Customer Reviews

Charlotte's Web: Music from the Motion Picture

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

 

 

It seems that Danny Elfman has become the new John Williams for film soundtracks. Every score he has done has been exceptional. A wonderfully melodic score for a terrific movie, it moves the action along without overpowering it. The inclusion of Sarah McLachlan's Ordinary Miracle makes it even better.

I'm not a huge fan of orchestral music, but this is a great CD if you are a fan of the movie. The more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it. Of course, the last song "Ordinary Miracle" is phenomenal! It's a beautiful song and Sarah McLachlan's voice is amazing.

What a beautiful soundtrack. My little guy loves the score, but my favorite is the last track by Sarah McLachlan. It is the most wonderful song and brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. I haven't even seen the movie yet, but I am certainly looking forward to it. With such a star-studded cast of voices, plus Dakota Fanning, it can't be anything less than awesome!

I bought this album to complement my Grade Two class' Charlotte's Web play. We used the music as background during the performance. I particularly liked the cd. Track One is the same music as on the official website.

It is unfortunate that this score shall receive absolutely no Academy Awards, Golden Globes, or other official forms of recognization, as it is the finest film score of the first decade of the 21st century.

Danny Elfman, who is a marvelous composer by any standards, nevertheless has his crutches (this is not necessarily a bad thing; as a fellow composer, I can attest that we all develop a certain musical voice that manifests itself in particular ways). Elfman's crutches specifically involve minor key "oom-pah" sets and augmented fourths throughout his melodies. Again, these are not bad qualities, they're just distinct; when you hear the trombones pipe up in Beetlejuice-style glory, it's a pretty safe bet that you're listening to Elfman.

What makes the score to Charlotte's Web so incredible, however, is that Elfman completely reinvents himself musically. Yes, there's still plenty of the "oom-pah" we all know and love, but it takes a supporting role. Instead, we are treated to the most fascinating polyphonic sounds an orchestra can possibly make! Within the first sixty seconds of this film, I knew it was the greatest film score of the decade. I didn't have any clue that it was an Elfman score until the end credits.

And that's why it's awesome.

After the successes of "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory," & "Corpse Bride," Danny Elfman roars back in fine form with a soundtrack reminiscent of "Big Fish," "Edward Scissorhands," "Sommersby" and "Black Beauty." If you're a die-hard or even just a casual Elfman fan, this should be on your list of upcoming purchases!

This soundtrack does not include the songs with lyrics, so my three-year-old son was not terribly entranced.

Has Danny Elfman one of today's most in-demand film composers outdone himself on his current film score "CHARLOTTE'S WEB" (Original Motion Picture Score) --- in the past worked with Tim Burton and other directors, for whom he's composed "Batman", "Beetle Juice","Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Edward Scissorhands", "Spiderman:" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" ... . his early beginnings with LA band Oingo Boingo whose hits include "Weird Science" and "Dead Man's Party". Danny has also written memorable opening themes for TV shows such as "The Simpsons", "Desperate Housewives", and "Tales from the Crypt" ... all of which are seen on weekly basis current or re-runs ... this Grammy Award winning composer tally's into the hundreds of films and television since 1985 with "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure", not to mention "The Corpse Bride" ... very sought after Elfman is non stop is creating top notch music.

Best selling and popular through the decades children's storybook of all time, the motion picture "Charlotte's Web" includes a star studded cast with Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning, Oprah Winfrey, John Cleese, and Robert Redford ... this amazing soundtrack, for the most highly anticipated family film of the holiday season, includes the end title song "Ordinary Miracles," written by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, performed by Sarah McLachlan.

Listing of tracks from Charlotte's Web:
1. Main Title
2. The Introduction
3. Lullaby/Escape, "Lullaby" (performed by Dakota Fanning)
4. Introducing Charlotte
5. In the Mud
6. Tempelton
7. The Plan Begins
8. "Some Pig"
9. The Word Spreads
10. The Fall Montage
11. The Dump
12. "Radiant"
13. The Big Day
14. "Humble"
15. "Terrific"
16. Farewell Charlotte
17. Wilbur's Homecoming
18. "Ordinary Miracle" (performed by Sarah McLachlan)

Must ask the following to take a bow Jordan Kerner, Julia Pistor and Gary Winick (Executive Soundtrack Album Producers), John Houlihan (Music Consultant), Steve Bartek, Edgardo Simone, David Slonaker and Marc Mann (Orchestration), Sony Classical and of course composer and producer Danny Elfman, who's career is building bridges in the entertainment world of music.

Total Time: 47 mins on 18 Tracks ~ Sony Classical #702989 ~ (12/05/2006)

I haven't listened to the CD and only give it 1 star because.... I was going to buy this CD specifically for "A Place in the Sun" by Gabe Dixon. This played during the closing credits and is a GREAT rendition of this old classic by Stevie Wonder. Darned shame this wasn't included!! What a loss!

I love the last song "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah M. The rest of the CD is ok - would like it better if there were a couple more songs on there, rather than just musical scores.