I like the soundtrack and the movie. I also have the Original London Recording with Micheal. The first Phantom I ever heard was Micheal Crawford. I listened to the OLC for about 3 weeks straight. I wasn't a "Phan" until the recording and the movie.

At first, when I heard Gerard, I was wondering what I was hearing and turned it off. He sounded weaker then MC and his voice not as smooth. Strangely, (this was Down Once more/Track down this murderer) I wanted to hear more as soon as I turned it off so I turned it back on. I ended up liking it, and the movie added the visuals. (PONR was very interesting. temperture rose up.)

To me, Gerard does a good job as the Phantom. Just listening to the soundtrack alone though, it gets a 9.4/10 because some parts sound strange without some visuals, like when Gerard shouts "depths of hell." (Hey. Phantom was suppose to be angry since his plan didn't work out. The shouting part worked in the movie. MO.) But with the movie, 10/10 (except they really needed to take out the flamenco dancers and that midget.) Gerard was great IMO. He got the feelings out (ooo the eyes!) and his acting was very good. I can't really compare Gerard to Micheal now because their interpretations seem different. Gerard got the victim/angry side of Phantom, and Micheal got the romantic side but on the recording he didn't sound really angry when needed.
I think Gerard's a baritone and Micheal's a tenor, so it's like comparing apples and oranges.

Sarah Brightman's no Christine for me. Her voice hurt my ears and it vibrates a lot. I couldn't understand what she was singing half the time until I got some lyrics. I prefer Emmy Rossum to her anytime though her voice did sounded a bit weaker in places. But I still like Emmy better.

As for the Raoul character, it didn't matter to me who was Raoul too much. Patrick Wilson did a good job though.

Carlotta. The dubbed voice done by Margaret Peerce was alright.

aaannnddd everyone else on the soundtrack: an excellent job. especially the person who did Meg and the managers.

So I'll have to disagree with the review. but that's just my opinion.