Men in Black
Danny Elfman
" This received a nomination over Sommersby, Batman and Black Beauty? "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Let's use a bit of logic shall we. Any score that has been nominated in the past, present of future must have something special right? Something that makes the movie so good and the soundtrack so amazing, correct? Well, it's unfair to neglect winners of Elfman, but it is more unfair to award others that fail miserably on CD. Why on earth is Men in Black nominated if such amazing efforts as Edward Scissorhands or Sommersby were forgotten at all? Of course today we know better. It's all about the movies and the enormous critical response they are getting, not about whether the music is actually worth it. This of course makes it all the more unfair, if you simply look at the countless examples of classic filmmusic that was neglected before it, and after it.
Now, in the case of Men in Black, we have a score that does miracles for its film. But how do they award such a score, if even a film music connaiseur like myself (okay, that's overdoing it) had multiple spasms when listening to it on CD? Sure, it has an appropriate main theme (though typically Elfman), it holds some really lovely moments but it also captures horrendous material that truly made me go berserk while listening to it. In truth, if this receives a nomination, then by all means nominate everything else instead as well.
After several years of stunning melodic beauties, Danny Elfman returned to his famous dark and quirky style. This is no way another Batman, but some things simply connect and perhaps that it what suits Men in Black the most. The bouncy main theme starts the score with "M.I.B. Main Theme" and it is enjoyable during its zany encounter. Parts like "Headquarters", "The Suit" and "K Reminisces" are decent and fun, and moments like "Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger" and "Finale" show you why Elfman was remembered during the Oscar nominating.
But the rest, oh the rest. It is functional during it, but really hard at times on disc. In fact it is Elfman's typical zany, quirky and rhythmic style that you have to accept to get through them. And if this is what defies an Oscar, then kill me now.
Gunshot Sound
The action tracks, the horrific scares and the complicated rhythms, they are all there in "D's Memories / Chase", "Edgar's Truck / A New Man", "Sexy Morgue Babe / Icon" and "Take Off / Crash". As explained, good enough for the movie but no way Oscar friendly.
True, Danny Elfman is a big fan based composer, someone who has shared us his talent before, in more occasions that not. But that doesn't justify the reason to simply go out nominating 2 scores that are functional, simply because they were found in 2 of the most surprising and critically acclaimed movies of 2007 (don't forget that the other nomination went out to Good Will Hunting). I appreciate the effort during the movie, I really do. But I know that Men in Black isn't worth all this hoopla. But of course today we know better, today the people who run the Oscars nominate each one deservedly, except when it concerns the music. Then they simply go for the best movie, not score.
Gunshot Sound heard again.
Tracklisting
1. M.I.B. Main Theme (2.58)
2. D's Memories / Chase (3.55)
3. Edgar's Truck / A New Man (2.58)
4. Imports / Quiet Moment (2.20)
5. J Contemplates (1.17)
6. Headquarters (1.12)
7. The Suit (1.27)
8. Morgue Time (0.48)
9. Petit Mort (1.41)
10. K Reminisces (0.47)
11. Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger (2.17)
12. Noisy Cricket / Impending Trouble (2.06)
13. Sexy Morgue Babe / Icon (5.41)
14. Take Off / Crash (7.19)
15. Finale (3.03) Excellent track
16. M.I.B. Closing Theme (2.37)
Total Length: 42.43
Now, in the case of Men in Black, we have a score that does miracles for its film. But how do they award such a score, if even a film music connaiseur like myself (okay, that's overdoing it) had multiple spasms when listening to it on CD? Sure, it has an appropriate main theme (though typically Elfman), it holds some really lovely moments but it also captures horrendous material that truly made me go berserk while listening to it. In truth, if this receives a nomination, then by all means nominate everything else instead as well.
After several years of stunning melodic beauties, Danny Elfman returned to his famous dark and quirky style. This is no way another Batman, but some things simply connect and perhaps that it what suits Men in Black the most. The bouncy main theme starts the score with "M.I.B. Main Theme" and it is enjoyable during its zany encounter. Parts like "Headquarters", "The Suit" and "K Reminisces" are decent and fun, and moments like "Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger" and "Finale" show you why Elfman was remembered during the Oscar nominating.
But the rest, oh the rest. It is functional during it, but really hard at times on disc. In fact it is Elfman's typical zany, quirky and rhythmic style that you have to accept to get through them. And if this is what defies an Oscar, then kill me now.
Gunshot Sound
The action tracks, the horrific scares and the complicated rhythms, they are all there in "D's Memories / Chase", "Edgar's Truck / A New Man", "Sexy Morgue Babe / Icon" and "Take Off / Crash". As explained, good enough for the movie but no way Oscar friendly.
True, Danny Elfman is a big fan based composer, someone who has shared us his talent before, in more occasions that not. But that doesn't justify the reason to simply go out nominating 2 scores that are functional, simply because they were found in 2 of the most surprising and critically acclaimed movies of 2007 (don't forget that the other nomination went out to Good Will Hunting). I appreciate the effort during the movie, I really do. But I know that Men in Black isn't worth all this hoopla. But of course today we know better, today the people who run the Oscars nominate each one deservedly, except when it concerns the music. Then they simply go for the best movie, not score.
Gunshot Sound heard again.
Tracklisting
1. M.I.B. Main Theme (2.58)
2. D's Memories / Chase (3.55)
3. Edgar's Truck / A New Man (2.58)
4. Imports / Quiet Moment (2.20)
5. J Contemplates (1.17)
6. Headquarters (1.12)
7. The Suit (1.27)
8. Morgue Time (0.48)
9. Petit Mort (1.41)
10. K Reminisces (0.47)
11. Orion's Belt / Cat Stinger (2.17)
12. Noisy Cricket / Impending Trouble (2.06)
13. Sexy Morgue Babe / Icon (5.41)
14. Take Off / Crash (7.19)
15. Finale (3.03) Excellent track
16. M.I.B. Closing Theme (2.37)
Total Length: 42.43