The Mummy
Jerry Goldsmith
" Jummyfying the mummifying is. "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
As always, Jerry Goldsmith was that "bit" more concerning action, that "bit" more concerning fun. While he scored two adventurous soundtracks (namely The 13th Warrior and The Mummy) in 1999, it is the latter one which holds that extra "bit" if it concerns the fans. I for one have to agree on that matter. It is a guilty pleasure to hear those riveting sounds when Goldsmith pushes the envelope, strengthens the power and let's loose the timpani and percussion.
While I find The 13th Warrior to be a solid good score, it cannot keep me enthralled if I listen to such a piece of joy as The Mummy. The movie, a winning adventurous return back to the golden age genre puts Jerry Goldsmith back in the spotlights for sure. No matter the position or context, the inspiration never left him when it involved writing winning melodies. He may not have been a fan of the movie in general, he shows what he thought of The Mummy musically.
Goldsmith remains Goldsmith. He's the kind of composer who ties the whole soundtrack together through themes. The main adventure theme alongside its variations will fuel the action, while his love theme will support the romance on screen. This presents both the undying romance of Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun as the blossoming love between Evelyn and Rick. These themes drive the story musically, putting around the driving energy that makes the score a killer in its genre.
Because The Mummy still thunders the most when we encounter the adventurous moments.
The score bursts of life through the amazing energy of "Tauger Attack", "Night Boarders", "Rebirth" and "The Sand Volcano". "Tauger Attack" is brilliant through its Scorpion King-like energy while "Night Boarders" presents us that addictive adventure theme. The 8 minute "Rebirth" is nothing more than eight minutes of rollicking fun. Watch out for the hidden treasure amongst you Goldsmith fans (The Twilight Zone theme makes an appearance around the third minute).
Of course similarities between other Arabic projects are evident. So expect the trademarks that fuelled The Wind and the Lion as The 13th Warrior. But luckily Goldsmith knows when to surprise us again. The choral "The Caravan" and the amazing love version during "The Camel Race" are just top notch Jerry Goldsmith.
Nothing less than mind blowing pleasure awaits you in The Mummy. The movie itself is a fun overblown ride throughout the desert, bringing forth a lovely connection between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, while visually it presents the best of the best. Musically Jerry Goldsmith could always be relied upon and The Mummy surely is one of his most entertaining of the 90's. Recommended stuff who wants his music loud, exciting and adventurous.
Tracklisting
1. Imhotep (4.16)
2. The Sarcophagus (2.13)
3. Tauger Attack (2.19) Excellent track
4. Giza Port (1.58)
5. Night Borders (4.05) Excellent track
6. The Caravan (2.48)
7. Camel Race (3.22) Excellent track
8. The Crypt (2.22)
9. Mumia Attack (2.16)
10. Discoveries (3.37)
11. My Favorite Plague (3.55)
12. Crowd Control (3.09)
13. Rebirth (8.29) Excellent track
14. The Mummy (6.15)
15. The Sand Volcano (5.41) Excellent track
Total Length: 57.46
While I find The 13th Warrior to be a solid good score, it cannot keep me enthralled if I listen to such a piece of joy as The Mummy. The movie, a winning adventurous return back to the golden age genre puts Jerry Goldsmith back in the spotlights for sure. No matter the position or context, the inspiration never left him when it involved writing winning melodies. He may not have been a fan of the movie in general, he shows what he thought of The Mummy musically.
Goldsmith remains Goldsmith. He's the kind of composer who ties the whole soundtrack together through themes. The main adventure theme alongside its variations will fuel the action, while his love theme will support the romance on screen. This presents both the undying romance of Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun as the blossoming love between Evelyn and Rick. These themes drive the story musically, putting around the driving energy that makes the score a killer in its genre.
Because The Mummy still thunders the most when we encounter the adventurous moments.
The score bursts of life through the amazing energy of "Tauger Attack", "Night Boarders", "Rebirth" and "The Sand Volcano". "Tauger Attack" is brilliant through its Scorpion King-like energy while "Night Boarders" presents us that addictive adventure theme. The 8 minute "Rebirth" is nothing more than eight minutes of rollicking fun. Watch out for the hidden treasure amongst you Goldsmith fans (The Twilight Zone theme makes an appearance around the third minute).
Of course similarities between other Arabic projects are evident. So expect the trademarks that fuelled The Wind and the Lion as The 13th Warrior. But luckily Goldsmith knows when to surprise us again. The choral "The Caravan" and the amazing love version during "The Camel Race" are just top notch Jerry Goldsmith.
Nothing less than mind blowing pleasure awaits you in The Mummy. The movie itself is a fun overblown ride throughout the desert, bringing forth a lovely connection between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, while visually it presents the best of the best. Musically Jerry Goldsmith could always be relied upon and The Mummy surely is one of his most entertaining of the 90's. Recommended stuff who wants his music loud, exciting and adventurous.
Tracklisting
1. Imhotep (4.16)
2. The Sarcophagus (2.13)
3. Tauger Attack (2.19) Excellent track
4. Giza Port (1.58)
5. Night Borders (4.05) Excellent track
6. The Caravan (2.48)
7. Camel Race (3.22) Excellent track
8. The Crypt (2.22)
9. Mumia Attack (2.16)
10. Discoveries (3.37)
11. My Favorite Plague (3.55)
12. Crowd Control (3.09)
13. Rebirth (8.29) Excellent track
14. The Mummy (6.15)
15. The Sand Volcano (5.41) Excellent track
Total Length: 57.46