The movie is at least as good as the first one (which I enjoyed greatly), if not an improvement. Edleman quotes his Shanghai Noon theme enough times for it to be effective, and there seems to be a lot more brass this time around, which seems to suit the English locale.

There were too many distracting songs in this sequel though. The first film used the songs to great effect, but they seemed more out of place in Victorian england. The score had a good mix in the film, especially in the library/study scene fight.

I still feel that Edelman would sound better if used a full orchestra. Sometimes the score sounds cheap, which was the only thing in the movie that seemed that way. (how many movies have a big fight scene on the Thames with a backdrop of fireworks!)

Shanghai Knights was a fun film with a good score. I'm a sucker for action movies in old London (Young Sherlock Holmes, Mummy Returns, etc.) and this one didn't disapoint. I also enjoyed the many injokes (Charlie Chaplin, Sir Conan Doyle) and the wonderful fight scenes (the sword fight at the end was amazing!)

All in all, a fun, not-too-serious adventure film! I hope Edelman gets a score release, because there was some fun stuff on the soundtrack!

There goes the Oscar nomination...

I still feel that Edelman would sound better if used a full orchestra. Sometimes the score sounds cheap, which was the only thing in the movie that seemed that way.

I felt the same way about the SHANGHAI NOON score. In theaters, I didn't seem to mind. The rousing main theme made up for that.

But when I bought the DVD, Edelman's $10 score ruined the movie for me.

Perhaps they should have hired John Frizzell to write the orchestral sections?

Ryan

quote:

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Originally posted by BobaMike:
All in all, a fun, not-too-serious adventure film! I hope Edelman gets a score release, because there was some fun stuff on the soundtrack!

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Mike, surely there will be a release... I learned that Edelman tends to have album releases written into his contract.