The magic flute movie review 2023

From the time of its premiere in 1791, Mozart's final opera, The Magic Flute, has been captivating audiences with its enchanting music, testing the abilities of coloratura singers with its notoriously challenging arias, and bewildering those who try to make sense of its complex plot. It has also inspired conspiracy theories due to its numerous arcane Masonic symbols. The opera has been adapted in different languages and styles, including a Swedish version directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1975 and a World War I-era English version directed by Kenneth Branagh in 2006.

In this new international production directed by Florian Sigl, the story takes place in a music boarding school named after Mozart in the mountains. The students at the school are putting on a production of The Magic Flute, and the school has a secret passageway that leads to an actual magical world. Despite its grand vision, the production is unevenly produced. However, it benefits from intricate and beautiful production design by Christoph Kanter, particularly the interior of the school and the magical settings. Some of the showiest visuals in the enchanted landscape reflect the influence of producer Roland Emmerich, best known for effects-heavy blockbusters.

To make the 18th-century creation more accessible, the German libretto of Mozart's opera is loosely translated into English, and some of the singers are closer to pop than classical. Nevertheless, the Queen of the Night aria is performed by Sabine Devieilhe, an acclaimed diva who has played the same role with the Royal Opera of London. Her rendition of the thrilling aria is breathtaking, with her fabulous cloak floating up to the sky as if carrying her astonishing high notes. Morris Robinson, a professional opera singer, gives his rich, resounding bass notes to Sarastro, who is accused by the Queen of abducting the princess. Iwan Rheon provides comic relief as the lovesick Papageno.

The story revolves around Tim Walker, played by Jack Wolfe, who discovers the secret passageway to the magical world. He arrives late at the school because he was caring for his dying father, who gave him an old book of The Magic Flute, which he wants Tim to return. Tim meets Sophie (Niamh McCormack) on the train to the school's remote location in the mountains, but they do not see much of each other as the boy and girl students are kept separate. F. Murray Abraham plays the stern headmaster who lectures Tim on deportment and determinism, which may be a nod to his Oscar-winning role as Mozart's nemesis, Salieri, in "Amadeus." As Tim tries to catch up with the students who have been there since the start of the term, he does not pay much attention to his quiet roommate or the school bully, Anton (Amir Wilson), the son of a famous opera singer.

However, Tim's attention, and ours, is on what lies beyond the secret passageway. When he enters the passage, he becomes the central character in The Magic Flute, Prince Tamino. He is attacked by a gigantic serpent, befriended by the bird-catcher Papageno, and ordered by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter, Pamina, from the evil Sarastro. But when he finds Pamina, Tamino learns that the Queen has not been entirely truthful. The number three, an important Masonic symbol throughout the opera's story and score, is significant in the film as well. The passageway opens at 3:00 AM and lasts for three hours. There are three balls of light leading Tim into the passage, and they give him three pieces of advice. Three of the queen's ladies rescue Prince Tamino from a monster. He is joined