Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Edward Shearmur
" Leading composer of the film music of tomorrow, I once thought "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The great thing about film music is, the possibilities you think of when you see the upcoming teaser or trailer of a movie. In case of Sky Captain, there is this old fashioned feel, recreating the look of a 50's sci-fi spectacle. Meaning one way or another we were all drooling once we saw and read that Edward Shearmur was on board. You see, Edward Shearmur was once considered to be the talent that would keep film music into high esteem, but like many great composers before him he fell down, and sparingly does projects that don't deserve his talent at all. Because one listen of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow proves you abundantly clear that this is filmmusic you don't get to hear anymore today. It has it all, detail, complex orchestrations, themes and spectacle in an overpowering listening experience for young and old.
Of course with an adventure movie as this, there needs to be the big adventure heroic theme, and this one flies early on in the game. There are hints towards one of the greatest superhero themes of all (Superman), but more it has that boisterous over the top heroism that I seem to miss in today's adventure music. Meaning no matter the resemblances, this is an amazing old fashioned theme that opens the album in "The World of Tomorrow".
And the action doesn't wait long after that. We have a dark march approaching in "The Robot Army", when we get a tremendous evil treatment of militaristic percussion and menacing choir, giving us that sense of evil very easily. Of course no evil without good and when Sky Captain makes his daring entrance, you'll discover why film music still breaths fire into your disappointed filmmusic heart. Aliens like orchestral music, bold brass, flutes and percussion all lead us towards that amazing heroic main theme.
There's a secondary theme as well, representing the love between Sky Captain and reporter Polly Perkins. This one sooths incredibly well the powerful loud adventurous music you'll be getting throughout your journey (appearing as well in "An Aquatic Escape", "Three in a Bed", "H-770-D" and "Totenkopf's Ark"). But it are the adventurous takes of Sky Captain that make this score memorable, and quite essentially some are now better than ever. "The Flying Wings Attack" is a daredevil of frantic action music, "Dynamite" even has among the powerful blasts an emotional statement of the love theme, there's an amazing additional heroic fanfare that enlightens "Finding Frankie", and it is this amazing fanfare that does wonders for the exciting "Manta Squadron" as well, giving Shearmur the chance to throw his arsenal of ideas and themes into an exciting brass heavy cue.
And in between all those thriving moments, Shearmur paints some additional mesmerizing statements too. "Flight to Nepal" has the main theme and a new epic (Lawrence of Arabia) theme, which repeats its magic in "Treacherous Journey", while the ending of the album delivers us an energetic cue ("Flying Lizard"), a bunch of resolving main theme statements "Back to Earth" and a dreamlike version of the song "Over the Rainbow".
But, sadly if I could say something bad about Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, it is that it begins to sound all alike after a while. Despite the amazing detail and the thunderous writing, it lacks a certain creative spark that's keeping it from that ultimate bullseye rating. Meaning, it's too much after while. And that's sad, because Sky Captain delivers you music you just don't hear anymore today. Like the greats that have left us and those that are still among us, there is this kind of old fashioned feel that runs through the 57 minute listening experience. It has incredibly crafted detailed orchestral music and a few moments of respite, making Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow a score you appreciate all the more today, because the music of today doesn't sound so riveting anymore.
Tracklisting
1. The World of Tomorrow (1.07)
2. The Zeppelin Arrives (1.53)
3. The Robot Army (3.01)
4. Calling Sky Captain (3.24) Excellent track
5. Back at the Base (2.48)
6. The Flying Wings Attack (6.31) Excellent track
7. An Aquatic Escape (2.29)
8. Flight to Nepal (4.36)
9. Treacherous Journey (2.22) Excellent track
10. Dynamite (2.26)
11. Three in a Bed (0.57)
12. Finding Frankie (5.00) Excellent track
13. Manta Squadron (6.31) Excellent track
14. H-770-D (1.14)
15. Flying Lizard (1.06)
16. Totenkopf's Ark (5.01)
17. Back to Earth (3.14)
18. Over the Rainbow: Jane Monheit (3.54)
Total Length: 57.52
Of course with an adventure movie as this, there needs to be the big adventure heroic theme, and this one flies early on in the game. There are hints towards one of the greatest superhero themes of all (Superman), but more it has that boisterous over the top heroism that I seem to miss in today's adventure music. Meaning no matter the resemblances, this is an amazing old fashioned theme that opens the album in "The World of Tomorrow".
And the action doesn't wait long after that. We have a dark march approaching in "The Robot Army", when we get a tremendous evil treatment of militaristic percussion and menacing choir, giving us that sense of evil very easily. Of course no evil without good and when Sky Captain makes his daring entrance, you'll discover why film music still breaths fire into your disappointed filmmusic heart. Aliens like orchestral music, bold brass, flutes and percussion all lead us towards that amazing heroic main theme.
There's a secondary theme as well, representing the love between Sky Captain and reporter Polly Perkins. This one sooths incredibly well the powerful loud adventurous music you'll be getting throughout your journey (appearing as well in "An Aquatic Escape", "Three in a Bed", "H-770-D" and "Totenkopf's Ark"). But it are the adventurous takes of Sky Captain that make this score memorable, and quite essentially some are now better than ever. "The Flying Wings Attack" is a daredevil of frantic action music, "Dynamite" even has among the powerful blasts an emotional statement of the love theme, there's an amazing additional heroic fanfare that enlightens "Finding Frankie", and it is this amazing fanfare that does wonders for the exciting "Manta Squadron" as well, giving Shearmur the chance to throw his arsenal of ideas and themes into an exciting brass heavy cue.
And in between all those thriving moments, Shearmur paints some additional mesmerizing statements too. "Flight to Nepal" has the main theme and a new epic (Lawrence of Arabia) theme, which repeats its magic in "Treacherous Journey", while the ending of the album delivers us an energetic cue ("Flying Lizard"), a bunch of resolving main theme statements "Back to Earth" and a dreamlike version of the song "Over the Rainbow".
But, sadly if I could say something bad about Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, it is that it begins to sound all alike after a while. Despite the amazing detail and the thunderous writing, it lacks a certain creative spark that's keeping it from that ultimate bullseye rating. Meaning, it's too much after while. And that's sad, because Sky Captain delivers you music you just don't hear anymore today. Like the greats that have left us and those that are still among us, there is this kind of old fashioned feel that runs through the 57 minute listening experience. It has incredibly crafted detailed orchestral music and a few moments of respite, making Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow a score you appreciate all the more today, because the music of today doesn't sound so riveting anymore.
Tracklisting
1. The World of Tomorrow (1.07)
2. The Zeppelin Arrives (1.53)
3. The Robot Army (3.01)
4. Calling Sky Captain (3.24) Excellent track
5. Back at the Base (2.48)
6. The Flying Wings Attack (6.31) Excellent track
7. An Aquatic Escape (2.29)
8. Flight to Nepal (4.36)
9. Treacherous Journey (2.22) Excellent track
10. Dynamite (2.26)
11. Three in a Bed (0.57)
12. Finding Frankie (5.00) Excellent track
13. Manta Squadron (6.31) Excellent track
14. H-770-D (1.14)
15. Flying Lizard (1.06)
16. Totenkopf's Ark (5.01)
17. Back to Earth (3.14)
18. Over the Rainbow: Jane Monheit (3.54)
Total Length: 57.52