Danny Elfman

Film

Epic Film Score Finally Released: THE MONKEY KING

December 12, 2015 | Ryan Paquet | Comments Off on Epic Film Score Finally Released: THE MONKEY KING Share this

You may not have heard of this Chinese blockbuster film, and I am by no means encouraging you to watch it – but Christopher Young’s score won the 2014 International Film Music Critics Award this past April. The score was released by Intrada Records who this year released the complete scores to all of the films in the Jaws series.

The record label celebrated its 30th Anniversary this year and The Monkey King is one of their four final releases of the year. The other 3 releases included the unused score to Something Wicked This Way Comes by Georges Delerue, an expanded release of Danny Elfman’s score to Edward Scissorhands, and a 2 CD Paramount Film Noir collection.

Christopher Young fashions his most powerful, epic-scale work ever. Scored for large orchestra with augmented percussion plus choir, Young provides magnificent music full of rich melody, pulsating rhythmic drive and – in particular – incredible action sequences. Avoiding dissonance per se, Young hits the bullseye with lengthy, tonal harmonies, soaring themes even as his action material dominates. Action cues with emotion. Action cues with scope. Sensational, powerful music is the result!

-Intrada

I have already ordered my copy of the CD, which you can purchase for $19.99. Head on over to Intrada’s website to listen to the samples yourself, you may be just as impressed as I was with the score.

Have you seen the The Monkey King? Is this a score you are planning on picking up?
Game Music

FABLE III: A Fable in and of Itself

November 15, 2010 | Gideon Dabi | 4 Comments Share this FABLE III: A Fable in and of Itself

With the exception of some rehashed film music, Danny Elfman’s only real foray into the world of video game music is 2005’s Fable. Even still, he only provided the main theme of the game which – compared to Danny Elfman’s usual work – was fairly pedestrian. The rest of the score was composed by Lionhead’s head of sound and music, Russell Shaw. Much like the game, the score for Fable had a lot of promise but never quite hit that resonant spot it should have.

Fable II‘s score expanded on a lot of the thematic ideas and presentation of the original but began tinkering with more music box aesthetics as well as some more interesting rhythmic concepts. The opening theme, in particular, presents a charming and memorable waltz. However, for some reason, many still pined for Elfman.

So, now we have Russell Shaw’s Fable III soundtrack in hand. Without a doubt, this is easily the best score of the series. (more…)
Film

PREDATORS: John Debney Hunts Down Silvestri’s Themes and More

October 29, 2010 | Gideon Dabi | 1 Comment Share this

The mid-late 1980s was a godsend for fans of action films. The era that produced Rambo, Aliens, Die Hard, and Lethal Weapon also produced [convicted] John McTiernan’s other great masterpiece, Predator. Though many of these films were haphazardly riddled with dated licensed tunes, it is no shocker that this era also saw the rise of several composers to prominence in the genre (and, thusly, the rest of the film industry) – James Horner, Danny Elfman, and Ira Newborn to name a few. Another of the champions – if not chief among them – is Alan Silvestri.

Most famous for composing the music for the legendary and timeless Back to the Future series, Alan Silvestri also helmed a stirring and iconic Predator score in 1987. These themes have been brought to new life thanks to Iron Man 2‘s John Debney. (more…)