Customer Reviews

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl

5 star:		(319)
4 star:		(74)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

First of all, a wonderful score to a wonderful movie. Jack's theme is especially moving when played in its crescendo. The volume and pace is not something I regularly like being a devout fan of John Williams' work, but Badelt here has composed a score that will keep the tune and the movie in your head for hours. It makes me want to listen again and again.

But part of the reason I have to listen again and again is that the CD itself is so short. Only 43 minutes worth of music for an almost 2.5 hour movie? I would love to see a soundtrack at least once contain all (or almost all as space allows) music in the correct order.

One major gripe: I wonder what fool got a hold of this CD and wrote the track listing...they're either one jump ahead or one step behind. It's very confusing when trying to visualize events in the movie coinciding with the music. A better listing might be this:

1. Fog Bound
2. Will and Elizabeth / Jack Sparrow Appears / The Medallion Calls
3. Jack's Near Escape
4. Swords Crossed
5. The Black Pearl
6. The Black Pearl (cntd) / Commandeering the Interceptor

It gets confusing between tracks 7-10 - I've narrowed it down to: Sailing on the Interceptor / Ritual in the Cave / Elizabeth's Rescue / The Pearl Gives Chase / Battle / Walking the Plank

11. Duel in the Cave / Battle on the Dauntless / Jack is Cursed
12. Duel / Battle / Elizabeth to the Rescue / Last Shot
13. Curse is Lifted / Death of Barbosa / Opportune Moment / Black Pearl is Gone / Underwater March (for some insane reason, the marching pirates are placed at the very end of this track)
14. Jack's Rescue / He's a Pirate / Jack and the Black Pearl
15. Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho! / End titles (shortened)

Great fun to listen to though - pick it up today!

For starters: I don't know if Klaus Badelt or Hans Zimmer was responsible for the rousing main theme of the movie (aka Jack Sparrow's theme) but whoever it was, THANK YOU. Brilliant job.

This is a wonderful, wonderful soundtrack. As others have noted, when I first heard that epic theme blasting out as Jack approached the harbor, I wanted nothing more than to commandeer a ship and devote my life to piracy (ahoy!). I went out and bought the CD... and... well...

Disney did a very poor job in organizing it, IMO. There's only about forty minutes of music on this CD - I haven't had the luxury of seeing the movie as often as I want to analyze missing music, but I'm fairly certain several key scenes with good music don't have a place on the soundtrack. Further, the exciting and wonderful end credits... which I stayed in the theater for... aren't here. The beginning of the end credits - "He's a Pirate" - is there, but it cuts off after only minute and thirty seconds. Arg!

I'm giving this CD five stars anyway because the music really IS good enough to forgive the abridged version. For those that would like to see a full-length CD released, I recommend writing Disney and asking about it. This is a marvelous, marvelous soundtrack and it belongs on the shelf of anyone who loves a rousing score.

I am nearly fifty years old. A sober grown man. With children. Children with whom I have now sat through hundreds of movies. Many of which I have enjoyed. And I am not completely hardened in my sophistication. The opening music to The Lion King brought tears to my eyes when my little ones were but wee tots.

But still, these are after all just children's movies. In another life, I would never have seen them. And, really, one can't take such movies too seriously, can one?

And so, this summer, after the ritual badgering, I dutifully trudged into yet another Disney "adventure" movie. Named after that tired old ride in Anaheim I first went on in 1965. I mean really, how much can you expect?

And then, it happened. The swirling intoxication. The stunned feeling. What? Who? How? Was this a movie? Or a religious experience? Perhaps more like an addictive experience...

I cannot remember ever willingly paying to see any movie not starring a relative of mine more than twice, and I can count those movies on one hand. I have now seen "Pirates" four times. The only thing keeping me from seeing it again is the sense that this whole thing is just getting out of hand. I cannot get enough of it. It's like walking into a painting that you never want to come back out of. My children ask, with a note of concern in their voices, "Dad, you really like Pirates of the Caribbean a lot, don't you?"

And that Depp fellow. My God. I never had any idea who he was, but his name sounded like something created for a pubescent cover-boy for magazines published to hook thirteen year-old girls on make-up and bad music. Wasn't Depp the name of some hair-goo product back in the 60s?

I am a straight male. I have several good friends who are gay, but have never fantasized about any gender but the female. But now I understand how women can experience swooning crushes on male film stars. He is simply extraordinary. So sly, so seductive, so canny! I read an interview in which Depp said he went through a slight depression when he had to stop playing Captain Jack Sparrow. I can see why. His inventiveness and sheer pleasure in inhabiting the character come through in every frame. How can I admit to my children that I now troll through fan websites about a former teen heart-throb?

I often don't even watch the Academy Awards, and I certainly never have any emotional investment in who wins.

Except for this year.

Go Jack.

And, in a time when many big-budget movies are little more than a hodge-podge of loosely-connected "money shots" this movie puts all the pieces together, with a sense of fun and light-heartedness in special effects that are simply dazzling. I find myself laughing with dizzy appreciation when Barbossa barks out, "You'd best be believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner, you're in one!" and the grinning skeletons come into view, with Badelt's pounding score keeping time to the beat of their maniacal deck-swabbing. And then there's the scene of the pirate-ghouls slithering up from the darkened sea on the mooring cables of the Dauntless, like infernal cats stalking their prey.

And now to the music. I can just hear the effete aesthetes dismissing this score, as Mr. Zimmerman anticipates with his winking "overproduced by" credit on the cover-liner. "Bombastic." "Overdone." "Absurdly Stupendous."

Well, perhaps it is, for those who spend their lives evaluating such things. To me, it is absolutely transporting. I first listened to it while doing a work-out on a rowing machine and found that I tripled my usual distance. It was like mainlining some hazardous tachycardic amphetamine.

Once again, the children were wondering, "What's up with Daddy? Is he OK?"

Perhaps I am just losing my grip, having an adolescent movie get to me this way. But when those final credits roll, and Captain Jack narrows his eyes and says, "Now, bring me that horizon. Drink up me hearties, yo ho" and the music swells ... it is difficult to put into words the effect it has.

At this point my children have to yank me forcibly from the theater, lest I persist in watching the credits to the bitter end, and bid good-bye to the little monkey once more, wiping tears of exultation from my eyes.

This is not just another "entry" in the summer blockbust sweepstakes. It is an exquisite work of fantasy and inventiveness, a true classic, on the order of "The Wizard of Oz." I do hope Depp's performance garners not just awards, but a place in the pantheon, something we old fogies -- and our gently fogeying children decades hence -- will show to our children and grandchildren like a revealed treasure. I cannot recall any movie having such an effect on me.

I don't own that many movie soundtracks but I was very excited when I got this one. I absolutely love it, despite some of it's short-comings. The one MAJOR complaint I have is the length: way too short. Cheapie Disney ppl... The track listings are totally scrambled and mislabeled. Some person did however make a more acurate track listing that I printed out and put in my CD case:
1) Fog bound/Will & Elizabeth
2)Will& Elizabeth/Jack Sparrow appears
3)The Medallion calls/ Jack's near escape

4)Swords Crossed
5)The Black Pearl
6)The Black Pearl cont./commandeering the Interceptor
7-10) gets confusing - sailing on interceptor/ Ritual in cave/Elizabeth's rescue/The Pearl gives chase/Battle/Walking the plank
11)Duel in the cave/ Battle on the Dauntless/Jack is cursed
12)Duel/Battle/Elizabeth to the rescue/Last shot
13)Curse is lifted/ Death of Barbossa/Opportune moment/Pearl is gone/ Underwater march (for some insane reason the Marching Pirates are placed at the end of this track)
14)Jack's rescue/He's a Pirate/ Jack & The Pearl
15) End titles (drastically shortened, if you want the real thing I suggest just recording it off the DVD itself since that's the best part of the soundtrack)

When you first listen to the CD it sounds weird w/ lots of what I'd call "crackling" on the booming parts, it probably has something to do the recording but I have found if you have a CD player that has a "live" or orchestra setting, it takes the crackles out. (the mega base seems to make it worse)

In any case it's and extreamly moving get-up-and-do-something soundtrack. I can't tell you how much fun it is to listen to. I recently figured out how to play afew of the pieces on the guitar and that's almost as fun ^_^. If you liked the movie I'd really suggest getting the soudntrack, it's a LOT of fun!

-TK

Obtaining this soundtrack immediately after exiting the theater registered as the next logical course of action for me. I was, however, greatly disappointed to find that the CD is filled with only half its potential. Why?! Was there not enough varied music in the film to include on the soundtrack? I find that unlikely, considering how many times the "main action theme" is on here, which by all means is a wonderful cue. Nevertheless, I find main themes that sparsely populate a soundtrack are far more effective: Lord of the Rings, with the exception of the Nazgul chant; Star Wars 'token themes' (Duel of the Fates, Across the Stars); Gladiator.

The song that played in the credits is noticeably absent. A ten minute long 'Caribbean Suite' or some such at the end would have been a great decision to make. Alas.

Concern over the movie's success being a deciding factor in how much time is spent on the soundtrack is foolish; look at the Time Machine: waste of a good score if you ask me.

I never understand why music from a film is left out of the soundtrack when there is plenty of room to spare for it. Pack in 80 minutes! Make the CD worth it!

Having heard the tantalizing music in the movie there was no doubt in my mind that the soundtrack would be much enjoyed. Klaus Badelt deals very well with the whole score and it fits on a grandiose scale with the movie, exploring the rousing feeling the sea can awaken. It is a pity that the whole soundtrack runs a mere 44 minutes. From the first number to the last there is not one piece that does not contain within itself a passage that soars all on its own. It has the feel of the first Lord of the Rings score.

1. Fog Bound - The violin frolics in the beginning then transforms into an entirely foreboding tune and quite jarring, fitting perfectly into the very first scene of the movie with the uncertainty and subtle fear.

2. The Medallion Calls - Perfect introduction for a perfectly eccentric character. The music swells triumphantly and happily turning aside to mourn until rising again to display the whole glory of a very strange but befitting entrance.

3. The Black Pearl - The beginning is shadowy and suspicious rising into the theme of the daring escape from the hands of the Commodore. Uplifting and happily mocking to only turn foreboding once again.

4. Will and Elizabeth - Starts off with the same theme heard in the previous number it tracks our hero through the streets and, I believe, is witness to the extensive swordfight in the smithy. It turns desperate before dissolving.

5. Swords Crossed - Going from jarring to a fearful creep the music accompanies our first look at the cursed crew. The theme is repeated in other pieces where we come across the pirates.

6. Walk The Plank - Soft and deceptive, it makes a surprise turn for the violin and the theme of Jack's strange antics.

7. Barbossa is Hungry - It makes one think of the ship upon the sea, rising and falling with the waves. The music booms and thumps energetically, completing the feel of a chase. This is a great highlight to the score.

8. Blood Ritual - A slow start that reels and cavorts as the piece progresses, building on the previous number, urgent and beseeching. Continuing with elements of the theme of Jack's strange antics and transforming into the heroic theme, fully developed in the final number.

9. Moonlight Serenade - Courting as the title would suggest but mid step turns jubilant and adventurous.

10. To The Pirates' Cave! - The pirates' theme returns, jarring and discordant, with artificial sound effects added to make for a stranger mix for a befitting strange company. Tribal drums turn into the frequently recurring heroic theme only to fade away to tranquility.

11. Skulls and Crossbones - Violent and urgent from the beginning, falling back into the sea and heroic themes, high and steadily rousing the spirits.

12. Bootstraps' Bootstraps - Sinister and lacking real coherency at first, it breaks out into an excellent variation and while still keeping its disturbing hints it rolls with a relish and a bang. One can see it swagger. The heroic theme makes another break for it.

13. Underwater March - A melancholy beginning suitable for a funeral, pulling at the heartstrings, then slowly rising into a cadence of hope, making one think this a tame piece. It veers unexpectedly to a forceful, thumping beat as the horrors stalk across the sea floor.

14. One Last Shot - Calm at first, melding into the playful violin, until finally falling into the all out jaunty tune. There's longing and finality put across by the calming music, building upon itself to end in a promise of more adventure and the limitless soaring of spirit.

15. He's a Pirate - Heard in a few previous pieces the heroic theme breaks across perfectly. The whole orchestra contributing to the weaving and exultant end.

Overall it is a worthy buy.

...which is almost all I have to go by because I keep going back to the same track, this album warrants a 5-star review. It's been a while since I've been this anxious to own a movie score and, now that I have it, I just want to keep running errands at work so I can put my headphones on and crank it up.
Klaus Bedalt's magnificent score - which varies very well with a spooky beginning, melodic love theme, and rousing action pieces (especially the outstanding theme played in full force on the final track) - is turning me into a fan of his very quickly.
The only drawback is that I was hoping for a very long end credits suite, but it cuts off after just two minutes and change. It kinda reminded me of the Face/Off soundtrack where there the boat chase music, the strongest piece in the whole score, was missing from the album.
But even though it is a complaint that knocks my review from 5 stars to 4, the "Pirates" album is truly a worthy buy and I will be keeping an eye on Klaus for a long time to come.
And Hans, what can I say except, you've given us yet another musical poet.

This, for my money, is the finest movie soundtrack of the year! For one thing, THANK YOU, Hans Zimmer (producer) and Klaus Badelt (composer) for not trying to shove some horrible pop song in over the closing credits. (Don't you just hate when they do that? Totally ruins the mood -- especially in a period movie!) This soundtrack is all orchestral (with some effective choir moments) and all great. Yes, Badelt's music does recall the best of Zimmer and has similarities to Howard Shore's brilliant "Lord of the Rings" music -- but this is all good. The tracks are rousing, exhilarating, and absolutely fit the mood of the movie (a lighthearted, heroic romp). Favorite musical moments -- the entrance theme of Capt. Jack Sparrow (just fits that hilarious moment perfectly!), and the music accompanying the first sword fight (in the smithy). Amazingly, I have read that this soundtrack only came about at the last moment -- when the movie's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, decided that he did not like the music that had originally been written (by another composer) -- he didn't think it sounded "piratical" enough. So he called in Badelt and had Zimmer produce -- and with only six weeks to go before the movie's release, they came up with this fantastic score. Say what you will about Bruckheimer -- he has his finger on the pulse! A big hats off to ye, Jerry, and Hans and Klaus. And -- the list of musicians and recording crew inside the liner notes HAS to be read: almost everyone is listed with their "pirate name"! (Hans "Long John" Zimmer...ok, I don't even want to know...)

I'd absolutely fallen in love with this movie, and now the score, along with it.

Klaus Badelt (and his trusty companion, Hans Zimmer) have brought the pirating atmosphere to life with this soundtrack; the chosen instruments, the Celtic air, the action that's involved, they all fall together to make one very complete, and very energising, score.

If you liked the movie Gladiator's score, you'll love this.

You can feel the aura of cursed evil around Captain Jack Sparrow's old ship, The Black Pearl, with the track by the same name; there is swooping action involved with the track "He's a Pirate," which gives you the distinct impression of a very energetic ... well, pirate; one may think the track "Will and Elizabeth" is romantic, but, on the contrary, it well-encompasses Will adventurous passion for saving his damsel; "Swords Crossed" is wonderful, WONDERFUL war/battle music.

I could go through every track, but I recommend getting the CD for yourself - it's worth it, every second.

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean opening day and I'll admit I wondered if the music would hold up the movie any. I was totally proven wrong, Badelt and team have done extermely well with this score, it really gets your blood pumping when watching the fight scenes and hearing the rousing music in the background, track 2, 7 and 11 are some of my favs. Many music reviews will bash this soundtrack saying its too much bass and sounds too much like a Zimmer score well I'd say to them it works with this movie sure its not a period film its not meant to be its a movie that makes fun of itself so why can't the score be something unexpected, if it works and gets you more into the movie then it has accomplished its goal. This score really adds to the movie in many ways, if your a fan of The Rock or Gladiator, or if you got into the music when seeing the movie pick up this soundtrack, my only disappointment in the cd was it was too short only 43 minutes long, but it does have all the big themes from the film.