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Every month Harry Knowles down at Aint it Cool news does his DVD picks for the month. This is what he wrote about Big Fish:
BIG FISH
I was a bit under whelmed by BIG FISH – but I own every Tim Burton film and will not have a hole in my collection. Besides – there’s aspects that I absolutely love about the film. I love the mint juleps in a porch swing pacing of the movie. I love Albert Finney, Ewan and the 2nd Bride of Kong. The lawn paved town is still one of the most poetically beautiful images I saw last year. It just didn’t blow me away like I had hoped, and I think that had a lot to do with Elfman’s score just feeling like a compose by numbers job. And I love Danny Elfman typically. The disc will be mine, but it isn’t the highest priority.I’m rather fond of Big Fish, and I don’t care what anyone else says about it. (Granted, I couldn’t stand one of the main characters–but the flashbacks alone are reason enough to purchase it). Yah! A movie about stories–I’m all for that.
Speaking of the DVD, will it have an isolated score on it?
No it won’t and no music featurette. Too bad.
Well, this might not be the kind of score that could be too easily “bigged-up” with those kinds of features… it’s on such unsure ground with Elfman and burton fans alike, and I think the “scoring by numbers” description suits it all too perfectly.
There’s nothing very Scissorhandsy to make a big deal of, here.>¦:o)
The JDoes anyone really give a damn about Harry Knowles’ opinion? He’s a sell-out. He’s as useful a critic as Clay Smith on ACCESS HOLLYWOOD!
Ryan
Very true, Ryan. Knowles is a twit; anyone who would change their opinions about an upcoming movie after being given a free set visit and claim that one had nothing to do with the other is dedfinitely a sellout. (Moriarty, however, is a really good writer, in my opinion.)
The funniest thing in the world is this story, written by comedy genius Brian Lynch, from the fake “Jay and SIlent Bob Strike Back” AICN parody site. Check it out, you can thank me after you’re finished dying of laughter:
I have seen Big Fish. I was awfully disappointed! My OPINION is weakest Burton`s movie! And Elfman simply has written the appropriate music for this weak film. Music does not represent anything especial. I completely agree with that that Oscar have given to G. Shore. His LOTR:ROTK was much better… Many times better than Elfman`s Big Fish…. I have said the opinion.
And still I want to say what be the fan it not so that simply. Because it is necessary to be able be objective. And if you like the composer… even if he very much is pleasant to you, it does not mean that he always deserves Oscar. And this time he has not deserved it. He has written music to weak film…. Result – weak music to weak film. It is insulting… But I have said the truth and many from you understand it…. I am sure that many in it simply will be afraid to admit.
And still I shall be repeated and I shall say – Elfman, THROW TO HELL ALL THESE ELECTRONIC STUFF And WRITE NORMAL SYMPHONIC MUSIC…. Do it as you did it earlier! You the perfect composer, you write perfect melodies, but what for you spoil by their electronics? Probably then you will receive Oscar…Are you 5?
No, he’s from Belarus, Dantz.
I’m sure that Elfman will take your advice. Artistry be damned, he should just roll over for the crowd.
I guess Harry Knowles was expecting a more emotional experience like the one he had during “Armageddon.” He cried a number of times during that one.
The thing that disgusts me about Harry Knowles is that he doesn’t really give us reviews, he gives us mile-long essays about his childhood and his emotions blah blah blah, and never any kind of a meaty review. If I’m lucky, I’m able to gauge his overall impression but that’s about it.
Not that I care about what any movie critic thinks, for that matter. And while I don’t think you have to be even remotely knowledgable about music to really enjoy it, after reading one of his breakdowns of a LOTR score, ANYTHING he writes about music makes me laugh.
I didn’t realize that the Big Fish score was on “shaky ground” with Elfman fans . . . I know that personally I dig it, but it’s not my favorite thing in the world. It’s subtle.
Big Fish isn’t my favorite score, but after a couple of listens and really paying attention to its subtle elements, I really think it’s pretty good. Not fantastic, but pretty good. This is just my opinion, but in reply to the comment by Alex from Belarus, I really don’t think that what little electronic sounds Elfman has in Big Fish actually detracts from it. Those modern sounds are what characterize him and distinguish his music from everyone else’s.
Agreed, D-Bo. Alex, you need to get with the times, man…electronic instruments are simply a tool for a composer to use, just like a violin, a tuba or a french horn.
Burt
Well, I’m not so stupid as to think Big Fish is fantastic just because Danny and Tim are involved–I happen to like it, because I like it–in my opinion, thanks so much. Likewise, I don’t think everything Danny does is perfect–I just think the vast majority of it is.
I do however, think it is a waste of time to base anything I like and/or dislike simply because of something someone else has said. Henceforth, I ignore critics–because when it comes right down to it, all they do is state their own opinion.
I saw Danny’s name, I posted the article. I apologize if anyone thought that I actually give a crap about his opinion. The only opinion I care about is my own. I liked Big Fish, but expected it to be much, much better, and I loved Danny’s score. Harry Knowles has a very different opinion on most movies than me. As a matter of fact, his opinion sucks.
For the best Harry Knowles review of all time, take a gander at his “Blade II” review. A warning: its for adults only.
I believe “Big Fish” is Tim Burton’s greatest achievement and one of Danny Elfman’s finest and most beautiful scores. It’s certainly the greatest film to be made in many, many years. Also, much of it seemed very European to me, recalling the great Italian director Federico Fellini. I guess it doesn’t seem like the kind of film a lot of people would like. But I must say it’s one of the finest films I’ve ever seen.
I didn’t care for the film “Big Fish.” However, I adore the score – it’s melancholy, which I absolutely dig.
-E
OK I havent seen Big FIsh and I cant wait but here u are all making bad reviews of it and its score. I liked the score a lot and it had a lot of great moments to it. Not Danny’s BEST but still very good (as with all of his music) I still cant wait to see the movie though. W/E!!!!!!!
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