> No one can be better than Michael Crawford in the role of the Phantom. No
> one. It's a guaranteed fact. He is a singularly gifted singer. His voice
> still makes me misty-eyed when I hear him. I agree that he should have
> been given the part instead of Gerard Butler for his talent alone, but
> there is something seductive about Butler's performance. What people seem
> to forget is that the emotion is more important than the training. Anger,
> seduction, pain, I could feel these things when Gerard Butler sang. He had
> his faults, yes, quite a few of them, but he makes up for it with his
> emotion.
> Still, Crawford is the best.

The only thing I want to say: I agree with this review of Mr. Batler's (and Crawford's ^_^) work totally.

Well, his performances in lyrical songs in the first half of the film were quite disappointing, but his angry roaring certainly 's perfect ^_^ . As well as the thrilling blending of emotions in the end.

Yes, I think that his singing was very good for the film, a great sound supporting the view and the acting.
But still -- as a separate thing -- OLC is without doubt incomparable and "the very best". At least because of Crawford, who's a lot like the original Eric: charming, ironic, with a considerable sence of humor and the Voice.

I only mean that "PofO 2005" is _just a soundtrack to the film_ (very nice, then again, only to bear in mind that there is ACTING the most important), while OLC is a certain musical composition, recorded for the musical-admirers.

I'm sure I didn't represented my opinion clearly, but excuse me). Just wanted to share my idea.

There was a frase at "Stacey's Musical Village" - "Being ANGEL OF MUSIC means you can sing, and Mr. Butler can not" - and that's true. But there still are so many fans of the film - because of acting.
Perhaps, Butler isn't an Angel of Music at all, but he souldn't. He's just - another.
And that's the matter of movie. Wanting to hear vocals - choose OLC.