Customer Reviews

Dragonfly [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

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

 

 

the song in the end credits is called "Star" by Zoo Story (for whoever wanted to know). I really enjoyed the soul stirring effect this music had on me, especially the last track.

In my opinion, John Debney is one of the very few composers out there who can truly represent emotions with music. He's no Jerry Goldsmith, but comes awfully close. DRAGONFLY is no exception. Why it was never nominated is beyond my understanding.

Christopher Young was initially hired to score DRAGONFLY, but was forced to back out due to scheduling conflicts(?). John Debney was then asked and, despite being busy with THE SCORPION KING, accepted the assignment. Busy or not, he still delivered an outstanding & effective score for one of the most underrated films of 2002. DRAGONFLY is an extremely powerful score that explodes with drama and supernature, but is never overblown. One can follow as Joe Darrow goes through the sadness of losing a loved one, the suspense/fear of the "other world", and his quest to find out the truth behind Emily's mysterious signs.

For those that are disappointed by its 31-minute running time, this is not the fault of Varese Sarabande. It is simply all they could afford. The score was performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, which requires payment for an album. Sometimes these fees can be very high. In this case, they were. But sometimes 31 minutes is all you need. One must listen to the album straight through and concentrate not only on the music, but the story as well to fully appreciate the album itself. With the right selections and sequencing, this can be possible without it falling a bit short. This brings me to the one and only gripe I have about this CD...

I gave this CD four stars because of its arrangement. Up until "Emily's Grave", the album was running smoothly, wonderfully telling the film's story in such a short time. However, I think track #6 should have been replaced with the action cue from the bus sinking scene. It would have prepared the listener for the breathtaking conclusion in "Emily's Message Revealed". Unfortunately, the ending comes without warning and before you know it, the album is done. But, despite the importance of a good score album arrangement, I am not about to lose sleep over it.

Film composers have to switch back and forth from genre to genre to stay competitive with other composers. Hardly anyone does it better than John Debney, as he reveals a side of him that I have never heard before in this score. The music is genuinely subtle and atmospheric with plenty of emotion. That is unlike Debney's previous works which have mainly been action music scores. That is why I like this score so much - it is so much different. The main theme, while not something that will make you turn your head, is a 3 note motif usually played on the piano or lightly by the strings. Get used to this theme because you will hear it in just about every track, if not all of them. "Main Titles" start things off on the right track with plenty of horn trills and driving percussion. "Donor Body Awakens" is more of a horror track throughout this suspenseful score with ominous strings and pulsating orchestral blasts. "Meeting Sister Madeline" and "The Plane Ride" basically contain variations of the main theme. "Emily's Grave" is more attention getting with a solo cello, while the best track of them all is the last one, "Emily's Message Revealed". This track starts out slowly with ominous brass and choir chants, with the 3 note main theme reappearing. Later on, the choir turns up the volume and the melody really bursts onto the scene. The music keeps building and building and finally, the orchestra and choir soar into the heavens leaving you wanting to hear much more of that. It is really a breathtaking part and one of Debney's most gorgeous melodies of all time. It's too bad that most of the score is low-key and atmospheric in nature and not as awesome as the end of the final track. Regardless, this score will have to be listened to more than once in order to capture its real meaning behind it. It will begin to grow on you more and more with each listen.

Tom Shadyac (producer/director) presents a supernatural thriller "DRAGONFLY", with an
outstanding performance by Kevin Kostner (Dr. Joe Darrow)...shades of "The Sixth Sense"
and "Ghost" works well with this film...the score by award winning composer John Debney is captivatingly haunting, right on the mark!

Debney has given us memorable scores ~ "Hocus Pocus" (1993)..."Sudden Death"
(1995)..."I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997)..."Liar Liar" (1997)..."The Relic"
(1997)..."End Of Days" (1999)..."Inspector Gadget" (1999)..."Lost and Found"
(1999)..."Running Mates" (2000)..."The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)..."The
Replacements" (2000)..."Cats & Dogs" (2001)..."Heartbreakers" (2001)..."Jimmy
Neutron:Boy Genius" (2001)..."Spy Kids" (2001)...there you have it, many scores that are
intricate with emotion and in some areas uplifting.

This short score for the CD is compelling, much like Bernard Herrmann or Jerry
Goldsmith...counterpoints, underscoring and haunting melodic surfaces that get under your
skin.

The Hollywood Studio Symphony, Varese Sarabande and John Debney once again focus on
the story-line and characters come to life with each cue...highly recommend this to all
"film-score-buff" collectors...as "EMILY'S MESSAGE REVEALED" takes you to places
you have always wanted to go.

Total Time: 37:17 on 7 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066-338-2 ~ (2002)

Enjoyed the soundtrack during and separate from the movie, but was a little disappointed that the song that plays at the end of the movie, while the credits are running, does not appear on the soundtrack. Does anybody know the name of this particular song and/or artist. Thanks.

Seeing (and hearing) 'Dragonfly" on the Chiller network tonight- one one the songs from the soundtrack- or rather the theme melody that runs as a leitmotif throughout the soundtrack- kept teasing at me, not unlike that map symbol/cross that haunted our hero, Kevin Kostner. Obssessed, I kept listening, in my mind, to the unforgettable, melifluous tune...

But then it came to me- "That is familiar!"- lyrics came rushing in;

"You want to love me,
Well love with me then..."

These, from the song "Love With Me" written by Keith Green, an astounding writer/performer (also a Christian)
in the early 1980's. Hmmm...so similar it is startling- parallel invention? Subconscious enculturation? Or something else?

Listen and, yes, enjoy the wonderful melody both John and Keith "discovered".


BF

To begin this review, I must say I am really amazed by this soundtrack.
Composer John Debney is mostly known for his comedy scores and his swashbuckling "Cutthroat Island". But this score unveils a new side of Debney,a genre he hasn`t done before - horror/mystery!
And he does his work excellent!The soft strings and piano reminds me of James Newton Howard`s scores to "Unbreakable" and "Sixth Sense", which are also mystery thrillers/scores.
But in some way, this is much better. It`s not just moody,piano underscore. It has some enormous, choral and orchestral outbursts, especially in the final track. "Donor Body Awakens" is a perfect horror/suspense cue, and the "Main Title" track features some exciting choral work as well. "Meeting Sister Madeleine" is more of Howard`s "Unbreakable" style and therefore, the least interesting track of the CD. "Plane Ride" is giving us a soaring flight sequence, which I really enjoy.
Well, there are at least two reasons to not give this score 5 stars. For the first, this CD is too short. It only runs for about 32 minutes - well, that`s not Debney`s fault. It`s typical for Varèse Sarabande only to release short scores. If they want people to appreciate it (especially since the big failure of the film),they need to give a little more.
For the second, they could have left track 4 outside the album and replaced it with the end credits cue.
Anyhow, this soundtrack can still be recommended both to John Debney`s typical fans as well as fans of "Unbreakable" and "Sixth Sense". It has expanded the future possibilities of John Debney too, and he seems to be a real chamaeleon of film music to me. He can change his style very quickly. And I really appreciate that!

The score is equally as wonderful as the movie itself was. If you are looking for a serene and beautiful soundtrack to relax to, this is the one.