Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
Alan Silvestri
" Silvestri's gig is good enough, the cover is tacky, the pictures of Jolie dead-sexy, Tomb Raider in a nutshell "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
We all know the story, but let's tell it one more time. Alan Silvestri, one of Hollywood's most respected composers was thrown out by the producers of Pirates of the Caribbean because his score probably lacked oomph and synthetic tones (but had woodwinds). His score was rejected and replaced by Badelt's totally unoriginal yet totally fun Media Ventures score, resulting in a successful movie franchise and a hit in soundtrack sales. In my mind there's still disappointment however of not having the chance to hear Alan Silvestri's swashbuckling voice over such a visual trilogy of spectacles.
Of course what for one is a disappointment is a salvation for someone else. And Jan De Bont soon saw the potential of having such a swashbuckling composer on his adventurous project. In the end all things would turn out extremely well. But again, it wasn't to be.
You have to realize, Silvestri without a doubt put a lot of energy in the score of POTC and in all fairness, writing a totally new score in mere weeks isn't fair when you want it to equal the scale of one The Mummy Returns, or Silvestri's biggest and baddest adventure score of the last couple of years. A composer needs minimum months to get back on power, with an original voice and lot's of fresh ideas. And while Tomb Raider 2 captures some great moments, the score lacks a general tone of excitement (plus the underscore isn't helpful either).
A main theme, something Revell seemed unnecessary for the first (it was however as quickly scored as this one) is discovered from the very first track. And the theme works I might add. "Opening" states it quickly with electric guitar and orchestra. What follows is a mixed bag. "The Luna Temple" presents electronic drum rhythms that will appear in the entire soundtrack with dark underscore, followed by a typical mystery fanfare and a spectacular moment for choir.
We continue with "Shark Attack" and its electronic rhythm and choral main theme. "Captured by the Shay Ling" uses a lot of Chinese instruments until the orchestra inevitably takes over, ending with the action theme of tracks 2 and 3. The Chinese underscore in 5 and 6 isn’t terribly exciting.
If it comes down to use the main theme in an action piece, then "Flower Pagoda Battle" is the best one of all. In fact, the first two minutes are the pride of the score. It doesn't continue this pride but at least those 2 minutes are the best this soundtrack can offer you of action material.
The track "Skydive Getaway" is an electronic wash of drum rhythm and Chinese flutes, making it not terribly exciting. Track 10 is dark until short Abyss choir enlightens the mood while the so called climax of the movie "The Cradle of Life" is nothing exciting overall. The real climax is "Pandora's Box", having lovely strings and choir.
What can you expect of Tomb Raider 2 if you realize both movies had a rocky musical experience? It's at least a lot more enjoyable than the first one of Revell, but not as good as say his masterpiece The Mummy Returns. Tomb Raider 2 is an enjoyable score with sadly too many dead moments, making the score in fact too long for repeated experiences. We expect more of Silvestri, even in these circumstances. It would have been so cool having Silvestri on the POTC movies and Mancina on this one. Ah well, at least the beautiful pictures of Angelina Jolie help us through the boring underscore.
Tracklisting
1. Opening (1.39)
2. The Luna Temple (7.43)
3. Shark Attack (3.18)
4. "I Need Terry Sheridan" (5.40)
5. Arrival in China (1.46)
6. Captured by the Shay Ling (5.59)
7. Escape from Chen (4.19)
8. Flower Pagoda Battle (5.41) Excellent track
9. Skydive Getaway (2.11)
10. Orb Transmission (1.42)
11. Journey to the Cradle of Life (6.22)
12. The Cradle of Life (6.33)
13. Pandora's Box (5.24) Excellent track
14. "Not Meant to be Found" (0.44)
15. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (0.51)
Total Length: 60.02
Of course what for one is a disappointment is a salvation for someone else. And Jan De Bont soon saw the potential of having such a swashbuckling composer on his adventurous project. In the end all things would turn out extremely well. But again, it wasn't to be.
You have to realize, Silvestri without a doubt put a lot of energy in the score of POTC and in all fairness, writing a totally new score in mere weeks isn't fair when you want it to equal the scale of one The Mummy Returns, or Silvestri's biggest and baddest adventure score of the last couple of years. A composer needs minimum months to get back on power, with an original voice and lot's of fresh ideas. And while Tomb Raider 2 captures some great moments, the score lacks a general tone of excitement (plus the underscore isn't helpful either).
A main theme, something Revell seemed unnecessary for the first (it was however as quickly scored as this one) is discovered from the very first track. And the theme works I might add. "Opening" states it quickly with electric guitar and orchestra. What follows is a mixed bag. "The Luna Temple" presents electronic drum rhythms that will appear in the entire soundtrack with dark underscore, followed by a typical mystery fanfare and a spectacular moment for choir.
We continue with "Shark Attack" and its electronic rhythm and choral main theme. "Captured by the Shay Ling" uses a lot of Chinese instruments until the orchestra inevitably takes over, ending with the action theme of tracks 2 and 3. The Chinese underscore in 5 and 6 isn’t terribly exciting.
If it comes down to use the main theme in an action piece, then "Flower Pagoda Battle" is the best one of all. In fact, the first two minutes are the pride of the score. It doesn't continue this pride but at least those 2 minutes are the best this soundtrack can offer you of action material.
The track "Skydive Getaway" is an electronic wash of drum rhythm and Chinese flutes, making it not terribly exciting. Track 10 is dark until short Abyss choir enlightens the mood while the so called climax of the movie "The Cradle of Life" is nothing exciting overall. The real climax is "Pandora's Box", having lovely strings and choir.
What can you expect of Tomb Raider 2 if you realize both movies had a rocky musical experience? It's at least a lot more enjoyable than the first one of Revell, but not as good as say his masterpiece The Mummy Returns. Tomb Raider 2 is an enjoyable score with sadly too many dead moments, making the score in fact too long for repeated experiences. We expect more of Silvestri, even in these circumstances. It would have been so cool having Silvestri on the POTC movies and Mancina on this one. Ah well, at least the beautiful pictures of Angelina Jolie help us through the boring underscore.
Tracklisting
1. Opening (1.39)
2. The Luna Temple (7.43)
3. Shark Attack (3.18)
4. "I Need Terry Sheridan" (5.40)
5. Arrival in China (1.46)
6. Captured by the Shay Ling (5.59)
7. Escape from Chen (4.19)
8. Flower Pagoda Battle (5.41) Excellent track
9. Skydive Getaway (2.11)
10. Orb Transmission (1.42)
11. Journey to the Cradle of Life (6.22)
12. The Cradle of Life (6.33)
13. Pandora's Box (5.24) Excellent track
14. "Not Meant to be Found" (0.44)
15. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (0.51)
Total Length: 60.02