But seriously, what was the female vocal in Troy supposed to represent? The landscape? It didn't seem to make an appearance where it would really matter. Of course, this is no surprise, as the film was a sloppy mess of storytelling.

Even James Horner, who can usually at least fit a formulaic score in all the right places, misses the mark in a surprising number of places: The theme for Achilles is entirely too upbeat for him basically being a villain. The synthesized choir for the funeral scenes evokes next to no emotion. The most emotion in the score comes from the almost-Stargate love theme that pops up over the end, but it comes across surprisingly bland for Horner. The fact that he had very little time to score the film doesn't offer much of an excuse. If there had to be any slacking off of any kind, it seems he would focus on the key scenes first, giving them the most attention, and then composing a synthesized choir theme for something less important--not for funeral scenes.

There were moments which worked though. The Troy fanfare was impressive in the opening procession and during their first victory, but when it boldly plays during a simple pan across a temple with barely anything occuring in the shot, it's way too much for nothing. The percussion-only scoring of the battle between Achilles and Hector was right-on, but then again, the sound clip Yared provides from his score does basically the same thing.

I thought it was too much the first time I heard it.

That it means nothing -- and has no basis in anything remotely genuine -- ought to make it perfect for mindless films...but I thought "Gladiator" the best film with the worst score I'd ever seen.

The ululating wail has achieved parity with the everpresent, overtly misused uillean pipes.

The article is spot on.

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Originally posted by Ron Pulliam:
but I thought "Gladiator" the best film with the worst score I'd ever seen.

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From technicianonline.com
As if the bad acting and inane dialogue weren’t enough, the soundtrack was cliché and disappointing. Composed by James Horner, the soundtrack includes a woman chanting throughout the entire movie. Chanting in historic epic films has become somewhat of a trend lately -- but in "Troy," it sounds like the whining of an 8-year-old not getting their way.

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Ummm...oookay.

I actually have no problem with the female vocals of late, but I am sure it will pass rather quickly.

I am very happy listening to On Dangerous Ground right now. No wailing to speak of, except Benny on the last track.

[Oh wait, I lied, I think I have heard some of Gladiator on the Battle of Britain album...]

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Originally posted by Quill:
Let me get this straight...Horner uses the female vocal in the Achilles-Hector battle and it doesn't fit...Yared uses it for the same scene and there is a complex "voice of destiny" behind it.

Ummm...oookay.

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Well, just remember what I said - Yared had a reason in his mind for using the vocal, and commented on it, therefore I know what the purpose of it was because it's as though the composer told me. Horner to my knowledge has not commented on his score at all, so I don't know what his reasoning was for using the vocal. (Though I suspect like the Bulgarian choir and some of the percussion ideas he was using some of Yared's ideas as a touchstone much as Elfman did on Hulk with respect to Mychael Danna.)

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(Side note...if you have read the Iliad you would know that Achilles is not a villian but rather the embodiment of the extremes in human emotion and passion. There are no clear-cut villians in the story, rather characters play foils to one and other. I think Troy captured the complexity of Achilles and Hector...where it truly deviated from character was Agamemnon, who was not as black & white in the book as in the film. In the end that was probably necessary for cinematic reasons. The point...I don't feel Horner's Achilles theme is that out of place.)

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I agree that Troy the film does not capture all of the complex personas and emotions drummed up in the Iliad...how could it in 145 minutes? I agree that Hector should have been given a theme...he is by far the most memorable and admirable character (along with Odysseus) in the entire story. The Iliad as a story cannot be made into a film...it would present an even greater challenge that LOTR, as it is so mythic...gods and ridiculously over-powered mortals. That being said, the character of Paris was captured perfectly, and as in the story he is the slayer of Achilles. Helen is actually less of sympathetic character in the book, and Hector was a tad too virtuous in the film. The basic elements (again, outside of Agamemnon) are there. Hector is an impassioned warrior, but his dedication is to Troy and family, his responsibility is directed toward the men under his command. In the book he is overcome by delusions of grandeur which ultimately leads to his demise...but omitting that to me is acceptable. For the most part, Achilles is portrayed accurately, from his reasons for withdrawing from the battle to joining back up, from his uber-maniacal ego, to his maturation and appreciate of others and self-sacrifice. I feel the important elements of the story are there and for that reason I can appreciate the film, even with its obvious flaws.

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Originally posted by jonathan_little:
[Oh wait, I lied, I think I have heard some of Gladiator on the Battle of Britain album...]

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Having just reread the story, I would have to say that film does capture the true essence of the two primary characters.

This topic does not apply to A.I.

FoobsZ

The ones who have been ignoring this thread in droves?

Seriously, I personal love female vocals in scores.

Here is a list of some of my personal favorites:

Hercules: The Legedary Journeys - Volume 3 - "Faith's Song" - beautiful piece! "Zombie Fight" "Faith"

The Pretender - Velton Ray Bunch - cue: "Jarod's Mom"

Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 2 & 3 score promos - so many cues. "ohhh saaay heee..."

Apollo 13 - James Horner - "end Credits" - first half. For some reason I don't recall any of the score in the movie being like that.

Troy rejected - You know who.

The X-Files - "Jose Chung's From Outerspace"