Men in Black II
Danny Elfman
" Better coherent listen that unfortunately misses the highlights of the first "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
In 1997 Danny Elfman wrote 3 ordinary scores, one of them being magical in the context of the movie which was Good Will Hunting. Two of the other ones contained the Elfman voice, being one zany and the other being dark, and yet still containing that touch of Elfman magic. This score was Men in Black. Due to the enormous popularity of the first, a sequel was the only inevitable solution. And like most sequels, they overdid it.
Ironically, while Elfman wrote far better scores, Men in Black in particular received an Oscar nomination that year. A choice I still regret since it made Men in Black as a score a lot more interesting even though far better scores were neglected in the process. As a soundtrack solely it captured great moments, but was covered in a dark atonal mold that really crushed the listening experience in the end. This also meant that I personally wasn't looking forward to Men in Black 2, equally composed by Danny Elfman. Yet with a sequel there is also the good sign that old themes will return while new themes or a new style will emerge in the end. And like I wished it, so it happened.
The new style I'm referring to is actually a pleasant surprise, since I thought jazz wouldn't fit at all with a film like Men in Black. But it does and it opens the album with blazing spoof. The choir singing "dooie dooie" or "lalala" is funny as hell while the trumpets and electronics rain bring forth variations on the main theme. This main theme which was one of the great points of the original score is basically repeated in each track, almost sometimes 2 to 4 times in one single cue. But don't let this discourage you since Elfman throws in each possible variation you can imagine.
The short tracks or finales in "Logo" and "The Finale" bring what the first equally did, namely short fanfares for the in -or outzooming world. "Main Titles" and "Titles Revisited" by then do the same thing in begin and end. It was the middle part that I was most afraid of. And even though it doesn't listen smoothly enough to really enjoy it, it is way better than the first. While the first had the moments like "The Suit" and "Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger" (lacking here), it is still barely containing the dark dissonant chase cues. The only obnoxious part is "The Chase".
The track "Headquarters" covers (like in the first) fanfares for the station itself and there's lighter stuff in "Heart Thump" and "The Real Story". Another good moment is when the second theme of the original returns, namely K's one. This of course signals the return of Tommy Lee Jones as the Men in Black detective K and "J Nabbed / K's Back" is exceptional in bringing choir as guitar to signal his return. Still, the best track is "The Light". It actually contains a brief sign of the chase music, but that is not what's important. It is the inspirational fanfare leading to a glorious K theme statement that shows you the pride and talent of Danny Elfman's voice.
Because even though Men in Black 2 listens more varied and stronger than the first, it is still not up to par as a listening experience. Only the last tracks of the score are much better to enjoy. This doesn't contain the hideous song version by the talking dog "I Will Survive". Luckily Wil Smith's own MIB song is a lot groovier and better to appreciate. Men in Black 2 is saved from the same mistakes due to the diversity and better cohesion in tracks. Yet as a listening experience it could have been better if the best moments of the first returned to replace the worst moments of the second.
Tracklisting
1. Worm Lounge #1 (Worms in Black) (5.20)
2. Logo (0.22)
3. Main Titles (5.01)
4. Big Jeff (2.25)
5. Headquarters (1.52)
6. Chop-Chop (2.00)
7. Heart Thump (1.51)
8. Customs (0.51)
9. Hunting For K (1.40)
10. J Nabbed / K's Back (2.20)
11. The Real Story (1.41)
12. Sleuthing (2.20)
13. The Defense Begins (2.47)
14. The Chase (3.22)
15. The Light (5.43)
16. The Finale (0.18)
17. Worms Lounge #2 (3.08)
18. Titles Revisited (2.56)
19. I Will Survive: Tim Blaney as 'Frank the Pug' (3.02)
20. Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head): Will Smith (4.20)
Total Length: 53.31
Ironically, while Elfman wrote far better scores, Men in Black in particular received an Oscar nomination that year. A choice I still regret since it made Men in Black as a score a lot more interesting even though far better scores were neglected in the process. As a soundtrack solely it captured great moments, but was covered in a dark atonal mold that really crushed the listening experience in the end. This also meant that I personally wasn't looking forward to Men in Black 2, equally composed by Danny Elfman. Yet with a sequel there is also the good sign that old themes will return while new themes or a new style will emerge in the end. And like I wished it, so it happened.
The new style I'm referring to is actually a pleasant surprise, since I thought jazz wouldn't fit at all with a film like Men in Black. But it does and it opens the album with blazing spoof. The choir singing "dooie dooie" or "lalala" is funny as hell while the trumpets and electronics rain bring forth variations on the main theme. This main theme which was one of the great points of the original score is basically repeated in each track, almost sometimes 2 to 4 times in one single cue. But don't let this discourage you since Elfman throws in each possible variation you can imagine.
The short tracks or finales in "Logo" and "The Finale" bring what the first equally did, namely short fanfares for the in -or outzooming world. "Main Titles" and "Titles Revisited" by then do the same thing in begin and end. It was the middle part that I was most afraid of. And even though it doesn't listen smoothly enough to really enjoy it, it is way better than the first. While the first had the moments like "The Suit" and "Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger" (lacking here), it is still barely containing the dark dissonant chase cues. The only obnoxious part is "The Chase".
The track "Headquarters" covers (like in the first) fanfares for the station itself and there's lighter stuff in "Heart Thump" and "The Real Story". Another good moment is when the second theme of the original returns, namely K's one. This of course signals the return of Tommy Lee Jones as the Men in Black detective K and "J Nabbed / K's Back" is exceptional in bringing choir as guitar to signal his return. Still, the best track is "The Light". It actually contains a brief sign of the chase music, but that is not what's important. It is the inspirational fanfare leading to a glorious K theme statement that shows you the pride and talent of Danny Elfman's voice.
Because even though Men in Black 2 listens more varied and stronger than the first, it is still not up to par as a listening experience. Only the last tracks of the score are much better to enjoy. This doesn't contain the hideous song version by the talking dog "I Will Survive". Luckily Wil Smith's own MIB song is a lot groovier and better to appreciate. Men in Black 2 is saved from the same mistakes due to the diversity and better cohesion in tracks. Yet as a listening experience it could have been better if the best moments of the first returned to replace the worst moments of the second.
Tracklisting
1. Worm Lounge #1 (Worms in Black) (5.20)
2. Logo (0.22)
3. Main Titles (5.01)
4. Big Jeff (2.25)
5. Headquarters (1.52)
6. Chop-Chop (2.00)
7. Heart Thump (1.51)
8. Customs (0.51)
9. Hunting For K (1.40)
10. J Nabbed / K's Back (2.20)
11. The Real Story (1.41)
12. Sleuthing (2.20)
13. The Defense Begins (2.47)
14. The Chase (3.22)
15. The Light (5.43)
16. The Finale (0.18)
17. Worms Lounge #2 (3.08)
18. Titles Revisited (2.56)
19. I Will Survive: Tim Blaney as 'Frank the Pug' (3.02)
20. Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head): Will Smith (4.20)
Total Length: 53.31