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Spy Game is GOOD!

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Author	Topic: Spy Game is GOOD!

HadrianD Oscar® Winner	I saw this movie today and I have to say, what a good movie to see. Compare to Harry Potty, this was a better choice to see. But I guess I was never a Potty fan, like it matters. A good story, with good performances throughout. Tony Scott's direction is slick but not flashy. Editing tricks were used only at certain points to heighten particular emotions or ideas. The score by Harry gelled so with the images and thematic element that, on those merits alone, he should get some award or something. Lovely themes for Nathan and for the relationship between Tom and that girl too. Unlike Enemy of the States (because it had Trevor Rabin)and Like EOTS (it had Harry), the score is But with MV haters, they'll think it's loud or offensive or something (maybe because it had electronic OOOh . Though Williams' Potty score was mixed much louder than needed. So obtrusive that I had to cover my ear at some point. Overall, I recommend Spy Game, as an alternative to the HP hype, though it is better. HP is too much of something for kids. Spy Game, though not for kids most of the time, should be watched. IMHO FOUR STARS out of Five. *ADDENDUM* I got the OST when it came out and it was a very interesting experience. It is in chronological order, though some cues were shorten. Most of the musical ideas are on the CD and it covers a wide range, going from Chinese to techno/pop to Vietnamese vocal stylization (yes, finally!), then to some Zimmer-inspired passage representing Berlin to Middle eastern, and Chinese again, with various strings/backbeat style cues. But most MV haters will remain indifferent anyway . [Message edited by HadrianD on 11-25-2001]
posted 11-25-2001 02:20 AM PT (US)

Hasta Oscar® Winner	I didn't like the movie, or at least not nearly as much as I'd thought... The problem for me was how it played out like a music video. I swear to god, every second of the film must have had music of some sort playing. I like Tony Scott (out of all the directors to spawn from Bruckheimer, he's my favorite), but he disappointement me with this one... He filmed every scene like something huge was happening, when clearly it wasn't... The constant swooping cameras in a circle motion made me think I was watching a Michael Bay film, and Harry Gregson-Williams' score hit us so hard over the head I couldn't let loose... I guess I could have gotten passed the many flaws in the film, however, if I didn't find it as boring as I did... The acting was good enough, but the story just wasn't very engrossing. Oh well. Those are my thoughts. By the way, Gregson-Williams' score makes for a much better listen on CD than in film, of which it was pretty bad ( those boy sopranos were there WHY? Jesus they were so horribly out of place I can't even begin to explain ) [Message edited by Hasta on 11-25-2001]
posted 11-25-2001 04:00 AM PT (US)

Dinko Oscar® Winner	Will see movie this afternoon.
posted 11-25-2001 05:54 AM PT (US)

HadrianD Oscar® Winner	Harry's score "hit" us in the same way Williams' score pounded down on me. I really didn't think it was that loud compare to the Potty one. The movie had an engrossing plot for me, since I didn't complain about how long it was like when I saw HP. Tony Scott certain cut scenes much slower, comparatively speaking, than Bay's style. The circular camera motion is more of a Tony Scott trademark, going back to the Days of Thunder, when he first started. But music video it wasn't. Music every second? Are you talking about HP also? Eh everybody has an opinion. Note: I don't like alot about the Potty experience, but the experience shared many traits with Spy Game so I felt compelled to make some obvious comparison.
posted 11-25-2001 12:39 PM PT (US)

Hasta Oscar® Winner	Well I too thought that Williams' score for HP hit us over the head far too much.
posted 11-25-2001 01:30 PM PT (US)

Dinko Oscar® Winner	Saw movie. Boring movie. Bunch of people talking. A ridiculously unrealistic only-in-a-movie plot which falls apart the moment you attempt to scratch the surface. Scott should sit and watch his movie. He'd understand that too much camera movement is like too little. Gregson-Williams' music was too loud, and too much, but was otherwise appropriate in style and form. Had it been lower in volume it would have served its purpose much better. That said, I'll skip this CD. The boy aria and a couple of piano cues were nice to hear, but not to listen to. Much of the "music" sounded like noise, and sounded thin, rushed and unfinished. But that's a very quick opinion based only on the music as heard in the movie. Hasta: I went in considering what you said about music (of one sort or another) in almost every scene, and it was generally true, but there were a few short moments of no music.
posted 11-25-2001 07:02 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Oscar® Winner	Hadrian, I'm so sorry to hear about your other ear. No WONDER you like Media Ventures! If only I had one ear! Shaun
posted 11-25-2001 09:19 PM PT (US)

Lightborne Oscar® Winner	Saw this movie today also. Wasn't that impressed and I really like Tony Scott. The ending was just one of those things where Redford's smugness wins the day.That smugness is wearing a little thin with me as I just saw it in THE LAST CASTLE. I really don't believe the CIA is that stupid for the ending to happen like it did. Brad Pitt is such a great talent, too. He seems to take those "rookie in training roles" all the time now. If this is his bag, I'd like to see him team up with some dinosaur senior actors like Kevin Spacey, DeNiro, or Malkovich or Oldman. Scene chewers. Strong presences. That was why the teaming in SEVEN worked so well. Morgan Freeman was Pitt's balance. He seems to work well opposite Anthony Hopkins, as well. I didn't hate the score to this movie, but it didn't wow me either. The choir boy didn't bother me that much. And I like a lot of the ethnic flavor of various pieces in the film. Reminded me a little of THE INSIDER. And while I like Tony Scott's dutch style, that scene on the roof of the Fujifilm building with the circling arials was out of control. That got to a point where it was ridiculous. Scott destroyed that whole powerful scene with that camera. Or what would have been powerful. It was like the most important scene of the movie wasted for camera giltz. Shameful. Oh, and the sped up, satellite, zoom to the next scene stuff worked in ENEMY OF THE STATE, but here it's like pulling that same old trick out of your hat. It's as if Scott is saying out loud,"Remember this one?" It's out of place and doesn't work for this movie.
posted 11-25-2001 09:22 PM PT (US)

HadrianD Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Shaun Rutherford: Hadrian, I'm so sorry to hear about your other ear. No WONDER you like Media Ventures! If only I had one ear! Shaun One thing I've learned is never rush to judgement. One thing I can definitely say is that I'll always be open to listening to any composer. YOu'll never see me diss someone's music (when I've never heard it) just because I don't like the guy. I'll be liek you and presume this: YOu'll like one score being played LOUD in one movie because it's someone you like (dare you to not be biased) and diss another socre for being the same when it's by a composer you don't like. Well that's what fans do. Won't blame ya. People like you won't change until it's not fun anymore. Remember: I'm practicing making presumption here, like you are *It doesn't require both ear to like listening to music. Only loud music will make you deaf. I don't know whether I should sue Warner Bros or Chris Columbus or John Williams for making me learn ASL.
posted 11-25-2001 11:10 PM PT (US)

Steve Hughes Oscar® Winner	I'm not the world's biggest fan of Media Ventures stuff but I'd have to say that Spy Game is one of the best scores of the year. I can't get the main theme out of my head, and the rest is amazing. Cool stuff! NP: Director's Cuts 2: Action (Media Venture gang) **/***
posted 11-28-2001 12:59 PM PT (US)

HadrianD Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Steve Hughes: NP: Director's Cuts 2: Action (Media Venture gang) **/*** How did you get this?????? How can I get my greasy hands on this? (not greasy REALLY!). Email me please....
posted 11-28-2001 04:03 PM PT (US)

Graham Watt Oscar® Winner	I honestly had been avoiding all comments on SPY GAME before I saw it today! Go to Just Movies: What Have You Seen In December to see who I agree with and who I don't (if you're interested)!
posted 12-15-2001 02:32 PM PT (US)

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