Dennis the Menace
Jerry Goldsmith
" not an easy listen but damn right the right one "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Dennis the Menace, a creation of many people's childhoods worked perfectly as an animation, but not so much on the big screen (even though it had Walther Mathau as neighbor George Wilson). Anyway, even if the movie didn't completely win you over. It was still for (Home Alone standards) fun. Music wise, somebody had to underscore all those gags, humor and deviousness with a smile. And considering John Williams did it already for one little boy, Goldsmith naturally had to follow in the lesser footsteps. Still the score is fun in its own way, if you don't mind some mickey mousing here and there. "Our Town" is a perfect example of all the elements that would drive this score (and movie). At one end a charming theme for harmonica for Dennis, at another a more grumpy theme for Mr. Wilson. In between a lot of bouncy music for the town that will be the playground of Dennis and his shenanigans. A third character theme is introduced in "Dollnapping", a devious theme that perfectly captures the evil yet not completely intellectual character of Sam the Thief (wonderfully played by Christopher Lloyd). A wonderful fanfare is for the end when all is well ("He's Back"), and in between it's all Dennis' show. Goldsmith makes wonderful use of the character themes to pinpoint exactly what Dennis is doing where and to who, so in some way it's sometimes quite fun to follow. Then again, this expanded treatment is way too generous, and you had exactly enough with the original release of 1993. This is basically more of the same, and will be perfect food for completists of young and old.
The score is perfect for the film, devious, playful, upbeat and with more than enough character themes.
Goldsmith's knack for offering the perfect devious music is amazing. Either for Dennis or for Sam the thief.
This expanded treatment offers more of the same, it still listens quite easy but it's basically repetitive.
Be sure you don't mind a bit of mickey mousing, even though it's quite approachable in some way.
Dennis the Menace (1993 release) ***
Dennis the Menace "Expanded Edition" (2014 release) ***
Track Listing
1. Our Town (2.54)
2. Take an Aspirin * (3.16)
3. The Plant * (0.46)
4. The Doll * (1.24)
5. Sound Games * (0.43)
6. Hide and Seek * (1.55)
7. Dollnapping * (3.04)
8. The Shower / Broken Flowers * (2.07)
9. Spilled Paint * (1.10)
10. A Funny Taste * (1.15)
11. Babysitting † (3.45)
12. The Dentures † / The Purse * (4.00)
13. Bed Time † (5.13)
14. Shaggy Dog Story (4.05)
15. Redecorating * (1.00)
16. A Mistake * (0.48)
17. The Heist (4.16)
18. Remembering Dennis * (0.56)
19. The Slingshot (1.22)
20. Tied Up (2.11)
21. Beans (4.11)
22. The Search * (0.38)
23. Real Love (1.31)
24. Hung Up (1.31)
25. He's Back (2.20)
26. Forgetful Sam (1.29)
27. Toasted Marshmallows † (4.30)
Bonus Tracks
28. Babysitting (original album version) (3.53)
29. Fun With False Teeth (original album version) (1.57)
30. Bed Time (original album version) (5.12)
31. Toasted Marshmallows (original album version) (4.23)
* Previously unreleased
† Contains previously unreleased music
Total Length: 77.45
The score is perfect for the film, devious, playful, upbeat and with more than enough character themes.
Goldsmith's knack for offering the perfect devious music is amazing. Either for Dennis or for Sam the thief.
This expanded treatment offers more of the same, it still listens quite easy but it's basically repetitive.
Be sure you don't mind a bit of mickey mousing, even though it's quite approachable in some way.
Dennis the Menace (1993 release) ***
Dennis the Menace "Expanded Edition" (2014 release) ***
Track Listing
1. Our Town (2.54)
2. Take an Aspirin * (3.16)
3. The Plant * (0.46)
4. The Doll * (1.24)
5. Sound Games * (0.43)
6. Hide and Seek * (1.55)
7. Dollnapping * (3.04)
8. The Shower / Broken Flowers * (2.07)
9. Spilled Paint * (1.10)
10. A Funny Taste * (1.15)
11. Babysitting † (3.45)
12. The Dentures † / The Purse * (4.00)
13. Bed Time † (5.13)
14. Shaggy Dog Story (4.05)
15. Redecorating * (1.00)
16. A Mistake * (0.48)
17. The Heist (4.16)
18. Remembering Dennis * (0.56)
19. The Slingshot (1.22)
20. Tied Up (2.11)
21. Beans (4.11)
22. The Search * (0.38)
23. Real Love (1.31)
24. Hung Up (1.31)
25. He's Back (2.20)
26. Forgetful Sam (1.29)
27. Toasted Marshmallows † (4.30)
Bonus Tracks
28. Babysitting (original album version) (3.53)
29. Fun With False Teeth (original album version) (1.57)
30. Bed Time (original album version) (5.12)
31. Toasted Marshmallows (original album version) (4.23)
* Previously unreleased
† Contains previously unreleased music
Total Length: 77.45