Donnie Darko (Score) [Soundtrack]

Michael Andrews (Artist), Michael Andrews (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Andrews
• Audio CD (April 2, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Everloving
• ASIN: B00006471F
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,425 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Indie Music > Soundtracks > General

Editorial Reviews

Donnie Darko has become a cult classic since its theatrical
release in 2001. The soundtrack s opus is the now-famous
cover of the Tears For Fears song Mad World, which earned
the coveted UK X-mas #1 spot in 2003.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1,116 of 1,127 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Be aware that this is the score, not the soundtrack April 28, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

If you are looking for the numerous 80s pop songs that appeared in the movie, look elsewhere. The score sets a wonderful mood, but as all Donnie Darko fans know, many of the highlights of the movie were the 80s classics. Do not buy the score looking for the pop songs. If you'd like to know what the songs were:
- The song played over the slow-mo opening scene where Donnie returns home after waking up on the mountain is 'The Killing Moon' by Echo and the Bunnymen.
- The song played over the slow-mo school montage that begins with the kids stepping off the bus and ending with Donnie's sister performing the 'routine' outdoors is 'Head over Heels' by Tears for Fears.
- The song played during the love scene between Donnie and Gretchen is 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division.
-The song played immediately after the love scene is 'Under the Milky Way' by The Church.
-The song played during the Sparkle Motion scene is 'Notorious' by Duran Duran.
-The song played during the last scene is a cover of Tears for Fears 'Mad World' (both found on this album).
Buy or download the 80s pop tunes, intersperse them with the score, and enjoy!

511 of 537 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars those looking for the movie's score, you're in luck! July 16, 2003

By skipperchong

Format:Audio CD

Pop Music from Donnie Darko (in order of appearance):

01. "The Killing Moon" - Echo & The Bunnymen
02. "Head over Heels" - Tears For Fears
03. "Notorious" - Duran Duran
04. "Proud To Be Loud" - The Dead Green Mummies
05. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" - Joy Division
06. "Under the Milky Way" - The Church
07. "Mad World" - Gary Jules

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars for lack of a better word, haunting. June 11, 2002

By [e-mail]

Format:Audio CD

the thing about this movie is the overwhelming complexity of each event that happens. not only is it (by turns) humourous, thought-provoking, infuriating and emotional .. the soundtrack complements it in nearly every way. The only reason i would give this soundtrack less than five stars is the lack of the '80s songs that appear. It is a "score" soundtrack, but the other songs are a critical element, i.e., "Under the Milky Way Tonight" and "Head Over Heels" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "The Killing Moon". But this is in no way an admonition for you not to purchase this .. it's sublime. Michael Andrews does an amazing job with the darkling emotions lurking in the film, and translates it to music compellingly. The only vocal track "Mad World" is worth the entire CD. It's just a shame that Gary Jules is so hard to find on CD... but this is definitely an essential to the film enthusiast or soundtrack lover.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great composition, however.... May 29, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

No question Michael Andrews is a great composer, but the fact that the soundtrack lacks the incredible songs by Joy Division, Love and Rockets, and Echo and the Bunnymen....among others, is truly heartbreaking. The music sets the tone for this unique film, but without the full soundtrack to reflect on, there is something missing. I purchased it anyway, but do not enjoy the music quite as much without the visuals from the movie.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Music this good shouldn't be so short. Danny Elfman would be proud. July 18, 2005

By Joel Munyon

Format:Audio CD

The score for Donnie Darko is one that takes us into another realm, full of suburban surealism, and various ethereal overtones. The effect is intoxicating. I found myself listening to this soundtrack over and over again as I swung on the family glider in the backyard. I felt like I'd crossed over into another place, and no, I wasn't on anything! ;-)

Michael Andrews has elevated himself into becoming one of my favorite composers - and to think this was his first film score. His moody tone is deeply otherwordly and full of both anxiety and beauty. Many would compare this music to something along the lines of Danny Elfman's work for Tim Burton, and I'd have to say that I agree a bit. We hear simple piano melodies turn into stark choruses, then resound into joint blissfulness.

Take note, these songs do not hit the high emotional peak where you found yourself while listening to scores like Shawshank Redemption or Braveheart. This is more along the lines of Carter Burwell's Fargo, David Julyan's Memento or even the work Jeff Gibbs did for Fahrenheit 9/11. It's dark, dreamy, and would probably go best with a few sleeping pills.

* Not that you'll probably care, but I have over 120 movie soundtracks. Donnie Darko, even though I heard it four years too late, is one of my top 20. My only complaint is that many of the songs are only one minute long.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The score is great, but the soundtrack you want!!! February 1, 2003

By Jon Braman

Format:Audio CD

It is an excellent score, and the cover of Tears for Fears 'Mad World' sold me on it. It is true that Donnie Darko is science-fiction, but if you were like me and watched it with no pre-conceptions as to what was going to happen, you lost yourself in a complex story. Its an indie film with the score of any John Williams or Ennio Morricone scored film updated to include those of us born in the seventies, and who came of age in the eighties.

If you want the actual soundtrack, you are like me: looking back to the artists that performed the songs in the movie. I love artists like Echo and the Bunnymen, Tears for Fears and The Church, but you have to find them in other places. The 'Mad World' cover (which is excellent in itself) is enough of a reason to buy the score. The rest of the music keeps you in the mood that you were in during the movie.

I hate to say it, but kudos to Drew Barrymore for making sure this film saw the light of day, and gripes to Flower Films (Drew's baby) for not putting out the soundtrack (all of those 80's guys I mentioned earlier) also. I guess we are supposed to like the garbage of 'XXX' and 'Charlie's Angels'.

The score is worth it, though, especially if you are an 80's kid who may have matured into a 00's adult.