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This first theatrical outing for the ubiquitous Olsen twins is their take on The Parent Trap meets The Prince and the Pauper. One plays a foster child under the care of a single social worker (Kirstie Alley) whose marital status prevents her from adopting her favorite charge. The other is the neglected daughter of a "bazillionaire" (Steve Guttenberg), who's about to marry a gold-digging socialite (played nastily by Jane Sibbett, Ross's first ex-wife on TV's Friends). The foster kid comes to a charity camp abutting the rich girl's summer estate and--presto--the identical strangers meet, hatch a plan to solve both their dilemmas, and switch identities. Directed by Andy Tennant (Ever After), this PG-rated film features some decent G-rated chemistry between Alley and Guttenberg and surprisingly uncloying performances by Mary-Kate and Ashley. The rating is for mild language. (Ages 5 and up) --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (50)

A fun family movie
Amanda lives in an orphanage where her only real friend is her social worker. Alyssa is the only child of a multi-millionaire. But one summer, they meet by accident and hatch a daring plan. They switch places and try to get Amanda's social worker and Alyssa's dad to fall in love before he marries an awful woman. But when the fiancée figures out what's going on, can the girls pull it off?

Granted, this movie is a variation of The Parent Trap. And while there were a few unexpected twists, there really isn't anything new to the plot. But the movie is incredibly fun. The first time I saw it I laughed so hard it hurt, and I was in college at the time. The movie creates humor from the premise, sometimes setting up jokes well ahead of the punch line. The Olsens do a good job with the acting. It's fun watching them basically play each other. The adults do a fabulous job with their rolls, making it easy to get lost in this world.

I have shared this movie with many friends since I first saw it, and they all enjoyed it. I highly recommend this entertaining film.

Fun, fun, fun!
This is my favorite Olsen Twins movie, and I'm an adult who can honestly say she enjoys it. I grew up on Full House and have always loved watching those two. They've done a lot of movies, and this one is my favorite. Supported by the charming Steve Guttenberg, the extremely funny Kirstie Alley, and a supporting cast that includes Philip Bosco as the sly and smart butler and Jane Sibbett as Clarice, the snooty, evil-plotting fiance of Guttenberg's character, this movie is sure to please any fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley. So the story goes kind of like this: look-alikes Amanda and Alyssa (Mary-Kate and Ashley, respectively) literally bump into each other while at a summer camp (that Amanda's a camper at and that Alyssa's extremely rich father happens to own). Once the two realize how closely they resemble each other, they hatch a plan to get Alyssa's single dad and Amanda's pretty caseworker romantically involved. Will they succeed, amidst foodfights, canoes falling over, and the interference of the conniving Clarice? This is a fun movie from beginning to end, with lots of visual treats (Andy Tennant Films--Fools Rush In, Ever After, etc.--always seem to have beautiful scenery), funny dialogue, and fantastic characters. There's exactly one slightly objectionable word (spoken by one of the Olsens), but I think only very conservative parents will have a problem with it. This movie is part Parent Trap, part Three Men And A Little Lady, and . . . basically just a really cute movie.

Double Your Viewing Pleasure With The Olsen TwinS :)
Even though i am NOT one for remakes.And this is a remake of the
classic Disney movie "The Parent Trap" but underneath a different name.This is one remake that is even better the original.The Olsen Twins are these days' Shirley Temple.Both on screen and the way they conduct themselves.We have gotten to meet them and trust me they are the same in real life.We been fans of the TwinS since fuLL house days.I only have to warn parents of one thing in this movie that Mary-Kate does suprise the viewer with the use of a somewhat "dirty word".I would tell you what it is but it would most likely not get posted.Its P*SSED.Ok from that you can tell.
If you don't want your kids hearing that then stay away.But remember they hear that and worse then that in school and can't stop them from going to school.But most importantly the TwinS deliver in this movie.We have been blessed now with 18 years of their sweetness and talent.We wish them all the best they deserve all that they got.And when child stars turn out as they did that is more then an achievement.Don't miss this movie.And as for the Twins this is their best and that is saying a lot.Sit back relax and laugh and enjoy and double your viewing pleasure with the Olsen TwinS : Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen......

Moi
The Movie isn't half bad. Kids will like it, but adults might be annoyed. To be perfectly honest, Ashley's acting is forced and very annoying at times; she sounds like she's trying to have a British accent, but fails.. Mary-Kate does a fine job. It's really hard to believe that Steve Gutenburg would pick Kirstie Alley over his fiance, too.
If you really like the Olsen Twins, then you'll like this movie. If you aren't, then don't go into this movie with high hopes.

Charming!
I'm not a hardcore Mary-Kate and Ashley fan but I'm not one of their haters and I actually like them, have liked them ever since Full House. I think It Takes Two is a sweet charming movie and I agree that it's like The Parent Trap meets The Prince and the Pauper and I'm surprised that not many people seem to have noticed The Prince and the Pauper angle of this story. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were pretty good and Steve Guttenberg and Kirstie Alley were good too and fans of the NBC sitcom friends will notice Jane Sibbet as Steve Guttenberg's nasty fiance. She plays Ross's first ex-wife on Friends. I would like for me and my family to have this charmer on DVD but Amazon doesn't list what the aspect ratio is and from experience I have found that usually means the DVD is edited into a pan and scanned format and I would rather have widescreen. ... Read more

Description

This production, starring David Staller and Elizabeth Walsh, is not the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Phantom of the Opera combines a romantically enticing book, which follows closely to the original novel, plus a bright musicalscore by Lawrence Rosen and Paul Schierhorn that ranges from pop to traditional musical-comedy styling. Thus, the Hirshfield Theater has created a dramatically new musical comedy. From the opening dream ballet depicting the young heroine, Christine, to her susceptibility to the mad Victorian Phantom (who oozes a sinister charm), Ken Kurtz's settings evoke all the mystery and color of this classic story of love and terror. From theParis Opera House to the catacombs of the Phantom's Lair, "The Phantom of the Opera," filmed before a live audience, brings to life Gaston Leroux's 1911 classic novel like no other musical production in the history of stage and screen. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

As Close to the Original As I've Seen
I watched the VHS version of this, and while I didn't find the music too impressive, I was still moved by the performances that Staller and Walsh gave. I would have liked to see Walsh perform Christine in the Lloyd-Webber version. Staller's version of the phantom was poignant, and I loved the fact that, as in Leroux's book, there was more of an attraction between Christine and Phantom in this version than in Lloyd-Webbers. Additionally, Christine is portrayed as being more, well...intelligent in this version. Her character is less of a wilting violet ready to run to the arms of the nearest man for safety. At one point she even engages the Phantom in a sort of philosophical debate while in his lair!
For pitchfork wielding purists, this version is as close to the original novel as I've seen. The character of the Persian is included, and many of the smaller details excluded in the Lloyd-Webber version are included here(i.e. the phantom appearing at the ball, Don Juan Triumphant never actually having been performed, the relationship between the Persian and the Phantom).
Missing was the chandelier scene, and the ending is a rather blatant departure from the novel, but given the fact that it appears they were working with a limited scenery budget, the fact that they couldn't design a mirrored room and use live scorpions is understandable.
As for the other characters, I enjoyed the humor incorporated into Carlotta's character, a sort of comic relief that is just that- a relief from the dark themes of the story. However, I was thoroughly disappointed in Raoul's performance; one was inclined to think he was suffering from strained vocal cords-he sounded like a dying cat!
All in all, I feel it has great potential, and is a must see for Phantom Phans.

Interesting...
I have to say that Erik's character was wonderful. He had all of the arrogance and sense of humor that he should have. david Staller's laugh is exactly what I would imagine Erik's to sound like. His make-up job was superb. For that reason alone any phan should at least watch this movie. It takes a moment to put aside the sets and poor music, but it's not a bad movie. the opening scene is very...interesting...but don't let it make you press "stop". madame giry's forehead may frighten you. One great thing about this version is the Persian!! yay daroga!! It was great to finally have that character after ALW got rid of him! Unfortunatley, the scene in which Christine chooses between Erik and Raoul is highly emotionless. ALW makes you cry, but not this. And the hand holding in place of a a kiss is highly unsatisfying. I, personaly, am not a huge fan of OW (other woman) stories, so I didn't care all that much for the ending.

Overall, the movie is good enough. It won't scar you for life or anything, and the unmasking scene is moving. I'd say definitley watch it, but maybe you should rent it before buying.

a nice try
I am a big Phantom fan, and not just of the Weber version, so I was excited about this. The actors were good and the costumes and sets were very well done, and be aware this is a stage production and not a movie, so it is a little different. Alas, the music was very disappointing. It seemed that everything was professional, but the music was community theatre at best. Maybe even high school (not to diminish either). But like I said the actors are very good. It is a pity they didn't have more to work with. Don't let this be the only phantom you see. I really like the Robert Englund movie. Yes it is violent and gory at times, but it has the music that this one should have had. Also don't forget Weber. His music also fulfills in ways this cannot.

Not what I hoped
A friend of mine lent this to me. I recently became a Phan, and I'm trying to get my hands on every version out there. I understood very well from the beginning that this was not the Lloyd Webber version we all know and worship. The only redeeming thing I found about this other stage version, however, is that the beginning explains more about Christine and Raoul and how they met.

I thought this particular version missed the entire point of the story. I was very disappointed with the ending. The sets were very elementary, and I didn't find the music all that stimulating. Maybe I've just been spoiled with the Lloyd Webber Phantom, but I wouldn't recommend this to diehard phans who like the story the way it should be.

phunny phantom
This is not the Andrew Llyod Webber Version. But you should know that by looking at the cover. This version instead brings out more humor than other versons that focus on horror. If you take it for what it is you will not be disappointed in the least. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

A fun family movie
Amanda lives in an orphanage where her only real friend is her social worker. Alyssa is the only child of a multi-millionaire. But one summer, they meet by accident and hatch a daring plan. They switch places and try to get Amanda's social worker and Alyssa's dad to fall in love before he marries an awful woman. But when the fiancée figures out what's going on, can the girls pull it off?

Granted, this movie is a variation of The Parent Trap. And while there were a few unexpected twists, there really isn't anything new to the plot. But the movie is incredibly fun. The first time I saw it I laughed so hard it hurt, and I was in college at the time. The movie creates humor from the premise, sometimes setting up jokes well ahead of the punch line. The Olsens do a good job with the acting. It's fun watching them basically play each other. The adults do a fabulous job with their rolls, making it easy to get lost in this world.

I have shared this movie with many friends since I first saw it, and they all enjoyed it. I highly recommend this entertaining film.

Fun, fun, fun!
This is my favorite Olsen Twins movie, and I'm an adult who can honestly say she enjoys it. I grew up on Full House and have always loved watching those two. They've done a lot of movies, and this one is my favorite. Supported by the charming Steve Guttenberg, the extremely funny Kirstie Alley, and a supporting cast that includes Philip Bosco as the sly and smart butler and Jane Sibbett as Clarice, the snooty, evil-plotting fiance of Guttenberg's character, this movie is sure to please any fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley. So the story goes kind of like this: look-alikes Amanda and Alyssa (Mary-Kate and Ashley, respectively) literally bump into each other while at a summer camp (that Amanda's a camper at and that Alyssa's extremely rich father happens to own). Once the two realize how closely they resemble each other, they hatch a plan to get Alyssa's single dad and Amanda's pretty caseworker romantically involved. Will they succeed, amidst foodfights, canoes falling over, and the interference of the conniving Clarice? This is a fun movie from beginning to end, with lots of visual treats (Andy Tennant Films--Fools Rush In, Ever After, etc.--always seem to have beautiful scenery), funny dialogue, and fantastic characters. There's exactly one slightly objectionable word (spoken by one of the Olsens), but I think only very conservative parents will have a problem with it. This movie is part Parent Trap, part Three Men And A Little Lady, and . . . basically just a really cute movie.

Double Your Viewing Pleasure With The Olsen TwinS :)
Even though i am NOT one for remakes.And this is a remake of the
classic Disney movie "The Parent Trap" but underneath a different name.This is one remake that is even better the original.The Olsen Twins are these days' Shirley Temple.Both on screen and the way they conduct themselves.We have gotten to meet them and trust me they are the same in real life.We been fans of the TwinS since fuLL house days.I only have to warn parents of one thing in this movie that Mary-Kate does suprise the viewer with the use of a somewhat "dirty word".I would tell you what it is but it would most likely not get posted.Its P*SSED.Ok from that you can tell.
If you don't want your kids hearing that then stay away.But remember they hear that and worse then that in school and can't stop them from going to school.But most importantly the TwinS deliver in this movie.We have been blessed now with 18 years of their sweetness and talent.We wish them all the best they deserve all that they got.And when child stars turn out as they did that is more then an achievement.Don't miss this movie.And as for the Twins this is their best and that is saying a lot.Sit back relax and laugh and enjoy and double your viewing pleasure with the Olsen TwinS : Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen......

Moi
The Movie isn't half bad. Kids will like it, but adults might be annoyed. To be perfectly honest, Ashley's acting is forced and very annoying at times; she sounds like she's trying to have a British accent, but fails.. Mary-Kate does a fine job. It's really hard to believe that Steve Gutenburg would pick Kirstie Alley over his fiance, too.
If you really like the Olsen Twins, then you'll like this movie. If you aren't, then don't go into this movie with high hopes.

Charming!
I'm not a hardcore Mary-Kate and Ashley fan but I'm not one of their haters and I actually like them, have liked them ever since Full House. I think It Takes Two is a sweet charming movie and I agree that it's like The Parent Trap meets The Prince and the Pauper and I'm surprised that not many people seem to have noticed The Prince and the Pauper angle of this story. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were pretty good and Steve Guttenberg and Kirstie Alley were good too and fans of the NBC sitcom friends will notice Jane Sibbet as Steve Guttenberg's nasty fiance. She plays Ross's first ex-wife on Friends. I would like for me and my family to have this charmer on DVD but Amazon doesn't list what the aspect ratio is and from experience I have found that usually means the DVD is edited into a pan and scanned format and I would rather have widescreen. ... Read more