Customer Reviews

Men In Black: The Score

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's not an excellent score when compared to Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, and Edward Scissorhands. But it is still a unique experience for its synthesized sounds and otherworldly melodies. I fell in love with the "Main Theme" in the first few seconds (it's probably one of Elfman's best themes alongside The Simpsons, Beetlejuice, and Batman). The rest of the score is absolutely brilliant; I cherish almost every moment I listen to it. I especially love the acoustic guitar theme (it kind of reminds me of a crescent moon over a barren wasteland). But anyway, this is a solid score from one of my favorite film composers.

Sorry, I was a little bit distracted by the main theme of M.I.B. Its rather catchy if you think about it. It starts out with those four deep cello notes then leads into something that is continuously amazing for one of the most innovative opening sequences I've seen in a long time (not counting "Catch Me if You Can", of course). "D's Memories/Chase" starts out mellow, with K's old partner reminiscing about being an agent of M.I.B., then the track speeds up and goes into full on action music, complete with synths, driving strings, and plenty of percussion.

"J Contemplates" is kind of a somber cue, it seems like very deep "I'm thinking about something very important" music, it ends with a rather strange look at Edgar. "The Suit" brings us to the registration process in the film, where K is deleting everything that everyone knows about James Edwards and now he becomes J. Big (not yet huge...) choral bursts accentuate the track and bring it to an abrupt stop. "Petit Mort" is the most somber track on the album. Taking up only a mere 1:42, this track evokes a sense of "Aww, poor baby". "K Reminisces" is a great track, perhaps my third favorite from the album (the first being the main theme and the second being the finale). Light guitar signifying K's melancholy while being separated from his wife give the already action packed score to a more emotional place.

But, that was only a little bit of action. "Orion's Belt/Cat Stinger" is an amazing track. The opening 30 seconds are the second of Elfman's best full orchestra/full chorus writing in his career. The action just picks up from there. Employing full orchestra with extra emphasis on percussion, the next few tracks pound mercilessly through the speakers. "Noisy Cricket/Impending Trouble", "Sexy Morgue Babe/Icon" and "Take Off/Crash" are the included tracks. All the tracks, no matter what order you shuffle them in, will ultimately lead to one of, if not the best of Elfman's finales. The emotional portions of K's yearning are finally over as he is reunited with his wife in the end, now with J taking his place as the head honcho agent. It all comes together in a HUGE (this is it!) choral burst, along with crashing cymbals, full throttle orchestra, and a slight bit of synth, this has to be one of the best endings to a score that I've ever heard.

Action, sorrow, yearning, comedy, and a few bits of slight scare here and there, this ranks high among Elfman's best. Now, just look into this red eye and you won't remember a thing, except to go buy this score.

Men In Black: (Danny Elfman) I sat down on my couch, a DVD of MiB in my player. As soon as it starts, those four cello notes hauntingly fade in... and out. I knew I was in for a good film, but I hadn't realized Mr. Elfman was doing the score. Wow! is all I can say. The score is powerful and driving, yet comedic and funny with the film. Perfect for a comedy about aliens living in New York. However, readers be warned, if you want to get the full drive of the score, get the film. With the CD you can hear something happened - say, a cue, but you don't know what. It's like telling a joke and being denied the punchline. However, this is a fantastic score, and it's great if you buy the CD. I give it a four, because it has more impact with the film. In Film: ***** On CD: **** All in all: *****

I had no clue that Elfman had written the music for Barry Sonnenfeld's wry sci-fi comedy until I saw his name pop up on screen in the theater. And I was VERY pleasantly surprised. Incorporating more of his rock music history than many of his other scores, Elfman's energetic, highly rhythmic opening sets a rather hip tone and paves the way for smart-alek Will Smith's adventures in the world of Illegal Alien tracking. A handful of the selections are sheer listening enjoyment, most are okay... Without the images to go along with it, a couple of pieces amount to just a lot of electronic noise. While I definitely consider this a positive addition to my collection, I must confess I fail to see why it got an Oscar(r) nominee; it is so unlike anything the Academy likes to nominate. (I'm happy for Elfman, but surprised.)

From the sly, forboding, exhilarating opening title theme to the pounding, choral Finale, this CD explores the gamut of emotions. The lament felt when Kay hands his neuralyzer to Jay is perfectly recreated with just the music, while many of the tracks lose their effect without the film's lavish visuals. Largely script- and special effect-based, the film would just about stand on its own without the music, while the music has trouble standing without the film. But some of the music is as pleasurable to listen to in the dark as it is to try to pick out when watching the film, and it's almost guaranteed that after a few listens, you'll be humming the dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun theme of the opening credits. Well worth a listen.

Once again, Danny Elfman creates a masterful score that perfectly compliments the movie. Though the overall score isn't his best, the main titles and final three tracks are excellent...he probably should have won the Oscar for this. END

You know it. Come on. The opening theme for "Men In Black"? Yeah you do. It gets in your skin and you find yourself humming the simple but driving motif over and over. Well, there's more. "Men In Black: The Score" is a huge collection of awesome orchestration, sounds, and talent. Kudos to Elfman for his perfect handling of the emotional scenes in the movie with a gentle guitar solo (which in "Finale", explodes into the familiar choral miracles that Elfman is known for.) Buy this CD! You know you want it...

this is a great soundtrack it is fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this cd are all of them.

men in black is a awesome soundtrack a classic the best of the best danny elfman is a god buy this soundtrack you wont be sorry

Danny Elfman received an Oscar nomination for this comedy score to MIB. It is trademark Elfman sound that includes all of the music that he wrote from the film, which is about 43 minutes worth. The main theme is a good one, with repeating eighth note rhythms for strings. It represents the film perfectly and is found in "M.I.B. Main Theme" (duh!), "Take Off/Crash", "Finale", and "M.I.B. Closing Theme" with bits and pieces of it occurring in other tracks. The rest of the music consists of orchestra, electronic bass, and percussion. The electronic bass gives the music a comedy feel to it, so you know instantly that it is coming from a comedy film. Another theme is present that is a more restrained theme, which is a nine note phrase that can be found in several tracks throughout, most notably in "D's Memories" and the beginning of "Finale". "Chase" is a cool action cue that Elfman does great at writing, with running strings and driving percussion. "Headquarters" is another track worth mentioning, as well as "Take Off/Crash". "Finale" is a knock out cue that closes the film perfectly when the camera pulls back and reveals the earth from space. Here, Elfman uses a choir to give rise to the orchestral might that is being employed, with the brass section dominating. Danny Elfman is a great composer and this soundtrack is a perfect example of his creative capabilities as one.