Customer Reviews

Monsters vs. Aliens [Music from the Motion Picture]

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

 

 

When the President, played by Stephen Colbert, goes up the steps to meet the alien the music playing is Les Deux Love Orchestra's "Planet Claire". Though not included on the soundtrack album you can find it here on Amazon. Planet Claire 3-D Maxi Single!

Dreamworks Animation films usually have 1 thing in common, and that is a Hans Zimmer or Zimmer associated score. With 2009 being the year of only 1 Hans Zimmer score he has given fellow composer Henry Jackman his first solo effort. Jackman has been working under Zimmer since 2006 as an additional composer doing lots of work on the last two Pirates films and The Holiday notably. Monsters Vs Aliens is Jackman's first solo effort and boy it's a breath of fresh air. Not to say I don't love the whimsy sounds of Rupert Gregson-Williams, but something about this score just feels fresh. While he utilizes electronics the majority and heart of the score is orchestral.

Early on in the score Jackman sets up with the two major themes of the score. They are subtly played throughout the score. The monsters theme can first be heard in "Meet The Monsters" and it has this great folky jazz vibe. The full-out version of the theme is the track titled "Monster Mojo". The other theme which can be heard slightly in the first track kind of becomes the main theme even though Jackman never really beats us over the head with it. It can be heard in full glory in "The Ginormica Suite" and while I hate saying it the sound is very Zimmeresque. There is that simplicity and light heartedness that reminds me of Zimmer's lighter scores and it does indeed bring a smile to my face. While Hans did serve as Executive Score Producer this is clearly a Henry Jackman score.

The entire score is a really fun listen. It has a certain bounce to it that is hard to describe, but it'll keep you listening. Jackman has certainly impressed me with what has to be one of the greatest freshman efforts to come from an RCP composer in a long time. Bravo. So, get the score and give it a listen. It's really great to play in the car and it's a nice light way to break out of the winter months of heavy serious scoring into the summer months ahead.

This soundtrack is missing Harold Faltermeyer's "Axle F". The song is performed briefly at a funny part in the movie. Despite this minor omission, this is still a fun soundtrack. Henry Jackman still scores an excellent film. I love the sci fi sound of "A Giant Transformation". I love the feeling of danger he creates with the track "The Battle at Golden Gate Bridge". I love the groovy sound of "Monster Mojo". "Ginormica Suite" is a beautiful instrumental piece performed during the ending credits of the movie. "Do Something Violent is an instrumental that really pumps me up. "Purple People Eater", "Wooley Bully", and the track by the Little River Band are classic tracks that are fun to listen to. I really like this soundtrack.

The original version of PLANET CLAIRE by the B-52s is on the CD. But at the end of the movie, there was a fantastic instrumental version which is not found here!! Very dissapointed.
The soundtrack is pretty good, but 1 star for this omission.