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Normally I would run full speed in the opposite direction of any place where I knew a musical was playing. Let's just say I'm not overly fond of movies with over 30% of their time spent bursting out in song. Occasional songs don't bother me and can often add value, but hours of joyful expression and uncanny dance choreography give me the creeps. It is particularly bothersome when not only the main character spouts a melody, but the entire scene turns into a ballet discotheque. Even the extras seem to know the tune and sing along. Aaaaaaah! Point. Narf. Egad.

There is the rare exception to this pet peeve. For instance, The Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think the difference that makes this movie and a few others stand out from the crowd is that they are not performed in the standard broadway archetype. No fancy makeup, bright lights or outlandish costumes. You don't feel like you are watching something staged. And no zany acrobatic dancing! In addition, I find it easier to connect with characters and feel their emotion when they are not empty-eyed singers. No real person walks around singing enthusiastically about the mundane things of life, and it is hard to connect with a person who isn't real. Who has the time to calculate their words into a rhythmic melody? I guess that's why I never really appreciated Shakespeare much. I prefer more authentic and natural performances, rather than the ostentatious. My hypothesis is that only an ostentatious person would use the word ostentatious, furthermore. The only reason I knew to use it is due to the miracle of free online thesaurus power ultra mania deluxe prime recherch?.

All day today I had a song stucco my head, and it was due to the fact that I didn't run from a musical last night. Instead, I watched one, The Phantom of the Opera. I figured that it has so much fame, and it is about time I discover why. Besides, it was recommended to me by a friend (you know who you are!). I was somewhat pleasantly surprised with the movie.

I am not a big fan of earth-shattering vibrato and indecipherable Italian, so normally I would not enjoy opera. I consider a voice with pure, clear tone to be highly beautiful. The Phantom of the Opera had some of both styles, but the primary mode of music was not insufferable. The operatic, super-vibrato singers in the movie were portrayed as egotistical and eccentric, while the main characters sang with more beauty and clarity.

The drama of The Phantom of the Opera was not overly natural, but being set in Paris around the turn of the 20th century, the rigidity and chivalry were in character. There was indeed enough character development to keep me in suspense during the critical moments. Normally in films like this, a large part of emotion is stirred to make the audience pity the underdog character and hope he gets the girl in the end (similar to Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame). In this case, however, the Phantom seemed to have a very small dose of good moral fiber, so I was relieved when he finally gave up on his greed, lust and jealousy - his only redeemable act in the film.

Though I would not consider myself a music connoisseur and certainly not a guru or even a musician, I have always had a deep appreciation for music. Music has a profound effect on my soul and has brought me through many a hard time in life. Watching The Phantom of the Opera reminded me of this appreciation.