The soundtrack is an integral part of every film,but little of The Golden Compass’ score has been heard thus far. Here, then is our review of a promotional copy of the score – composed by Alexandre Desplat. Our reviewer, Heather, finds it a little disappointing, noting that too many tracks simply blend into the background. Overall though, she is positive about the soundtrack and considers it “quite charming.” You can read the full review here.
Content © 2001-2011 BridgeToTheStars.Net.
Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.
Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.
I am a little dissapointed that the music is not fantastic, but at least some tracks are good. I can’t wait to see the movie.
How can you make comments like – “Very few of the tracks ever really take off”, “very few of the tracks have that recognisable quality to them””The song ‘Lyra’, sung by Kate Bush, is a major disappointment “, “The worst aspect of the song “- how can you give it a 4 out 5 ?
“Having said that, the soundtrack pleases more than it disappoints.”
How ? You shredded it. A review isnt’ a reason to to look for something to complain about. I am looking forward to hearing it myself.
From what I’ve gathered, soundtrack enthusiasts and such critical types swear by Alexander Desplat so I don’t think they were going ‘Desplat who?’ more like ‘Desplat yes!’, which is how I felt after hearing his music.
Desplat seems to be known for creating subtle, intricate melodies instead of going for easy grandiose crescendo-type work to manipulate your emotions. Since The Golden Compass is far more focused on intricacies and relationships than LoTR, I think this kind of soundtrack is much more fitting than one like Shore’s. I doubt I’ll be disappointed.
Well, I personally feel that Alexandre Desplat is perfectly suited to bring the His Dark Materials to musical life. He is an expert at setting the mood and drawing you in subtly and inexorably with his enchanting orchestrations. Of course, I haven’t heard the music yet, but from what little I’ve heard in the clips released, I think it’s safe to say that he’s probably done a really superb job. Most of the initial reviews have been much more positive than this one.
The song “Lyra” by Kate Bush is also excellent, in my opinion. The lyrics, melody, and instrumentation are simple, yes, but I think this is appropriate after what I have heard is a whirlwind of a ride during the film’s final hour. And, yes, the listener should be able to connect personally to this song. The story is, after all, Lyra’s story, and after endearing herself to the audience, listeners should be able to feel love for her and hope for the best during the journey that is obviously yet to come. Perhaps the song would have had more poignancy, had the ending of the film been left intact. As it is, the audience is surely left feeling that there is a lot more story to be told, and that this struggle is far too grand for a little girl–however feisty and spunky she may be–to bear. That being said, the wistful, pensive, and haunting mood of “Lyra” seems to be more than appropriate.
I’m sorry, that was a review?
Anyway, well said Mockingbird.
I for one thought the review was quite good. Whether or not I agree with it will depend on when I hear the whole thing for myself, but from what I’ve heard from the released clips I agree. The score is good, but doesn’t really transcend its use as background music for the movie. I know some people prefer that music stay in the background, but I like it when the music comes out and becomes a character itself…music is such an emotional medium, it’s a waste if it’s left to meander in the background. And I don’t mean it has to blare over everything, I just mean the music needs to stand out and be unique even if it’s quiet and subtle.
First off, I never said no one had ever heard of Desplat, I said I hadn’t.
Secondly, I never ‘shredded’ the soundtrack at all, I said it was slightly disapointing and pointed out its bad points. That’s what a review is meant to do you know. Just because it’s an OK soundtrack does not mean that it doesn’t have bad bits, did you want me to be ‘oooh, this is wonderful!’ and not point out its faults?
And finally, whilst the music might be ‘suitable’ for the film, that’s for you to judge when you see the movie. I haven’t seen the movie, so I can only judge the music on its own, but I think that all soundtracks should be able to stand on their own as music in their own right. There are very few tracks on this album which can do that.
thanks for the review heather. one question: is there a long track at the end that’s as emotional as “breaking of the fellowship”?
Heather, I never said that you said no one has ever heard of Desplat. 😛 I said that critical types who follow these things have certainly heard of him. Being a commoner, I never heard of him either until he became attached to TGC, I have subsequently heard and come to appreciate his work very much.
Gabe: I don’t think it’s quite a personal choice whether you want a soundtrack to remain in the background or not. I don’t think music is supposed to be a character anymore than special effects is supposed to be a character(though I guess that’s a bad analogy for this movie). All these things are technically meant to enhance and support the story, and with good reason.
Definitely the music should be unique, I think Desplat is rather unique, and I thought the few clips we’ve heard from him were just prominent enough, but this is personal opinion.
“Definitely the music should be unique, I think Desplat is rather unique” : I would agree with that; certainly the bear fight music is very unique.
chicara – the Epilogue track is rather emotional, but I think the absense of any extremely emotional scenes in the film (except perhaps the intercision) leaves Desplat with little occassion to construct much music with a deep emotional effect.
As I said, I do want Desplat to score the next two films as well.
Heather –
Do you think that perhaps the soundtrack could have been better had the ending of the film been left intact? You mentioned that there aren’t many scenes with really deep emotional impacts and that the soundtrack somewhat suffers from that lack. Perhaps if the ending had been left intact–and therefore, if Desplat’s score for that scene had been included in the soundtrack–then the soundtrack itself would be a better overall package?