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I would certainly call this a “melodic” score boingomusic. While there is a work around textures and some very good uses of electronics (others more debatable to be honest), this a mostly “theme and motif-driven” score; much more than what Hellboy II has offered us earlier this year for example. After 4 or 5 listens, the themes get obvious and if they are more dim than the themes in Big Fish, they grow on you quite easily.
This is certainly the work of a very experimented and mature composer who doesn’t need much instruments, effects or notes to reach the emotion he is seeking. Everything feels so simple with this score even though it hides a tremendous sense of balance.
You mentioned Charlotte’s Web and I consider this score to be the exact opposite of it : while his 2006 effort seemed too dramatic and “talkative”, Milk is all in economy with the exception of Harvey’s Theme that get quite Americana from time to time.
Of course, all we need now is to see how this plays within the film !
This was truly a marvellous year for us fans and I think it is time that the Academy gives the man a new nomination. We know he doesn’t care much about that (nor do we I think) but it could mean at least that they’d acknowledge that American film music shouldn’t be spelled without “Elfman” this year.
On a site note, I doubt that he will be nominated if the film itself doesn’t turn out to be a major Oscar contender…I got my copy yesterday. It’s definitely a good score that will certainly grow on me, like all Elfman’s 2008 efforts. It’s something between Big Fish, SOP and classic Elfman/Van Sant standards.
By the way, don’t be afraid when purchasing this in stores if the last two tracks are missing on the artwork : they are on the cd.Yes, he’s referring to guitars in The Kingdom and Wanted when he says that the first movie is more melodic than the last.
I’m actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of theses recordings. Sure, there are several clumsy arrangements (Beetlejuice) but it’ can be very similar to the original recordings…
Nobody mentioned the “Additional Music” credit given to Deborah Lurie and some other guy I don’t remember the name. I was quite surprised by this as I found that the cd was pretty representative of the music in the film (for once). Does someone have more informations on this ?
I think you DO notice great scores. You don’t have to notice the score to make it good but a great one will have its moments in the film where you know it’s there and lifting the images up. Think of The Ecstasy of Gold in The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Citizen Kane’s Overture or….the Attack of the Batwing in Batman 89 !
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike Zimmer/JNH approach for Nolan’s films but it lacks a real personality and an actual theme. Not a bombastic-hummable-in your face one but something more that the two-note motif they had in the first film.Too bad Big Fish is missing, it would have been interesting to hear their take on that score, even though I don’t like their orchestrations. I found them way too light and “easy-listening”. Therefore, Planet of the Apes’ absence is logic…
Agreed D-Bo. Composers have influences and sometimes actually steal (consciously or not) several bars from their predecessors and/or masters, that’s nothing new. Earlier I was listening to M. Williams’ wonderful score for SW Ep III and heard Bela Bartok wandering around for several seconds.
I don’t see how referencing all of them with the goal of pointing a lack of originality would be an interesting work . When I read (hear) that kind of comment, I just push the volume of my cd player up…This will start a very long, very passionate and very pointless debate. I’m not thanking you for that elfan.
Just kidding Dawg obviously. Thank you for sharing these greats moments of music.
I’d add Dimitri Shostakovich if I had to name an early 20th century composer that had a major influence on film scores. He actually composed several scores himself.I don’t know how to put a youtube video right into this message board, so here’s the link :
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yvvWSnnOU58
