Ghostbusters (2016)
Theodore Shapiro
" Don't bother to call me after this "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Could we expect something out of the ordinary, coming from one of the most hated films on earth? Ghostbusters was doomed to fail ever since it delivered it's first teaser on us. Music wise, I was ready to strike this one down even before I heard it. But gradually I got to like what I heard, enough to give it a second try. But eventually I started disliking it again, because the good aspects of the first attempt (powerful mix, lots of choir and a couple of entertaining loud versions of the Ghostbusters theme) couldn't hide what was basically a loud but (mostly) soulless effort of Shapiro. Don't get me wrong, this is perfect for the new version. Elmer Bernstein's effort never would have worked in this one. Shapiro instead goes overboard and throws an overblown action effort to it that will probably work in the picture. On disc however I discovered that I had to drag myself through the first 14 tracks to get to the decent and sometimes even entertaining action tracks. Shapiro delivered a far more noticeable score than Spy, but take away the heroic theme and the iconic Ghostbusters tune, and it would sound kinda .... see through.
Sometimes music for me doesn't need to be loud, it needs to be passionate. This is like other blockbusters scores void of passion, no matter how powerful it will probably present itself inside the picture. 2 stars for the first 14 tracks, 3 for the rest.
Several tracks like "Distinct Human Form" and "Ghost in a Box" can entertain me, a strong heroic touch and an uber tiny reference to the tune to get us excited about.
It's a strong potent mix, I'll give them that.
"Ley Lines" and "Battle of Times Square" deliver the one and only Ghostbusters tune in full (without the vocals of Ray Parker Jr. of course, because that would be ... unheard off).
Perhaps one of the best tracks is "The Fourth Cataclysm", it's thrilling mix of ideas that entertained me, this containing the decent heroic main theme.
Eventually it bored me during my second attempt.
Naturally it's as far away from the original Bernstein score as can be expected.
Why are we listening to tracks such as "Ghost Girl"? It offers literally zilch of (interesting) material :(.
At times it feels like I'm listening to This is the End of Henry Jackman. Weird considering I had this the most with the cue "The Power of Patty Compels You". Coincidence?
Track Listing
1. The Aldridge Mansion (2.57)
2. The Garrett Attack (1.30)
3. Never Invited (1.24)
4. Distinct Human Form (2.27)
5. The Universe Shall Bend (2.23)
6. Subway Ghost Attack (3.22)
7. Ghost Girl (1.00)
8. Mannequins (2.13)
9. Ghost in a Box (0.51)
10. Dr. Heiss (3.22)
11. Ley Lines (3.47)
12. Pester the Living (2.48)
13. I Will Lead Them All (2.17)
14. The Power of Patty Compels You (2.17)
15. The Fourth Cataclysm (3.32)
16. Balloon Parade (1.58)
17. Battle of Times Square (3.21)
18. Entering the Mercado (2.31)
19. Behemoth (3.43)
20. Into the Portal (3.08)
21. NY Heart GB (0.50)
Total Length: 51.41
Sometimes music for me doesn't need to be loud, it needs to be passionate. This is like other blockbusters scores void of passion, no matter how powerful it will probably present itself inside the picture. 2 stars for the first 14 tracks, 3 for the rest.
Several tracks like "Distinct Human Form" and "Ghost in a Box" can entertain me, a strong heroic touch and an uber tiny reference to the tune to get us excited about.
It's a strong potent mix, I'll give them that.
"Ley Lines" and "Battle of Times Square" deliver the one and only Ghostbusters tune in full (without the vocals of Ray Parker Jr. of course, because that would be ... unheard off).
Perhaps one of the best tracks is "The Fourth Cataclysm", it's thrilling mix of ideas that entertained me, this containing the decent heroic main theme.
Eventually it bored me during my second attempt.
Naturally it's as far away from the original Bernstein score as can be expected.
Why are we listening to tracks such as "Ghost Girl"? It offers literally zilch of (interesting) material :(.
At times it feels like I'm listening to This is the End of Henry Jackman. Weird considering I had this the most with the cue "The Power of Patty Compels You". Coincidence?
Track Listing
1. The Aldridge Mansion (2.57)
2. The Garrett Attack (1.30)
3. Never Invited (1.24)
4. Distinct Human Form (2.27)
5. The Universe Shall Bend (2.23)
6. Subway Ghost Attack (3.22)
7. Ghost Girl (1.00)
8. Mannequins (2.13)
9. Ghost in a Box (0.51)
10. Dr. Heiss (3.22)
11. Ley Lines (3.47)
12. Pester the Living (2.48)
13. I Will Lead Them All (2.17)
14. The Power of Patty Compels You (2.17)
15. The Fourth Cataclysm (3.32)
16. Balloon Parade (1.58)
17. Battle of Times Square (3.21)
18. Entering the Mercado (2.31)
19. Behemoth (3.43)
20. Into the Portal (3.08)
21. NY Heart GB (0.50)
Total Length: 51.41