Customer Reviews

Men in Black II (MIIB): Music from the Motion Picture

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

 

 

Contrary to the last reviewer, I'm not going to base my review of the album on one song (which I think is silly) or type a long-winded rant on commercialism today (which I think is a waste of time when you're supposed to be writing about a CD), but rather write about the whole album. Simply, this is one of the best soundtracks for a movie in a while. Danny Elfman continues to amaze me as being one of the most original-sounding and inventive composers today. His ability to blend orchestral and synthesized music is fantastic, and his ability to create simple but memorable themes is rivaled only by John Williams. For this movie, instead of using the same orchestrations for the MIB theme, he plays around, coming up with different ways of utilizing it (listen to the fabulous "Worm Lounge #1 (Worms In Black)", "Titles" and "Big Jeff") to prevent it from becoming boring while still keeping it the central theme of the score. Also, the more poignant sections of the score (such as "J Nabbed/K's Back" and "The Light") are truly beautiful, showcasing strings and guitar wonderfully. Throughout the score are bursts of choral music that Elfman is known for, and it adds a great touch. At the end of the score there are two additional songs: Tim Blaney (as Frank the Pug) singing "I Will Survive" and Will Smith's "Black Suits Comin'." A Frank the Pug cover of "I Will Survive" is a great idea (and one of the best moments of the movie), but it gets a bit annoying here-Frank "sings" in a monotone throughout the song. "Black Suits Comin'," however, is a pretty good song, considering it's for a movie. It has a chorus that won't go away-it will get stuck in your head for weeks, and that's actually a good thing. You can hear how Will is experimenting a bit and trying for a different audience with a more rock-oriented beat and sound. Also, it sounds like Will used real orchestra for the song, which is a welcome change from the oversynthesized "music" I've been hearing so much of nowadays. And while it may not be "music fan"'s idea of great music, I don't think I'd find an argument if I said that the song is certainly better than anything you might find on TRL (Avril Lavinge-now there is some empty music). Overall, this CD certainly deserves a spot in the collection of any Danny Elfman fan, any lover of movie soundtracks, or any good music fan anywhere, and once you put in your CD player, you won't be able to take it out!

This is a half-decent soundtrack. Danny Elfman's work here is good, but it's quite different than his other scores. It's much more lighthearted than his score for MIB1, much like this film's tone. His work here isn't even as good as is other summer score, "Spider-Man." Still, this is a good soundtrack. Will Smith's new song is pretty good, but it's nothing like his previous MIB song. However, this doesn't kill the entire CD...If you like Danny Elfman, buy this disc. If you only like Will Smith buy his new CD (which has this new MIB song on it).

Danny Elfman, having scored the first Men in Black is back again scoring the sequel. No other composer could have done it but Danny Elfman. This score is much more groovier than the first. Elfman uses the Men in Black theme much more in this one than in the first. It is not exactly the same as the theme from the first, as little variations are thrown in to make it a bit different. In fact, almost every track uses the M.I.B. theme in some way or another. When you first put the CD in the player, this hip-hop tune starts up. "Worm Lounge #1" is Elfman in crazy form with swinging trumpets, hip-hop bass, and quirky la la vocals. Don't try dancing to this one, it will make you look stupid. Most of the score is groovy sounding with electric guitars along with a rhythm section and a moderately sized orchestra. "Big Jeff" is a thrilling action cue, with firing brass and choir. The chorus is also utilized in other cues, such as "Headquarters". "The Real Story" and "Heart Thump" take a break from the quirkiness music and show a more mellow side. From "The Defense Begins" to "The Finale", the music really takes off and shines. A massive brass section and a thrilling choir showcase these tracks and show Elfman in top form. "I Will Survive", the classic Gloria Gaynor song, shows Tim Blaney singing as "Frank the Pug". It doesn't really sound like singing, but more like talking. Will Smith's song "Black Suits Comin'" is cool and better than his song from the first film. He too is a talented artist and a great actor. However, Elfman is the spotlight of this soundtrack and showcases his incredible writing talents throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable soundtrack.

Well, here I am to report on yet another Danny Elfman score. With super-high expectations for the summer box-office, we were expecting some profound movies. What we got was having the top-grossing film of the summer, "Spider-Man", contain an Elfman score! YES! Now I am here to review "Men In Black 2". Although the first movie was done better and the score was a very common thing of the Elfman of that time, his methods have evolved. I sit here listening to a track from the first "MIB". Then, I will put on an "MIB2" song and compare. ...........Done. The verdict: the "MIB2" score is better than that of the first. "Men In Black 2" has a more frenetic feel than the first one. Plus, almost every track ends in one of the billion transformations of the "MIB" theme, which is a good thing. There's J's theme, that kind of Bond-esque "Do do....do do." There's also K's theme, the really light guitar melody, played at its most weirdly heart-wrenching best in the middle of "J Nabbed/K's Back", it is used again, very well, near the end of "The Light". I only have one question, where is Serleena's theme? She is the villain, all villains have themes. The Green Goblin had one, why can't Serleena have one?! Anyway, on "Chop-Chop", she doesn't get a theme but when you listen to it, you kinda sorta get the sense that shes there. "The Chase" is a really cool song, with synth, bongos, and orchestra in the background. You listen to it and its just really cool. It's kinda "slick" (no reference intended), in that way that only Elfman can deliver it to us, his ever adoring fans. Ah, "The Light". It delivers yet another transformation of the "MIB" theme, then after :25 it just calms down. It turns into someting really mellow and yet cosmic and choral at the same time. Elfman then delivers our pseudo love theme for J and Laura. To me, it isn't pseudo at all. It's a damn love theme to me. I think they should have kissed before she left. Crashing into a motif for the re-emergence of Serleena (she looked like an aerial view of Medusa's head). It calms down again with another showing of the love theme, crescendo-ing strings, to............A BANG FINALE!!! I told you all Elfman scores have one. (See: Batman - Original Motion Picture Score, review name "Elfman's Best Action Score). The CD could have done without Frank singing. Overall, BUY IT! Its really a good CD, if you want a cool vibe in your CD player.

This is a great soundtrack. It is enjoyable and fun to listen to. The Best Songs on this cd are all of them

It is a great C.D.!!!! Everyone will like it. Also it is ok for children! It is my favorite C.D. Also there is no profanity. It is better than the first.

Dear Amazonians,

After reading the Editorial and Customer Reviews of this item (Men In Black II Soundtrack), I was inspired to write my own.

I think this album is very good. I'll start by saying that. When I was watching the movie and heard the song "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head), I thoughtt the rhythm was catchy and liked Will Smith's vocals. I think it is great that the main actor cannot only act well, but can also sing! It's not every day that you get that.

Also, looking back to Wild Wild West, I think that song is good too. Will Smith has a way of writing songs that are both rhythmic and invigorating. The other review by "a music fan" did not reflect or represent this album and artist (Will Smith) well at all. In fact, it totally misses the point. That person just does not like Will Smith. I think Will Smith is very talented both as an actor and as a singer.

Take care,

--Daniel

Hey, to the guy who wrote the complete 'dis' of a review: SHUT UP ALREADY! Just because you only live to criticize other people doesn't mean we want to hear about it. Will Smith is a talented actor and musician and it sounds to me that you have some issues. So quit hounding on other people for no reason because let me clue you in on a little thing......NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU THINK!

I'll start by saying that Danny Elfman's soundtrack work is pretty interesting stuff (by today's standards).My beef lies with Big Willie himself. The song Black Suit's Commin'(Nod Ya Head) is the emptiest song I've ever heard. It is an uninspired commercial for the film-nothing more. One would hope that outside of this soundtrack a song this lacking in anything resembling artist creativity, feeling or soul would collapse like a house of cards. Still,it's got a big budget video to distract you from the oulandishly bad music and lyrics (plus Willie's always boring way with a rhyme) and the Will Smith starpower(and the monitary backing of a huge company) to guide it into your radio,television and shopping cart. I thought the whole Wild Wild West thing was disgusting but he just keeps on falling...If you swallowed Gettin' Jiggy With It whole,you'll love this one too. Even if it has more empty calories than a box of doughnuts. I really hope it's mainly children that would be amused by tripe like this. I know it's supposed to be bland and uncomplicated so as to appeal to every possible human being but I can't help being sickened. Even though I know the formula (a bit of charm + a bit of talent x marketability - individuality + harmless blockbusters = Megastar!!!),I still wonder how this guy became one of the worlds most popular entertainers. He's a living testament to America's love of sequels, braindead pop music and the familiar. Oh man...I long for the day that the masses stop eating stuff like this up without question(or thought) and demand quality and an ounce of passion & intellegence in their entertainment.Alas,I doubt that will happen in my lifetime. I doubt it will even happen before the soundtrack to MIB3 comes out...