Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Hummie Mann
" Comedy film receives orchestral score full of life "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Mel Brooks is known to ridicule specific genres of films, and while at it ridicule the most known films of that genre. A know one is Blazing Saddles, another one is Spaceaballs, a lesser one turned out to be Robin Hood. Robin Hood: Men in Tights was funny on an occasional basis, but the gags were also less original and therefore less comical. So movie wise Robin Hood was so so entertaining. Music wise Mel Brooks turned to Canadian composer Hummie Mann, after having worked extensively with composer John Morris on all his previous projects. Mann (which did the movie Dracula: Dead and Loving It after that) responded with an orchestral rousing score that is at times highly enjoyable.
Of course, one way or another, the music pays tribute to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Michael Kamen's amazing heroic score of 1991). And the songs that are a part of that are enjoyable too. The love theme is heard during the opening pop version "Marian", but more memorable during "Marian (Solo Version)" which is beautifully sung by Debbie James, the lavish reworked version of Vaughn Monroe's The Night is Young is to be appreciated after that and the Merry Men themselves have their own take during "Men in Tights", which takes nothing for granted. Kevin Dorsey, the lead rap singer during the two songs is a nice addition to the already comic interludes.
But Hummie Mann's score is enjoyable as well, and especially darn right heroic from time to time. "Main Title" delivers you a fantastic heroic rendition of the main theme in 3 minutes of unbridled brass playing, besides a lovely take on the love theme. "Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage" successfully uses the orchestral version of "Row, Row, Row your Boat" and the National anthem of Great Britain, while "Stick Fight with Little John" is an amusing combination of Matrix like effects (you'll definitely spot them) and playful orchestral serenades. Furthermore there is more darkness in "The Witch in the Tower" and there's more romance with the love theme in "The Wedding", but altogether Robin Hood is truly the most enjoyable during the action tracks.
"Escape from Kahlil Prison" delivers us another take on the main theme, and "The Great Hall Fight" and "Villagers to the Rescue" take the action to the screen with more action based rhythms (and not specifically main theme statements). It's nonetheless enthralling stuff from time to time.
And for just 26 minutes, that means you're actually getting a lot more than one bargained for. It's an awfully short release, but if the time is spend well, then one should be happy with the brief result nonetheless. The main theme is truly a winner, and the orchestral music surrounding it is to the point, enjoyable and straightforward. Making Robin Hood: Men in Tights enjoyable because of the orchestral voice and the amusing songs, while Mel Brooks' movie is somewhat behind all that.
Tracklisting
1. Marian (Duet Version): Cathy Dennis & Lance Ellington (3.35)
2. Main Title (3.03) Excellent track
3. Sherwood Forest Rap # 1: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (1.10)
4. Escape from Kahlil Prison (0.57)
5. Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage (1.05)
6. Stick Fight with Little John (1.47)
7. Prince John's Party / Robin's Entrance (1.28)
8. The Great Hall Fight (3.14)
9. Men in Tights: Merry Men Singers (1.23)
10. The Witch in the Tower (1.39)
11. Villager's Training Sequence (1.32)
12. The Night is Young: Arthur Rubin & the Merry Men Singers (1.48)
13. Romantic Marian (0.49)
14. Royal Country Fayre / The Abbott's March (1.31)
15. Villagers to the Rescue (2.19)
16. The Wedding (0.38)
17. Marian (Solo Version): Debbie James (1.36)
18. Sherwood Forest Rap # 2: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (0.23)
Total Length: 26.37
Of course, one way or another, the music pays tribute to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Michael Kamen's amazing heroic score of 1991). And the songs that are a part of that are enjoyable too. The love theme is heard during the opening pop version "Marian", but more memorable during "Marian (Solo Version)" which is beautifully sung by Debbie James, the lavish reworked version of Vaughn Monroe's The Night is Young is to be appreciated after that and the Merry Men themselves have their own take during "Men in Tights", which takes nothing for granted. Kevin Dorsey, the lead rap singer during the two songs is a nice addition to the already comic interludes.
But Hummie Mann's score is enjoyable as well, and especially darn right heroic from time to time. "Main Title" delivers you a fantastic heroic rendition of the main theme in 3 minutes of unbridled brass playing, besides a lovely take on the love theme. "Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage" successfully uses the orchestral version of "Row, Row, Row your Boat" and the National anthem of Great Britain, while "Stick Fight with Little John" is an amusing combination of Matrix like effects (you'll definitely spot them) and playful orchestral serenades. Furthermore there is more darkness in "The Witch in the Tower" and there's more romance with the love theme in "The Wedding", but altogether Robin Hood is truly the most enjoyable during the action tracks.
"Escape from Kahlil Prison" delivers us another take on the main theme, and "The Great Hall Fight" and "Villagers to the Rescue" take the action to the screen with more action based rhythms (and not specifically main theme statements). It's nonetheless enthralling stuff from time to time.
And for just 26 minutes, that means you're actually getting a lot more than one bargained for. It's an awfully short release, but if the time is spend well, then one should be happy with the brief result nonetheless. The main theme is truly a winner, and the orchestral music surrounding it is to the point, enjoyable and straightforward. Making Robin Hood: Men in Tights enjoyable because of the orchestral voice and the amusing songs, while Mel Brooks' movie is somewhat behind all that.
Tracklisting
1. Marian (Duet Version): Cathy Dennis & Lance Ellington (3.35)
2. Main Title (3.03) Excellent track
3. Sherwood Forest Rap # 1: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (1.10)
4. Escape from Kahlil Prison (0.57)
5. Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage (1.05)
6. Stick Fight with Little John (1.47)
7. Prince John's Party / Robin's Entrance (1.28)
8. The Great Hall Fight (3.14)
9. Men in Tights: Merry Men Singers (1.23)
10. The Witch in the Tower (1.39)
11. Villager's Training Sequence (1.32)
12. The Night is Young: Arthur Rubin & the Merry Men Singers (1.48)
13. Romantic Marian (0.49)
14. Royal Country Fayre / The Abbott's March (1.31)
15. Villagers to the Rescue (2.19)
16. The Wedding (0.38)
17. Marian (Solo Version): Debbie James (1.36)
18. Sherwood Forest Rap # 2: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (0.23)
Total Length: 26.37