The Rocketeer
James Horner
" Put on your helmet, its time for a flying circus "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Where are the days when you could pick out a score by James Horner and simply have tremendous fun with it, more not ask questions like: OK, where does this piece comes from?" He continues to write them, but scores like The Rocketeer is one I keep coming back at and simply need nothing but a good mood to put me in a really good mood. Nothing makes me happier than this and it cements James Horner as one of the ultimate greats of orchestral energetic music.
Because what fun do we have with this score, a rousing soundtrack that contains Horner giving it all he's got and more, making the movie such a fun ride to watch. First of all, the score is just everything I want of a soundtrack, the perfect and best themes suitable for the movie, the most profound listening experience, the highlights which spark a score into musical heaven, the appropriate time and the Horner we all love, basically we couldn't ask for much more on a soundtrack. That there are two period songs don't even disturb at all, making sure that a well written score and a well produced release can make you smile.
All right, lets start cooking, something Horner does equally from the start. The begin is slow and states the theme on piano, but when it starts rising to a heroic encore you know you're in for a treat. "Main Title / Takeoff" is then also a wonderful opener. The second track is still all what people love of Horner, a rousing adventurous, heroic piece full of fanfares of the main theme and containing the awesome pace Horner delivered so well back then. Even more, hints from his all time greats like Star Trek II and III are heard throughout the circus experience.
The love theme is also extremely attractive, "Jenny" captures more of Horner's repertoire (like Cocoon for instance) and creates a nicely developed concert arrangement of the theme for Jennifer Connelly. And when a darker and softer cue like "Neville Sinclair's House" flows through the listening experience, you easily accept it once it centers its surroundings around Jenny's theme and Brainstorm's tinkling rhythm. Of course that is but a memory once we reach one of the most exciting finales of Horner's rich career. In "The Zeppelin" be ready for some of the best opening minutes of James Horner's repertoire, and "Rocketeer to the Rescue / End Title" is one of those all time favourite suites you just can't stop listening to.
Today The Rocketeer would be an easy 5 star rating. Because music like this is not heard anymore today, not of Horner, not of anyone else. Back then James Horner had to write but a whim to create something so energetic, so fun, so majestic. Back then he was truly the king of the adventure movies. Today it is music that vaporizes practically any blockbuster effort of the summer. But times are different, movies aren't the same anymore and everything's darker, grittier and a lot more serious. The Rocketeer may not be a five star score if you compare it with everything we heard of him, but it sure feels that way, simply because it transports us back so easily to Horner when he was matching fun with amazing fun. Recommended if you're the least interested in filmmusic.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title / Takeoff (4.43) Excellent track
2. The Flying Circus (6.24) Excellent track
3. Jenny (5.13)
4. Begin the Beguine: Melora Hardin (3.46)
5. Neville Sinclair's House (7.23)
6. Jenny's Rescue (3.24)
7. Rendezvous at Griffith Park Observatory (8.12)
8. When Your Lover Has Gone: Melora Hardin (3.29)
9. The Zeppelin (7.58) Excellent track
10. Rocketeer to the Rescue / End Title (6.36) Excellent track
Total Length: 57.21
Because what fun do we have with this score, a rousing soundtrack that contains Horner giving it all he's got and more, making the movie such a fun ride to watch. First of all, the score is just everything I want of a soundtrack, the perfect and best themes suitable for the movie, the most profound listening experience, the highlights which spark a score into musical heaven, the appropriate time and the Horner we all love, basically we couldn't ask for much more on a soundtrack. That there are two period songs don't even disturb at all, making sure that a well written score and a well produced release can make you smile.
All right, lets start cooking, something Horner does equally from the start. The begin is slow and states the theme on piano, but when it starts rising to a heroic encore you know you're in for a treat. "Main Title / Takeoff" is then also a wonderful opener. The second track is still all what people love of Horner, a rousing adventurous, heroic piece full of fanfares of the main theme and containing the awesome pace Horner delivered so well back then. Even more, hints from his all time greats like Star Trek II and III are heard throughout the circus experience.
The love theme is also extremely attractive, "Jenny" captures more of Horner's repertoire (like Cocoon for instance) and creates a nicely developed concert arrangement of the theme for Jennifer Connelly. And when a darker and softer cue like "Neville Sinclair's House" flows through the listening experience, you easily accept it once it centers its surroundings around Jenny's theme and Brainstorm's tinkling rhythm. Of course that is but a memory once we reach one of the most exciting finales of Horner's rich career. In "The Zeppelin" be ready for some of the best opening minutes of James Horner's repertoire, and "Rocketeer to the Rescue / End Title" is one of those all time favourite suites you just can't stop listening to.
Today The Rocketeer would be an easy 5 star rating. Because music like this is not heard anymore today, not of Horner, not of anyone else. Back then James Horner had to write but a whim to create something so energetic, so fun, so majestic. Back then he was truly the king of the adventure movies. Today it is music that vaporizes practically any blockbuster effort of the summer. But times are different, movies aren't the same anymore and everything's darker, grittier and a lot more serious. The Rocketeer may not be a five star score if you compare it with everything we heard of him, but it sure feels that way, simply because it transports us back so easily to Horner when he was matching fun with amazing fun. Recommended if you're the least interested in filmmusic.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title / Takeoff (4.43) Excellent track
2. The Flying Circus (6.24) Excellent track
3. Jenny (5.13)
4. Begin the Beguine: Melora Hardin (3.46)
5. Neville Sinclair's House (7.23)
6. Jenny's Rescue (3.24)
7. Rendezvous at Griffith Park Observatory (8.12)
8. When Your Lover Has Gone: Melora Hardin (3.29)
9. The Zeppelin (7.58) Excellent track
10. Rocketeer to the Rescue / End Title (6.36) Excellent track
Total Length: 57.21