Arthur Christmas
Harry Gregson-Williams
" Harry wishes you an enjoyable Christmas "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Arthur Christmas is a lovely computer animation film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Aardman Animations (the people that gave us Wallace & Gromit, Flushed Away and Chicken Run). No wonder then they chose Harry Gregson-Williams to compose the music for Arthur Christmas (considering he did the last 2 for Aardman Animations). Now looking at Harry's career, we realize he is the kind of composer that frustrates and surprises us each year. Last year he composed one heck of a score for Prince of Persia, but one year later he gave us such uninspiring dribble as Cowboys & Aliens. Now something we don't want is uninspiring dribble for christmas, and luckily for us Arthur Christmas is none of that.
On the contrary, this is fun inspiring music. Nothing we haven't heard before, but fun, fresh, inspiring, cheerful. It brings a smile to our face, it enlightens the tale of Arthur Christmas, the person, the movie, the soundtrack. Strangely enough, I hear Patrick Doyle when I open "Trelew, Cornwall, England", and I hear it again in "One Missed Child" (such a charming and beautiful track). Strange to hear the master at work, when we don't find that anymore in his own scores. Then again, I hear Alan Silvestri at work in "Waker!", and rather good I might add.
Now, Arthur Christmas is downright enjoyable when Harry Gregson-Williams returns to his roots. In "Operation Christmas" we open the festivities in true Bond style (making sure you'll encounter orchestral spy music ala Johnny English 1 and 2), but be ready for a more heroic Harry Gregson-Williams continuation. Meaning warm colorful music that enlightens "Mission Control", soaring Christmas music that surprises us with that wonderful main theme in "Dash Away" and "Goodbye Evie", excellent western flair that entertains us in "The Wrong Trlew", the old Harry Gregson-Williams that comes to amaze us with the catchy "Race to Gwen's House", energetic and heroic orchestral music that makes "Serengeti Escape" a memorable one (by now you will have noticed the main theme shares some resemblance with Alan Silvestri's music of Sigfried & Roy), and we can say a lovely goodbye to Arthur and his gang in "Christmas Morning".
In truth, you'll enjoy yourself endlessly with Arthur Christmas. For me, it is a return to the scores that sky rocketed his career in the late 90's and in the early millennium. Scores like Sinbad and The Borrowers will definitely come to mind when listening to Arthur Christmas. Showing us that Harry Gregson-Williams still has it in him, if he just pushes himself a little bit. I honestly can't believe Harry would throw an opportunity away, especially one with such potential as Arthur Christmas. This movie just cries out for something magical, something enjoyable. And luckily, we have received just that. People of Aardman, I would advice you to hire Harry Gregson-Williams for all your assignments now, because whatever you're telling him to do, it's got to be inspirational stuff. One of the most fun scores of the year Arthur Christmas is.
Tracklisting
1. Trelew, Cornwall, England (1.48)
2. Operation Christmas (4.54)
3. "Waker!" (2.51)
4. Mission Control (2.55)
5. One Missed Child (3.00) Excellent track
6. Bring Them Home (1.43)
7. Dash Away (3.46) Excellent track
8. Paris Zoo? (2.29)
9. The Wrong Trlew (1.54)
10. Race to Gwen's House (2.09) Excellent track
11. Arthur's Sadness (2.22)
12. Serengeti Escape (2.24) Excellent track
13. "Worry Me!" (1.37)
14. Space Travel (2.48)
15. Goodbye Evie (2.48) Excellent track
16. Christmas Morning (4.00)
17. We Wish You a... (0.48)
18. Make Someone Happy: Bill Nighy (2.34)
Total Length: 46.50
On the contrary, this is fun inspiring music. Nothing we haven't heard before, but fun, fresh, inspiring, cheerful. It brings a smile to our face, it enlightens the tale of Arthur Christmas, the person, the movie, the soundtrack. Strangely enough, I hear Patrick Doyle when I open "Trelew, Cornwall, England", and I hear it again in "One Missed Child" (such a charming and beautiful track). Strange to hear the master at work, when we don't find that anymore in his own scores. Then again, I hear Alan Silvestri at work in "Waker!", and rather good I might add.
Now, Arthur Christmas is downright enjoyable when Harry Gregson-Williams returns to his roots. In "Operation Christmas" we open the festivities in true Bond style (making sure you'll encounter orchestral spy music ala Johnny English 1 and 2), but be ready for a more heroic Harry Gregson-Williams continuation. Meaning warm colorful music that enlightens "Mission Control", soaring Christmas music that surprises us with that wonderful main theme in "Dash Away" and "Goodbye Evie", excellent western flair that entertains us in "The Wrong Trlew", the old Harry Gregson-Williams that comes to amaze us with the catchy "Race to Gwen's House", energetic and heroic orchestral music that makes "Serengeti Escape" a memorable one (by now you will have noticed the main theme shares some resemblance with Alan Silvestri's music of Sigfried & Roy), and we can say a lovely goodbye to Arthur and his gang in "Christmas Morning".
In truth, you'll enjoy yourself endlessly with Arthur Christmas. For me, it is a return to the scores that sky rocketed his career in the late 90's and in the early millennium. Scores like Sinbad and The Borrowers will definitely come to mind when listening to Arthur Christmas. Showing us that Harry Gregson-Williams still has it in him, if he just pushes himself a little bit. I honestly can't believe Harry would throw an opportunity away, especially one with such potential as Arthur Christmas. This movie just cries out for something magical, something enjoyable. And luckily, we have received just that. People of Aardman, I would advice you to hire Harry Gregson-Williams for all your assignments now, because whatever you're telling him to do, it's got to be inspirational stuff. One of the most fun scores of the year Arthur Christmas is.
Tracklisting
1. Trelew, Cornwall, England (1.48)
2. Operation Christmas (4.54)
3. "Waker!" (2.51)
4. Mission Control (2.55)
5. One Missed Child (3.00) Excellent track
6. Bring Them Home (1.43)
7. Dash Away (3.46) Excellent track
8. Paris Zoo? (2.29)
9. The Wrong Trlew (1.54)
10. Race to Gwen's House (2.09) Excellent track
11. Arthur's Sadness (2.22)
12. Serengeti Escape (2.24) Excellent track
13. "Worry Me!" (1.37)
14. Space Travel (2.48)
15. Goodbye Evie (2.48) Excellent track
16. Christmas Morning (4.00)
17. We Wish You a... (0.48)
18. Make Someone Happy: Bill Nighy (2.34)
Total Length: 46.50