I, Robot
Marco Beltrami
" I, Marco pledge allegiance to the Robot "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
I, Robot was another box office film starring Will Smith as the skeptic hero who has to convince everyone that the robots who invade our lives aren't the saviours we take em four. Loosely based on Isaac Asimov's short-story of the same name, it is Alex Proyas's vision (of Dark City fame) that makes the movie memorable, and electrifying at the same time. When Trevor Jones's score (composer of Dark City) was rejected, Marco Beltrami was brought on board with one sole duty. To write a score in 17 days that would match the 3 laws the robots stand for. And Beltrami acquired his goal with a score that carries his entire voice.
The moody strings open I, Robot with "Main Titles", giving us ample time to secure ourselves for the attacking "Gangs of Chicago". This track is chock full of Beltrami's familiar slices and dices and forms its rhythms on a nice secondary theme, namely the robot theme. But that means we haven't talked about the first theme, aka the main theme yet. And like the robot theme it is a slow brooding construction that gets its finest kicks when it goes loud, epic and darkly stirring to the top. In "I, Robot Theme (End Credits)" it does it with the assistance of a solo vocal, in "Spooner Spills" it grows ominously towards its dark climax.
The robot theme does know nicely enough how to make itself powerful and memorable as well. In "Tunnel Chase" it fuels the determination of Spooner's futile actions and the thrills of the dangerous maneuvers he must perform to stop the robots, in "Sonny's Interrogation" it appears by a mere whisper as it shows us that Sonny is not like the others and in "Dead Robot Walking" it literally supports Sonny and all the old robots when they approach their final hour. The cello effect that guides James Cromwell's words and Sonny's demise are spot on.
But the 2 themes receive their prime time moment at the end with "Spiderbots" and "Round Up". In "Spiderbots" Beltrami unleashes his 2 themes in a stirring, rhythmic and epic battle between a man, a woman and several hundred robots. And the resolving conclusion comes in "Round Up" when Beltrami can finally paint a more hopeful future, assisted by a resolving choral finish. And I mustn't forget Marco's little Elliot Goldenthal moment in "Chicago 2035" when he forges an epic soundscape for the futuristic Chicago.
I, Robot was a score I didn't like at first. I appreciated it and I thought it worked wonders in the film. But by seeing the film more and more, I also started to appreciate Beltrami's soundtrack as well. His bleak and somber setting isn't just his voice alone, it literally IS the sound of the future of Chicago. And in a mere 17 days, he created a score that literally works wonders in a thought provoking and epic action film. And now I appreciate I, Robot all the more for all the right reasons. And good reason too, considering I, Robot 2 is in the pipeline.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (1.31)
2. Gangs of Chicago (3.13)
3. I, Robot Theme (End Credits) (3.15) Excellent track
4. New Arrivals (1.05)
5. Tunnel Chase (3.10)
6. Sonny's Interrogation (1.27)
7. Spooner Spills (4.21)
8. Chicago 2035 (1.36)
9. Purse Snatcher (0.59)
10. Need Some Nanites (2.53)
11. 1001 Robots (4.16)
12. Dead Robot Walking (5.09)
13. Man on the Inside (2.25)
14. Spiderbots (4.19) Excellent track
15. Round Up (4.24) Excellent track
Total Length: 44.11
The moody strings open I, Robot with "Main Titles", giving us ample time to secure ourselves for the attacking "Gangs of Chicago". This track is chock full of Beltrami's familiar slices and dices and forms its rhythms on a nice secondary theme, namely the robot theme. But that means we haven't talked about the first theme, aka the main theme yet. And like the robot theme it is a slow brooding construction that gets its finest kicks when it goes loud, epic and darkly stirring to the top. In "I, Robot Theme (End Credits)" it does it with the assistance of a solo vocal, in "Spooner Spills" it grows ominously towards its dark climax.
The robot theme does know nicely enough how to make itself powerful and memorable as well. In "Tunnel Chase" it fuels the determination of Spooner's futile actions and the thrills of the dangerous maneuvers he must perform to stop the robots, in "Sonny's Interrogation" it appears by a mere whisper as it shows us that Sonny is not like the others and in "Dead Robot Walking" it literally supports Sonny and all the old robots when they approach their final hour. The cello effect that guides James Cromwell's words and Sonny's demise are spot on.
But the 2 themes receive their prime time moment at the end with "Spiderbots" and "Round Up". In "Spiderbots" Beltrami unleashes his 2 themes in a stirring, rhythmic and epic battle between a man, a woman and several hundred robots. And the resolving conclusion comes in "Round Up" when Beltrami can finally paint a more hopeful future, assisted by a resolving choral finish. And I mustn't forget Marco's little Elliot Goldenthal moment in "Chicago 2035" when he forges an epic soundscape for the futuristic Chicago.
I, Robot was a score I didn't like at first. I appreciated it and I thought it worked wonders in the film. But by seeing the film more and more, I also started to appreciate Beltrami's soundtrack as well. His bleak and somber setting isn't just his voice alone, it literally IS the sound of the future of Chicago. And in a mere 17 days, he created a score that literally works wonders in a thought provoking and epic action film. And now I appreciate I, Robot all the more for all the right reasons. And good reason too, considering I, Robot 2 is in the pipeline.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (1.31)
2. Gangs of Chicago (3.13)
3. I, Robot Theme (End Credits) (3.15) Excellent track
4. New Arrivals (1.05)
5. Tunnel Chase (3.10)
6. Sonny's Interrogation (1.27)
7. Spooner Spills (4.21)
8. Chicago 2035 (1.36)
9. Purse Snatcher (0.59)
10. Need Some Nanites (2.53)
11. 1001 Robots (4.16)
12. Dead Robot Walking (5.09)
13. Man on the Inside (2.25)
14. Spiderbots (4.19) Excellent track
15. Round Up (4.24) Excellent track
Total Length: 44.11