Customer Reviews

Astro Boy

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An animated action adventure based on the classic 1950s Japanese cartoon series, which was itself loosely based on the Pinocchio story, Astro Boy tells the story of a robot child who is created by a genius scientist named Dr. Tenma after Tenma's son is killed in an industrial accident. However, having been rejected by his family, Astro embarks on a planetary voyage of discovery, and uses his incredible powers to become a world famous super-hero when an alien race threatens Earth. Alongside an impressive voice cast that includes Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Charlize Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nathan Lane, director David Bowers sought out composer John Ottman to write the film's original score.

By far the strongest part of Astro Boy is its main theme. In the "Opening Theme" is builds from a soft, cooing choir, into a brassy, swashbuckling piece for the full orchestra which is tremendously fun and maddeningly infectious. It appears frequently throughout the score, forming the centerpieces of excellent cues such as "Astro Fles!", "Toby's Destiny" the rollicking "Saving Metro City", and soaring "Theme from Astro Boy". Tonally, Ottman's score is similar to the music John Powell provides for similar genre films, although whereas Powell's work tends to be quite haphazard, Ottman's cues tend to be longer and allow for more thematic development, which is very pleasing. There is more than a hint of Carl Stalling in some of the whirligig orchestrations, with rambunctious rhythms and expressive timbres, although to Ottman's credit he never really strays too far into the world of Mickey Mousing. These are tempered by some rousing, John Williams-inspired heroic interludes, and even a touch of Miklós Rózsa pageantry in "Reluctant Warrior" which is thoroughly entertaining.

Some darker material involving male voice choirs and more dissonant orchestral performance appears in "Start It Up" and "Egg on Hamegg", the full-on action music in the likes of "Final Sacrifice" is loud and engaging, while the occasional electronic enhancements in cues such as "Blue Core Pursuit" gives the score a nostalgic, appropriately cheesy space-age ambience. There's even some dirty-sounding Raymond Scott-style jazz in "One of Us" which adds further to the score's retro feel. Astro Boy is one of the most impressive, purely enjoyable Ottman scores for quite some time; the performances by the London Symphony Orchestra are superb, the themes are strong and memorable, and the simple, straightforward, heroic emotions are a great deal of fun.

I had high expectations for the music of Astro Boy. John Ottman completely blew me away with his score to Superman Returns, and I was expecting a similar experience with Astro Boy.

Upon the first listening of this score, I decided that I didn't like it at all. It wasn't anything like Ottman's previous work, and the music didn't meet my expectations in any way.

Shame on me! I have now listened to the score several times and must say I am impressed with it, and disgusted with myself. I listened to the music with a closed mind and a one-sided way of thinking. Heck, at first I thought even I could write better music.

But as I listened to the score more and more, I realized something. This music is good. There's no other way of saying it. John Ottman has created his best film score, and I dare say Astro Boy flies way higher than Superman.

The music is rich, complex, deep, captivating at times, and dark during others. Toby's theme sounds natural and heroic, and in my opinion takes it's place with some of the best themes of all time, including the music from Bee Movie and also from The Rescuers Down Under.

Each song introduces something new, including unique sounds and instruments I've never heard before, which is always a plus.

Another thing that sets this music apart from alot of other film scores, especially from children-freindly films, is how it never becomes too cheesy or silly, but instead pushes itself onto the opposite side of the spectrum by becoming furiously dark and intense. The beginning and the end of the score are perfect examples of this. Ottman's music reaches that level of wonder, while at the same time hitting that part of your body that gives you the chills. Its sort of like Lord of the Rings: the music was dark, epic, and edgey.

Astro Boy is turning out to be Ottman's gem. I enjoyed his music to Orphan, LOVED his work on Superman, but I must say, John, I'm very impressed. Every time you listen to this music, expect to hear something you didn't catch before.

In the end, John has created something that will definately stand the test of time. His themes are endearing, and his musical talent shines brighter with every listen, making Astro Boy ONE OF THE BEST FILM SCORES OF 2009.

Which means you absolutely need this one folks.

*Update October, 2010*

I am still extremely pleased with the score to Astro Boy. It is truly a complex and genius film score and, along with Ottman's work on Superman Returns, is one of my favorite movie soundtracks to date.

Just from the opening track of the movie, John Ottman has already captured the audience in-trance to his music along with the spenldid visual electrical charges of the ATOM. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ANY ASTRO BOY MOVIE-GOER !!! A COLLECTABLE ITEM INDEED !!!

My son, who has a form of Autism, loves movie scores! This one is one of his favorites and I don't mind listening to it over and over again, lol!

After seeing the excellent "Astro Boy" - a sadly underrated film, the "Iron Giant" of our time - I just had to have the soundtrack. Its composer, John Ottman, did a splendid job of capturing the innocence, poignancy and power of the film's central character and his struggles to survive against the cruel forces out to destroy him. The track is a joy to listen to, exhilarating, sad, playful and menacing - an audio gallery of little masterpieces. My only regret is that the original theme from the Astro Boy anime wasn't included in either the CD or the film. It's quite a good one, and it's a pity it was left out. Still, this soundtrack is up there with the best work of John Williams. I am so glad I bought it, and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the "Astro Boy" film on DVD.

I don't own this yet so I'm giving it a neutral rating. I'm going by the soundtrack from the film itself. My friends and I sat through the end credits of the film today hoping that the trademark Astro Boy theme from the original show would be, at least briefly, incorporated into the soundtrack. It wasn't. The film itself was pretty good. Why didn't they show some melodic nostalgia for the original fans of our little robot hero?