Vantage Point
Atli Örvarsson
" effective and average for those who enjoyed the movie "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Vantage Point is a unique thriller where an assassination attempt is made on the president of the United States of America. The plot goes further when it explores 5 different views all leading to the moment when the shot has been made. This culminates in an explosive roller coaster where a chase and emotional climax reaches its pinnacle. An editing nightmare, all the leads bring their own unique emotional response to the inevitable climax and you can't thank enough the wonderful unique way how it leads to the explosive finale. And Clone composer Atli Örvarsson of the Remote Control school is there to tie up the loose ends.
The score opens with the main title which works its way around an emotional setting of duduk, guitar and ethnic pipes. It is not something exciting but it works well if you favor RC tunes. "Motorcade" is a different story as it unleashes the suspenseful arrival of the presidential motorcade. Expect the beats and rougher darker material with that too.
The ethnic titled "Enrique and Veronica" bring back memories of Gladiator's ethnic music and sum up the (un)trustworthy relationship between Enrique and his love Veronica. The other touching relationship is between "Lewis and Anna", providing a lovely titled guitar solo that almost works as a love between the man and the young girl.
The chase between Enrique and the bodyguards is fueled by the same electronic music you often hear coming of Harry Gregson-Williams, Steve Jablonsky and various other clones of Hans Zimmer. Meaning they don't offer the craftsmanship and refinement as Zimmer does it. The same can be said of "The Chase Begins". I can't say it is ugly considering it works and listens effectively. But it is not what we haven't heard before.
"Serendipity" holds a wonderful arsenal of percussive rhythms all leading to the climatic resolution. The guitar titled "Epilogue" covering the theme between Lewis and Anna and the resolving main theme statement provides us already with the finale while the album is just halfway. Because what follows is the suspenseful chase music of "Tightening Circle" which loses its effective qualities due to the rather unorganized mess. And the same counts for "Clockwork".
Luckily the nice "The President is Safe" follows soon after that, bringing a touching main theme performance. After that follows "Explosion Aftermath" (another culmination of effective sound design), "Suarez' Plan" which holds lighter suspenseful underscore and the return of the main theme through guitar, vocal and beats in "Vantage Point End Title".
Altogether this is not enough for some, but effective and average for those who enjoyed the movie. In context everything falls into place, and in context the best moments of the score rise to the occasion in the movie. And it is knowing that which makes Vantage Point bearable and effective enough as a stand alone listen. I can see why the album is sequenced in this order. But it doesn't make sense because in the original order it would have given us a better resolving finish. See the movie, it is worth a try. And by doing so you'll get a clear example whether or not the music will be to your satisfaction.
Tracklisting
1. Vantage Point Main Title (2.42)
2. Motorcade (1.36)
3. Enrique and Veronica (2.54)
4. Run Enrique Run * (2.33)
5. Lewis and Anna (1.19)
6. President and Decoy (1.38)
7. The Chase Begins (2.51)
8. Serendipity (4.39)
9. Epilogue (1.54)
10. Tightening Circle *+ (3.18)
11. Clockwork (5.08)
12. The President is Safe (1.15)
13. Explosion Aftermath (3.38)
14. Suarez' Plan (3.58)
15. Vantage Point End Title (2.02)
* Co written with Ryeland Allison
*+ Co written with Henry Price Jackman
Total Length: 41.31
The score opens with the main title which works its way around an emotional setting of duduk, guitar and ethnic pipes. It is not something exciting but it works well if you favor RC tunes. "Motorcade" is a different story as it unleashes the suspenseful arrival of the presidential motorcade. Expect the beats and rougher darker material with that too.
The ethnic titled "Enrique and Veronica" bring back memories of Gladiator's ethnic music and sum up the (un)trustworthy relationship between Enrique and his love Veronica. The other touching relationship is between "Lewis and Anna", providing a lovely titled guitar solo that almost works as a love between the man and the young girl.
The chase between Enrique and the bodyguards is fueled by the same electronic music you often hear coming of Harry Gregson-Williams, Steve Jablonsky and various other clones of Hans Zimmer. Meaning they don't offer the craftsmanship and refinement as Zimmer does it. The same can be said of "The Chase Begins". I can't say it is ugly considering it works and listens effectively. But it is not what we haven't heard before.
"Serendipity" holds a wonderful arsenal of percussive rhythms all leading to the climatic resolution. The guitar titled "Epilogue" covering the theme between Lewis and Anna and the resolving main theme statement provides us already with the finale while the album is just halfway. Because what follows is the suspenseful chase music of "Tightening Circle" which loses its effective qualities due to the rather unorganized mess. And the same counts for "Clockwork".
Luckily the nice "The President is Safe" follows soon after that, bringing a touching main theme performance. After that follows "Explosion Aftermath" (another culmination of effective sound design), "Suarez' Plan" which holds lighter suspenseful underscore and the return of the main theme through guitar, vocal and beats in "Vantage Point End Title".
Altogether this is not enough for some, but effective and average for those who enjoyed the movie. In context everything falls into place, and in context the best moments of the score rise to the occasion in the movie. And it is knowing that which makes Vantage Point bearable and effective enough as a stand alone listen. I can see why the album is sequenced in this order. But it doesn't make sense because in the original order it would have given us a better resolving finish. See the movie, it is worth a try. And by doing so you'll get a clear example whether or not the music will be to your satisfaction.
Tracklisting
1. Vantage Point Main Title (2.42)
2. Motorcade (1.36)
3. Enrique and Veronica (2.54)
4. Run Enrique Run * (2.33)
5. Lewis and Anna (1.19)
6. President and Decoy (1.38)
7. The Chase Begins (2.51)
8. Serendipity (4.39)
9. Epilogue (1.54)
10. Tightening Circle *+ (3.18)
11. Clockwork (5.08)
12. The President is Safe (1.15)
13. Explosion Aftermath (3.38)
14. Suarez' Plan (3.58)
15. Vantage Point End Title (2.02)
* Co written with Ryeland Allison
*+ Co written with Henry Price Jackman
Total Length: 41.31