Flipper
Joel McNeely
" Jump in the water for an entertaining swim "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
In 1996, Joel McNeely was noticed for scoring Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire which was used with stunning effect in the game. In that same year, McNeely composed a family icon that transcended back to the big screen after countless episodes on TV and various family movies on the big screen. Flipper is the name and McNeely was the man of the game, composing as expected a typical family score with various highlights due to their original presentation.
It might not make him very popular with soundtrack producers, but at least he remains popular with the persons that know best (and that is us). The score Flipper consists of various songs which I will not mention here, because most of them are already too well known. I'll begin immediately with the 30 minute score of Joel McNeely. In fact it couldn't start any better, considering "Main Title" is a light, airy but above all original breeze. Picture this: a trio of singers, bringing us the main theme and then trumpets, aiding the singers in their quest to bring Flipper to the surface. It is so easy, it makes it so goddamn brilliant in the outcome.
Furthermore we have the usual calm but beautiful music. "Sandy Meets Flipper" is one where it captures a good secondary theme and "Flipper Ballet" is one of the better tracks, where the secondary theme receives some air time as well. While Cocoon receives some brief glimpses in track 5 and "Marv Meets Flipper" reveals the first part of the music that was used in the trailer of Bicentennial Man, it is "The Secret Weapon" which is another highlight, reminding me of the fun escapades of such scores like Hook (due to McNeely's own Return to Neverland) and An American Tail: Fievel goes West. Basically, this is a moment where McNeely mixes the two themes with a wonderful vibrant and fun pace.
And as usual some darker and action oriented music can't be absent when we need to send Flipper through a series of dangerous adventures. Through that tracks 8 and 9 become a little bit Goldenthal territory.
Altogether Flipper is light, charming, fun and easy to appreciate. Joel McNeely shows once again it is safe to listen to his music, and it gives me another WTF mentioning if you consider what kind of crud can score movies today, while brilliant composers have to suffice themselves with animations or nothing at all. Ah, we all know the world is cruel, but luckily stuff like Flipper can give us a reason to listen to quality family music once again. In fact, I still consider his opening theme to be one of his cleverest creations. I even wonder if anyone else already heard it besides me?
Tracklisting
1. In The Summer Time ('96 Version): Shaggy (3.59)
2. Do It Again: The Beach Boys (2.25)
3. It's Not Unusual: Tom Jones (1.59)
4. Tiptina: Professor Longhair (3.35)
5. Flipper: Matthew Sweet (2.07)
6.. Main Title * (3.46) Excellent track
7. Abandoned and Alone (1.46)
8. Sandy Meets Flipper (2.08)
9. Flipper Ballet (3.09)
10. He Belongs at Sea (2.59)
11. Marv Meets Flipper (1.57)
12. The Secret Weapon (2.59) Excellent track
13. Sandy Searches (3.57)
14. Attack of the Hammerhead (2.52)
15. Flipper Goes Home (3.34)
* Vocal performance by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Total Length: 43.12
It might not make him very popular with soundtrack producers, but at least he remains popular with the persons that know best (and that is us). The score Flipper consists of various songs which I will not mention here, because most of them are already too well known. I'll begin immediately with the 30 minute score of Joel McNeely. In fact it couldn't start any better, considering "Main Title" is a light, airy but above all original breeze. Picture this: a trio of singers, bringing us the main theme and then trumpets, aiding the singers in their quest to bring Flipper to the surface. It is so easy, it makes it so goddamn brilliant in the outcome.
Furthermore we have the usual calm but beautiful music. "Sandy Meets Flipper" is one where it captures a good secondary theme and "Flipper Ballet" is one of the better tracks, where the secondary theme receives some air time as well. While Cocoon receives some brief glimpses in track 5 and "Marv Meets Flipper" reveals the first part of the music that was used in the trailer of Bicentennial Man, it is "The Secret Weapon" which is another highlight, reminding me of the fun escapades of such scores like Hook (due to McNeely's own Return to Neverland) and An American Tail: Fievel goes West. Basically, this is a moment where McNeely mixes the two themes with a wonderful vibrant and fun pace.
And as usual some darker and action oriented music can't be absent when we need to send Flipper through a series of dangerous adventures. Through that tracks 8 and 9 become a little bit Goldenthal territory.
Altogether Flipper is light, charming, fun and easy to appreciate. Joel McNeely shows once again it is safe to listen to his music, and it gives me another WTF mentioning if you consider what kind of crud can score movies today, while brilliant composers have to suffice themselves with animations or nothing at all. Ah, we all know the world is cruel, but luckily stuff like Flipper can give us a reason to listen to quality family music once again. In fact, I still consider his opening theme to be one of his cleverest creations. I even wonder if anyone else already heard it besides me?
Tracklisting
1. In The Summer Time ('96 Version): Shaggy (3.59)
2. Do It Again: The Beach Boys (2.25)
3. It's Not Unusual: Tom Jones (1.59)
4. Tiptina: Professor Longhair (3.35)
5. Flipper: Matthew Sweet (2.07)
6.. Main Title * (3.46) Excellent track
7. Abandoned and Alone (1.46)
8. Sandy Meets Flipper (2.08)
9. Flipper Ballet (3.09)
10. He Belongs at Sea (2.59)
11. Marv Meets Flipper (1.57)
12. The Secret Weapon (2.59) Excellent track
13. Sandy Searches (3.57)
14. Attack of the Hammerhead (2.52)
15. Flipper Goes Home (3.34)
* Vocal performance by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Total Length: 43.12