Phantom of the Paradise" is not really a horror film per se, but a cult favorite in the same group as "Rocky Horror Picture Show." If you liked that movie, you might like this one too. However, I have never been a fan of "Rocky Horror" nor am I a fan
--George
Phantom of the Paradise
Directors: Brian De Palma
Producers: Edward R. Pressman
Writers: Brian De Palma
Features: Anamorphic Widescreen; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection; Theatrical Trailer; Audio: English Stereo, French Mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish
Characters:
Swan - Paul Williams
Winslow Leach/The Phantom - William Finley
Phoenix - Jessica Harper
Genre: Horror
Review:
"Phantom of the Paradise" is not really a horror film per se, but a cult favorite in the same group as "Rocky Horror Picture Show." If you liked that movie, you might like this one too. However, I have never been a fan of "Rocky Horror" nor am I a fan of this film either.
This DVD is not really spectacular in sound or picture, nor are there commentaries to explain some of the bizarre choices the director uses. It is a 70's rendition of Faust and the Phantom of the Opera, but with less catchy songs. The whole thing just didn't appeal to me.
The story begins with Winslow Leach (Finley) trying to get his music published. He goes to a recording executive Swan (Williams) to get noticed. Swan likes Leach's music, but not him. So he steals the music and has Winslow locked up in prison on trumped up charges. Swan then plans to use the music to open his new rock hall, The Paradise.
Winslow tries to get his music back with the help of Phoenix (Harper) a young, "up-and-coming" singer. He tries to break into the record studio, but gets his face burned while trying to stop the record press. He runs off into the river, and we don't hear from him for awhile.
Swan has a lot of hype going into the Paradise, and everything is going well till the Phantom starts mucking things up for him. From here it is your basic "Phantom of the Opera" storyline, with a bit of "Faust" thrown in for originality. Like I said, this may be some people's cup of tea, but it wasn't mine at all.
I would rate this movie two stars out of 5, and recommend that only those that like "Rocky Horror" to actually view this one. I know it is supposed to be a cult film, but I don't want to have anything to do with that particular cult phenomenon.
---George Castillo