {{Justified|Trope}}. [[DoubleSubversion Except]], it's also shown that Erik can cover it up perfectly with makeup when he appears with a mask covering less of his face, and the disfigured part looks perfectly normal. So it stands to reason that The Phantom would be able to cover up the rest of it as well, which means as long as he's careful, he could live amongst the rest of the world looking like Creator/GerardButler. So ultimately, while this version's deformity has caused him genuine pain, the big difference is he can solve his problem, but inexplicably doesn't, which makes it harder to CryForTheDevil.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The Phantom gets a bit of this because of his AdaptationalAttractiveness. [[SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome The brilliant makeup used onstage for his deformity]] was not adapted to the screen, with his disfigurement here instead resembling really bad sunburn, as has been noted by detractors and even Website/ThisVeryWiki. Admittedly, it's still an unfortunate look, [[HollywoodHomely but it's nowhere near as grotesque and horrifying as the other versions]], which makes Erik removing himself from those around him and living in isolation feel like he's really overreacting to how bad it looks. [[{{Downplayed}} Granted]], he ''does'' have a tragic past relating to his appearance, and everyone acts just as horrified by it here as they do in the other versions. So while many viewers found this to be a case of InformedDeformity, it's still shown that he faces great prejudice over it InUniverse, which means while his self imposed isolation can be seen as {{Justified}}. [[DoubleSubversion Except]], it's also shown that Erik can cover it up perfectly with makeup when he appears with a mask covering less of his face, and the disfigured part looks perfectly normal. So it stands to reason that The Phantom would be able to cover up the rest of it as well, which means as long as he's careful, he could live amongst the rest of the world looking like Creator/GerardButler. So ultimately, while this version's deformity has caused him genuine pain, the big difference is he can solve his problem, but inexplicably doesn't, which makes it harder to CryForTheDevil.

** Creator/CieranHinds and Creator/SimonCallow's portrayals of Firmin and Andre are also liked for providing excellent comic relief and playing up that aspect for the film.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Christine appears naïve and innocent most of the time. Behind all that cuteness, though, [[FakeCutie she has a mean streak]]. After snatching off the Phantom's mask the first time, she tries not to laugh while he is having a meltdown. Later, she agrees to bait him during the premiere of Don Juan Triumphant. In the meantime, Raoul watches her very convincing seduction in agony, wondering where her loyalties really lie. At the tenderest moment of the performance, she snatches off the Phantom's mask. Unfortunately, he then flies into a murderous rage, bringing down the chandelier and setting the opera house ablaze. Of course, she avoids being accused of impropriety in any of her dealings with the Phantom.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Fan favorite performances are Creator/MinnieDriver as La Carlotta, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Creator/MirandaRichardson as Madame Giry. Driver's Carlotta is considered among the best portrayal of the character to date, if not ''the'' best, Ellison - a trained ballerina - is praised for her dancing and physical movements, and Richardson for her gentler and kindler portrayal of Madame Giry along with the sole French accent in the film.
** The managers are also liked for being excellent comic relief and playing up that aspect for the film.

** The actor playing Christine's father, Ramin Karimloo, went on to play the Phantom in ''Theatre/LoveNeverDies'' (as well as in the 25th Anniversary Phantom show at the Royal Albert Hall) so in a way she was correct when she thought the Phantom was her father.

* WTHCastingAgency: Creator/GerardButler: a Phantom who isn't an experienced singer? Really? Then again, though he doesn't sing as well as most of the actors on Broadway or in London, there are those who feel Butler does pretty decently for someone without prior experience or formal training...though it still begs the question of why they would cast a non-singer in one of the most difficult singing roles in all of musical theater. Amazingly, guess who thought this choice was perfect? '''Creator/AndrewLloydWebber!''' He said that Butler's "rock star"-style singing was as close to how he imagined the Phantom to sound when he originally wrote the show.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Christine appears naïve and innocent most of the time. Behind all that cuteness, though, [[FakeCutie she has a mean streak]]. After snatching off the Phantom's mask the first time, she tries not to laugh while he is having a meltdown. Later, she agrees to bait him during the premiere of Don Juan Triumphant. In the meantime, Raoul watches her very convincing seduction in agony, wondering where her loyalties really lie. At the tenderest moment of the performance, she snatches off the Phantom's mask. Unfortunately, he then flies into a murderous rage, bringing down the chandelier and setting the opera house ablaze. Of course, [[KarmaHoudini she avoids being accused of impropriety in any of her dealings with the Phantom]].

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Christine appears young, naïve, and innocent most of the time. Behind all that cuteness, though, [[FakeCutie she has a mean streak]]. After snatching off the Phantom's mask the first time, she tries not to laugh while he is having a meltdown. Later, she agrees to bait him during the premiere of Don Juan Triumphant. In the meantime, Raoul watches her very convincing seduction in agony, wondering where her loyalties really lie. At the tenderest moment of the performance, she snatches off the Phantom's mask. Unfortunately, he then flies into a murderous rage, bringing down the chandelier and setting the opera house ablaze. Of course, she avoids being accused of impropriety in any of her dealings with the Phantom.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The Phantom gets a bit of this because of his AdaptationalAttractiveness. [[SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome The brilliant makeup used onstage for his deformity]] was not adapted to the screen, with his disfigurement here instead resembling really bad sunburn, as has been noted by detractors and even Website/ThisVeryWiki. Admittedly, it's still an unfortunate look, [[HollywoodHomely but it's nowhere near as grotesque and horrifying as the other versions]], which makes Erik removing himself from those around him and living in isolation feel like he's really overreacting to how bad it looks. [[{{Downplayed}} Granted]], he ''does'' have a tragic past relating to his appearance, and everyone acts just as horrified by it here as they do in the other versions. So while many viewers found this to be a case of InformedDeformity, it's still shown that he faces great prejudice over it InUniverse, which means while his self imposed isolation can be seen as {{Justified}}. [[DoubleSubversion Except]], it's also shown that Erik can cover it up perfectly with makeup when he appears with a mask covering less of his face, and the disfigured part looks perfectly normal. So it stands to reason that The Phantom would be able to cover up the rest of it as well, which means as long as he's careful, he could live amongst the rest of the world looking like Creator/GerardButler. So ultimately, while this version's deformity has caused him genuine pain, the big difference is he can solve his problem, but doesn't, which makes it harder to CryForTheDevil.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Fan favorite performances are Creator/MinnieDriver as La Carlotta, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Creator/MirandaRichardson as Madame Giry. Driver's Carlotta is considered the hammiest and funniest portrayal of the character to date, Ellison - a trained ballerina - is praised for her dancing and physical movements, and Richardson for her gentler and kindler portrayal of Madame Giry along with the sole French accent in the film.

** The managers are also liked for being excellent comic relief and playing up that aspect for the film, even tossing a few extra lines and lyrics while they're at it.

** The managers are also liked for being excellent comic relief and playing up that aspect for the film.

** The managers are also played for being excellent comic relief and playing up that aspect for the film.

* BrokenBase: The movie ''sharply'' divided fans of the show over plot changes and cast quality issues. However, most fans agree that movie revived interest in the show itself, ''because'' people either loved or hated it and wanted to see what it had been based on--there had supposedly been plans to close the Broadway show before ticket sales resurged in the wake of the movie's release.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Fan favorite performances are Creator/MinnieDriver as La Carlotta, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Creator/MirandaRichardson as Madame Giry. Driver's Carlotta is considered the hammiest and funniest portrayal of the character to date, Ellison is praised for her dancing and physical movements, and Richardson for her gentler and kindler portrayal of Madame Giry along with the sole French accent in the film.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Fan favorite performances are Creator/MinnieDriver as La Carlotta, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Creator/MirandaRichardson as Madame Giry. Driver's Carlotta is widely considered the hammiest portrayal of the character to date, Ellison is praised for her dancing and physical movements, and Richardson for her gentler and kindler portrayal of Madame Giry along with the sole French accent in the film.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Fan favorite performances are Creator/MinnieDriver as La Carlotta, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Creator/MirandaRichardson as Madame Giry. Driver's Carlotta is widely considered the hammiest portrayal of the character to date, Ellison is praised for her dancing and physical movements, and Richardson for her gentler and kindler portrayal of Madame Giry.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: All over the place, naturally, given that this is an ALW musical. Standouts, however, include a glorious(ly hilarious) version of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBUlPqaVj88 Prima Donna]]" (featuring English operatic star Margaret Preece as Carlotta's singing voice) and perennial Broadway heartthrob Creator/PatrickWilson duetting on "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ANIgZLZQ8 All I Ask of You]]".