Elfman impresses again. What an exhilirating opening to the score (the rest, sadly, I haven't heard!) Those descending woodwinds (0'23) over the towering brass gives me chills (this is the first of many statements of the main theme).

Speaking of the main theme, it's in there, (2'08, 2'34, 3'05, 3'37, 4'12) but will anyone care to find it? Who knows. It's been a year since SPIDER-MAN was released and some people STILL cannot hear that score's theme...

The descending note theme/motif is great, and later on the score has some wonderful percussion (track 5 especially). It doesn't sound like samples either, but the real thing, played live. I dunno if this is correct though. The african-ish vocals work well too.

This is sort of similar to spiderman, but without the prominent theme that one had. Parts of this score reming me of "nightbreed". Good stuff.

Any composer would have his hands full trying pump some life into this pic (though it wouldn't be a problem for Goldsmith since he's a penchance for scoring duds like these). Little wonder then that the studio opted for Mr. Oingo Boingo and his handy-dandy hurdy-gurdy to lighten things up. The angst. Oh, the angst of it all.

NP: Star Trek — Nemesis (complete score) *****/*****

By the way...total time is over 63 mins. with about 4 mins of them being a terrible song at the end.

Personally though, I got a kick out of Nolte's psychotic turn as Bruce's father. His performance is not the sort one is accustomed to seeing in a kids film:

"Nya, nya...stop your balling, you weak little speck of human trash."

The film is not really like its trailer or ad campaign. In fact, the first hour is a "dark, deep, psychological drama" with lots of crying

Words like "melancholy", "thoughtful", "angry" and "dark" (this word was used often) were also used to describe it

Mulligan said that it was an "art house flick with big summer blockbuster positioning and budget"

I don't mind the vocals, but I (like many others) am wondering how they fit the subject matter. Perhaps Ang Lee wanted to use it as a musical device to Banner's inner rage/demons/whatever...just a thought.

As for the Hulkt score, I like it a lot more than the other recent Elfman scores. I find it much more coherent than POTA, and a lot more listenable than Spider-Man.
Nothing truly amazing, but still a good listen.

James

I'll be seeing the film on Friday. Not expecting much so I may be pleasantly surprised. The score on CD did nothing for me. Danny needs to do another "serious" film score like "Sommersby," "A Simple Plan" or "Black Beauty."

James (again)

I connected with the characters, and was actually able to adequately suspend disbelief while the big, green meanie was on screen. I left the movie much more satisfied than X-Men and much less exhausted than Matrix.

The score was serviceable and did not play much of a role. I would disagree that it was a detriment as previously suggested.

For the most part I thought the editing tricks were well implemented (except for one charater's death by fireball...dumb.) Only other gripe was the lighting (or lack thereof) in the final scene. Otherwise, I had a great time.

I thought parts of the movie were brilliant and parts were dull. I just couldn’t be
enveloped by the characters, especially Connelly who brought the ability and passion of an
amoebae to her part. Get a new girlfriend for the sequel.

quote:

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Originally posted by joan hue:
I hear you, Quill. (And I'm glad you liked it more that I did.) There were a lot of kids in the theater. Noisy, squirrely kids! Too many parents thought this would be a kid's movie. Ahhh, don't think so. Kids were restless in this show. Take them to Nemo.

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There were a lot of kids in the theatre when I saw HULK on Friday, as well. Too many little kids. The movie is rated PG-13 for a reason, and parents should be fully aware of this. My parents refused to let me see PG-13 movies until I was 12 or 13 unless they watched and approved of them first, and I'm better off for it. I know it's not the theatres' responsibility for PG-13 movies, but parents, all parents, need to be far more responsible about what their kids watch, movie wise.

BORING **** really...but then again SO WAS THE FILM.

When Elfman's given **** to work with nowadays...he produces just as good as he gets. I remember when he was given a crappy film (DARKMAN, NIGHTBREED) and he'd write something really much better than the film.