Spider-Man
Danny Elfman
" Spidy receives some great moments, but it doesn't change the fact it remains an average listen "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the only composer worth recommending to score a brought to life comic book tale of them all?" Well you know the answer, and it isn't Snow-white. Danny Elfman of course was the logical choice, just like John Williams is that for Steven Spielberg films. While the movie was overall accepted as one of the best comic book translations ever, the score was equally highly anticipated. While Elfman of course was in his usual scoring mood, it still got me thinking that it simply didn't work. Elfman has tricks and tracks up the wazoo, but put all together it simply doesn't hold its web mighty strong. Spider-Man is made for the fans of the movie and composer, but I'm afraid Elfman regulars will see the score as a keeper for several highlights, but a misser for that which soundtracks need to do most, meaning the listening experience.
For me, this is the hardest part of Spider-Man, meaning the listening experience. As said, some tracks or moments are not to be questioned. The opener is a big winner and that for several reasons. While many complaint it wasn't big enough for the movie, it still got me started in thinking: "wow, what a ride". First of all, it has got multiple examples of the main theme and secondly, it at least kept the rhythm high for 3 minutes without a single bad moment. So easily the highlight of the score for me is "Main Title".
Another good and fun track is "Costume Montage" with its electric guitar version of the main theme. And of course the finale is a keeper, especially for its short impressionistic finale. I am still of the opinion that the climax in "Farewell" isn't completely reached (say like with Edward Scissorhands), but the choral writing for the end is still awe inspiring in every respect.
But then, the average material is mostly filling up the space that should have been filled instead by the really powerful material. "Revenge" has in the middle a moment where the choral accompanied music explodes with pride, but this is flanked by ideas that don't mean business, like the utterly painful chase music which simply brings me back to Men in Black, and that is bad.
In fact, Spider-Man keeps going on. "Parade Attack" is probably the most melodic action track and has at the end some soft wondrous moments, but that's basically it. Plus "Alone" and "Revelation" contain a love theme which is basically too light. People were complaining about the not big enough main theme but this is simply a bit too soft and normal for me. And last but not least, we have to mention the appearance of the main theme of The Family Man in "Parade Attack" (on 3.23) and the percussive laden "Specter of the Goblin" (which could have come from Planet of the Apes without a singular hesitance.
It is this entire combination of good vs bad that keeps Spider-Man from hitting bulls-eye. It has the good moments, the wonderful choral sections and in my book a very fitting main theme. But it also has the weaker parts, and they seem to take up most of the time. Spider-Man of composer Danny Elfman is an acceptable score for its highlights, but a weaker album when it concerns the listening experience.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title (3.30) Excellent track
2. Transformations (3.31)
3. Costume Montage (1.19)
4. Revenge (6.13)
5. First Web (0.56)
6. Something's Present (1.17)
7. City Montage (1.49)
8. Alone (1.37)
9. Parade Attack (3.54)
10. Specter of the Goblin (3.47)
11. Revelation (2.32)
12. Getting Through (2.04)
13. Final Confrontation (7.19)
14. Farewell (3.11) Excellent track
15. End Credits (1.54)
Total Length: 45.02
For me, this is the hardest part of Spider-Man, meaning the listening experience. As said, some tracks or moments are not to be questioned. The opener is a big winner and that for several reasons. While many complaint it wasn't big enough for the movie, it still got me started in thinking: "wow, what a ride". First of all, it has got multiple examples of the main theme and secondly, it at least kept the rhythm high for 3 minutes without a single bad moment. So easily the highlight of the score for me is "Main Title".
Another good and fun track is "Costume Montage" with its electric guitar version of the main theme. And of course the finale is a keeper, especially for its short impressionistic finale. I am still of the opinion that the climax in "Farewell" isn't completely reached (say like with Edward Scissorhands), but the choral writing for the end is still awe inspiring in every respect.
But then, the average material is mostly filling up the space that should have been filled instead by the really powerful material. "Revenge" has in the middle a moment where the choral accompanied music explodes with pride, but this is flanked by ideas that don't mean business, like the utterly painful chase music which simply brings me back to Men in Black, and that is bad.
In fact, Spider-Man keeps going on. "Parade Attack" is probably the most melodic action track and has at the end some soft wondrous moments, but that's basically it. Plus "Alone" and "Revelation" contain a love theme which is basically too light. People were complaining about the not big enough main theme but this is simply a bit too soft and normal for me. And last but not least, we have to mention the appearance of the main theme of The Family Man in "Parade Attack" (on 3.23) and the percussive laden "Specter of the Goblin" (which could have come from Planet of the Apes without a singular hesitance.
It is this entire combination of good vs bad that keeps Spider-Man from hitting bulls-eye. It has the good moments, the wonderful choral sections and in my book a very fitting main theme. But it also has the weaker parts, and they seem to take up most of the time. Spider-Man of composer Danny Elfman is an acceptable score for its highlights, but a weaker album when it concerns the listening experience.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title (3.30) Excellent track
2. Transformations (3.31)
3. Costume Montage (1.19)
4. Revenge (6.13)
5. First Web (0.56)
6. Something's Present (1.17)
7. City Montage (1.49)
8. Alone (1.37)
9. Parade Attack (3.54)
10. Specter of the Goblin (3.47)
11. Revelation (2.32)
12. Getting Through (2.04)
13. Final Confrontation (7.19)
14. Farewell (3.11) Excellent track
15. End Credits (1.54)
Total Length: 45.02