I think I love this

Ive had this DVD ever since it came out last year but I finally watched it twice. I really think I love it with a few objections. I have read POTO plus probably every published sequel ever written. I was an obsessive phan at one point! But I could see this as a plausible sequel. I loved Christine as a stronger character. I loved the scene where they sang "Beneath a Moonless Sky" <shiver>. I love that ALW incorporated some of the original score from POTO. It really made it feel like it was tied into his POTO stage production.

Objections:

Raoul's character. I've read enough Phantom to know that Raoul was usually portrayed as a whiny, immature boy. HOWEVER in ALW Phantom, he was basically a white knight, and as this is ALW sequel, I had a hard time swallowing that he was a gambling drunk who mistreated his wife and kid. I think if he was portrayed with a bit more class, the "Devil Take the Hindmost" scene would have meant more, because it would have shown that the Phantom really did rattle him.

Madam and especially Meg Giry. WTF? Were they in love with him? I could see them following him to NY and riding his coat tails to stardom, but to walk around 10 years looking for his approval? Puhleez. And Meg being jealous of Christine? In Paris, she was her biggest fan and encouraged her to continue her lessons with the Phantom.

Just my two cents. I'm off to listen to the music again :-)