Review of Phantom of the Opera

I'm enjoying this version more and more each time I see it. My only real problem are the Opera scenes, which are rough for a non-fan like myself to squirm through if he is to give this film its proper chance (I don't believe in forwarding through scenes in films). Claude Rains is very good in his role in that he's able to make us feel sympathetic toward his Phantom, yet still manages to be hauntingly effective in his misdeeds. I like the idea that we get to see a lot of him before his disfiguring accident this time around (something lacking in the Chaney version). This new "origin" for the character works extremely well, too. As a frustrated composer done wrong and becoming scarred in the bargain, it provides strong motivation for why the Phantom is haunting - of all things - an Opera House. The makeup of the Phantom is on the stingy side, but I love the look of the mask he wears to hide the deformity. I also love the Technicolor, especially on the Universal DVD. *** out of ****