Puss in Boots
Henry Jackman
" Zorro for Puss lovers! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
After the stupendous success of Shrek, spin offs were considered a logical way of life. Even if Eddie Murphy could make for an entertaining one donkey's show, the logical choice still went to the heroic sidekick Puss in Boots. The Hispanic cat who joined Shrek and Donkey in Shrek 2 surely stands strongly on its own (that's what the box office numbers are showing us), the question however was who the composer would be, now that John Powell and Harry Gregson-Williams wouldn't return. The assignment was given to RC composer Henry Jackman, a man who made an impression on audiences with Monsters vs Aliens, Kick-Ass, Gulliver's Travels, Winnie the Pooh and X-Men: First Class.
Now you can expect Puss in Boots to go one way and that's exotic. The score's full of guitar rhythms, flamenco foot dancing and hand clapping sounds. An occasional harmonica enlightens it (often tributing Morricone's western scores) and Rodrigo y Gabriela continue their Hollywood introduction after Pirates of the Caribbean 4. To come to the point about their inclusion, the 2 pieces they deliver are simply astonishing. They didn't make an impression on me in Pirates 4, not like their solo albums. But here they are given the time to go berserk with the rhythm of the score, and "Diablo Rojo" and "Hanuman" will leave no person untouched.
The score itself by Jackman follows the expected route. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. "A Bad Kitty" delivers an over evident Mask of Zorro approach (with even a direct statement of a theme that itself works as the main theme for Puss) while "The Wagon Chase" just enhances it with a most entertaining rhythm. Jackman however goes for all out adventures in the big and bold "Golden Goose of Legend" or during the delightful rhythm of "The Great Terror".
There's a wonderful final minute in "The Orphanage", joyous moments of score in "Honor and Justice" and "That Fateful Night" and explosive encores in "Planting the Beans" and "The Magic Beanstalk". One track however tops all that, and that's "The Puss Suite", an absolutely delightful encore of rhythms on a bed of main theme statements. Ole!
Puss in Boots may bring The Mask of Zorro to mind, and even directly state it from time to time, but I'm glad such a delightful score comes to mind when listening to it. Because Henry Jackman's score is so wonderful on its own that you'll dance on the infectious rhythms after the very first time. It's not complex, it's just deliciously upbeat. Rodrigo y Gabriela's additional material and Jackman's score are a perfect match, enough to give your listening experience a twist and a shake, a tango el fantastico, an enjoyable experience for young and old. Meaning it's fun fun fun.
Tracklisting
1. A Bad Kitty (2.04)
2. One Leche (2.01)
3. Jack and Jill (0.22)
4. Holy Frijoles (1.14)
5. Chasing Tail (1.09)
6. Diablo Rojo * (4.53) Excellent track
7. Humpty Dumpty & Kitty Softpaws (2.42)
8. The Orphanage (4.29)
9. Honor and Justice (1.44)
10. That Fateful Night (2.35)
11. The Wagon Chase (2.58) Excellent track
12. Team Effort (0.57)
13. Planting the Beans (2.09)
14. The Magic Beanstalk (1.17)
15. Castle in the Clouds (1.57)
16. Golden Goose of Legend (6.38) Excellent track
17. Hanuman * (3.39) Excellent track
18. Confronting the Past (1.37)
19. I Was Always There (4.06)
20. Kitty-Cat Break-Out (1.35)
21. The Great Terror (7.56) Excellent track
22. Farewell to San Ricardo (1.32)
23. The Puss Suite (3.09) Excellent track
24. The Giant's Castle (3.08)
* Written & performed by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Total Length: 65.51
Now you can expect Puss in Boots to go one way and that's exotic. The score's full of guitar rhythms, flamenco foot dancing and hand clapping sounds. An occasional harmonica enlightens it (often tributing Morricone's western scores) and Rodrigo y Gabriela continue their Hollywood introduction after Pirates of the Caribbean 4. To come to the point about their inclusion, the 2 pieces they deliver are simply astonishing. They didn't make an impression on me in Pirates 4, not like their solo albums. But here they are given the time to go berserk with the rhythm of the score, and "Diablo Rojo" and "Hanuman" will leave no person untouched.
The score itself by Jackman follows the expected route. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. "A Bad Kitty" delivers an over evident Mask of Zorro approach (with even a direct statement of a theme that itself works as the main theme for Puss) while "The Wagon Chase" just enhances it with a most entertaining rhythm. Jackman however goes for all out adventures in the big and bold "Golden Goose of Legend" or during the delightful rhythm of "The Great Terror".
There's a wonderful final minute in "The Orphanage", joyous moments of score in "Honor and Justice" and "That Fateful Night" and explosive encores in "Planting the Beans" and "The Magic Beanstalk". One track however tops all that, and that's "The Puss Suite", an absolutely delightful encore of rhythms on a bed of main theme statements. Ole!
Puss in Boots may bring The Mask of Zorro to mind, and even directly state it from time to time, but I'm glad such a delightful score comes to mind when listening to it. Because Henry Jackman's score is so wonderful on its own that you'll dance on the infectious rhythms after the very first time. It's not complex, it's just deliciously upbeat. Rodrigo y Gabriela's additional material and Jackman's score are a perfect match, enough to give your listening experience a twist and a shake, a tango el fantastico, an enjoyable experience for young and old. Meaning it's fun fun fun.
Tracklisting
1. A Bad Kitty (2.04)
2. One Leche (2.01)
3. Jack and Jill (0.22)
4. Holy Frijoles (1.14)
5. Chasing Tail (1.09)
6. Diablo Rojo * (4.53) Excellent track
7. Humpty Dumpty & Kitty Softpaws (2.42)
8. The Orphanage (4.29)
9. Honor and Justice (1.44)
10. That Fateful Night (2.35)
11. The Wagon Chase (2.58) Excellent track
12. Team Effort (0.57)
13. Planting the Beans (2.09)
14. The Magic Beanstalk (1.17)
15. Castle in the Clouds (1.57)
16. Golden Goose of Legend (6.38) Excellent track
17. Hanuman * (3.39) Excellent track
18. Confronting the Past (1.37)
19. I Was Always There (4.06)
20. Kitty-Cat Break-Out (1.35)
21. The Great Terror (7.56) Excellent track
22. Farewell to San Ricardo (1.32)
23. The Puss Suite (3.09) Excellent track
24. The Giant's Castle (3.08)
* Written & performed by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Total Length: 65.51