Customer Reviews

Speed Racer [Original Motion Picture Score]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I will admit that when I first bought this soundtrack, I was a little disappointed. Hoping for the boisterous themes of The Incredibles, I did not immediately find it quite so entertaining.

Though I still don't think it is quite as good as Incredibles and Ratatouille, I have warmed up to this soundtrack quite a bit. Like always, Giacchino delivers a very jazz imspired score, but inside this one are hidden some things I wouldn't have expected.

"Let Us Drink Milk," one of my favorite tracks, features a choir, something I have not heard yet from 'cchino. Also, "Reboot" features a distinct beat while interweaving subtle themes into the quick, exciting structure of the song.

And then, of course, there is the Speed Racer theme, which is featured throughout the score in both primary and supporting roles. The final song, "Speed Racer," even features a few lyrics, which is actually kind of corny, but very catchy.

If you buy this soundtrack and don't like it at first, keep listening...you may hear things you didn't the first time.

From the great new remake of the old favorite show "Speed Racer," this CD is the fabulous score to the movie, all the songs that were played throughout the background of the movie. This has some beautiful songs and some fun ones too, and I just love listening to it because it reminds me of some of my favorite scenes. However, if you're looking for the fun upbeat remix that you heard in the end of the movie as the credits ran, look for the Speed Racer EP, it's on a different CD. It only has four songs on it, available here at Amazon or on iTunes. The very fun remix is by Ali Dee and The Deekompressors, so check that out too!

Having seen the movie, I was very interested in finding the soundtrack for it, and luckily found it on Amazon.com. The music is very reminiscent of the original Anime TV show from the '60s, and easily evoked images from the movie which I had just seen two weeks prior to ordering the CD. My only disappointment: The remix of the old Speed Racer theme ("Go Speed Racer Go" by Ali Dee & The Deekompressors), though played during the end credits of the movie, wasn't included on this CD. Grade A+ All The Way

First, I LOVE Michael Giacchino. He melted my mind with The Incredibles' score and then he charmed me with Ratatouille. I can't wait to see what he'll do with the upcoming Star Trek feature and I can only hope that the Brain Trust at PIXAR lets him take the scores for CARS 2 or Toy Story 3 out for a spin. But back to the task at hand. . .

In theater, I was thoroughly impressed with the way Giacchino subtly let the music play its supporting role to the story on screen. Given the hype for this feature, I actually brought foam earplugs expecting to have the Dolby-enhanced soundtrack blasted at me for 2 hours. I was more than pleased to find that the score was applied with an artist's touch and my wife and I found ourselves at the end grinning like kids again just waiting to hear the three-tone fanfare announcing Speed's triumph over cheaters and other villiany. I ordered the soundtrack the next day.

On its own, however, the soundtrack isn't as strong as the scores from the PIXAR features. I don't think it's Giacchino's fault, though. Let's face it, Brad Bird's script for The Incredibles is a Shakespeare play compared to the dramatic gravitas of Speed Racer--as it should be. Speed Racer the Movie is a 60's cartoon on Ecstasy. It's a visual snack that I look forward to watching over and over on DVD, but it's not great art.

The score, by necessity, follows the story: Speed Racer RACES...for two hours. Eventually, the music starts to blend together. The lightweight plot produces lightweight musical compositions. After all, how much different, musically speaking, is racing on ice versus racing on sand? The songs are all good, but not as memorable as his previous work.

On the plus side, though: the full orchestra and chorus delivers a richness of tone and color that has become the Giacchino trademark of quality. And the composer is fully faithful to the music of the TV show, especially in "Speed Racer", his take on the Americanized surf-sound version of the Japanese original theme song.

Giacchino shows his respect here, but it also appears that Warner Bros. pulls a "Royalton" with the theme, for this is NOT the song everyone hears during the credits (unless it played later on; I didn't stick around for the full credits). In fact the j-pop techno remix by Ali Dee and the Deekompressors that everyone knows from the movie is missing from this CD, suggesting to me that Giacchino had nothing to do with it. Did he refuse to allow it on the CD because it wasn't his work? It seems to me that Giacchino stayed true to his muse, but the producers decided to add something a bit more "Fast and the Furious" that they could sell to the kiddies as the pop single of the movie. Sad that Giacchino labors for an entire score, only to have an utterly forgettable piece of techno fluff get the star position in the film. Like others reviewing this CD, I too expected to hear the single, but on reflection I think I respect the composer more rather than like the CD less for its absence.

I have to admit I LOVED the movie, it was just so unique, like nothing before, ever! That being said, I have to say I ADORED the music!!!

But also I have to say 'Michael Giacchino' is NOW probably my favourite composer, especially after doing this and his BRILLIANT work on LOST. The music fits the movie just perfectly and by itself it's just as brilliant and moving! The speed of the tracks are quite something, and yet alone, ther tracks can still hit the emotional notes without the need for visual aides.

SERIOUSLY though I loved it anmd anyone who liked the film... it's a great buy, one for the collection!

I am late in writing this since I obtained the album months ago. Kudos for this release which captures beautifully the themes from the original cartoon series from years ago and updates it without spoiling it. Virtually all of this album is exciting; fun; great to put in an Ipod for driving to in the car; biking; skiing; the composer has shown with this and a few other albums (notably Mission Impossible III, Star Trek, The Incredibles) that he can take a previously existing style or theme and expand on it in ways that are creative, but also loyal enough to the theme he is working off of, to write something that has real power. I am adding him to my list of the great action composers (John Barry, John Williams, Danny Elfman to name three) and heartily recommend this album.

I purchased this CD for my 4 1/2 year old who LOVES anything and everything Speed Racer. He has even taken to calling himself Rex! However, regarding the CD.....it's great, my son falls asleep to the CD, we listen to it when we are playing. It is truly great.

I have been a Giacchino fan since the day I purchased The Incredibles. After I saw the movie, I knew I had to get the music. His work on Speed Racer revives the classic theme while giving it a fresh yet familiar and exciting approach. The tracks contain 'adventure' pieces that are actually interesting to listen to, and beautiful swelling strings with a choir. The last 3 tracks, 18-20, are the best, reviving the Speed Racer Theme and mixing in other Giacchino flavors. GET THIS MUSIC!

I loved the movie and the soundtrack is amazing. It does take you back to the movie and also inject adrenaline while you are driving or jogging. It is the best CD I ever bought.

The best film score I've bought this year was The Rescuers Down Under, which was released in 1991 and re-released in 2002. No, it didn't come out this year, and If you want to play by the rules, then Speed Racer is the best(so far) of 2008.

First of all, It was the best movie I've seen this year(2008), but currently The Dark Knight hasn't come out yet and I'm thinking that it will earn first place.

Second, Giacchino is a briliant composer, and has really set the bar high in Speed Racer. Having created the music for(and these are his best): Mission Impossible 3, Ratatouille, LOST(Seasons 1,2,3), and a few of the Medal of Honor video games, Giacchino has outdone himself and has given birth to a masterpiece!

The music has so much energy, and the only downside is that it might have a bit too much! Plus, you have to see the movie to really appreciate the music. And you might have to give the score a few listens to really get into it. Other than that, the music is fantastic.

If you enjoyed the original theme from the TV show, then you're in for a reall treat, because Giacchino seemed to enjoy it too and has weaved it into the score. The last song on the disc is a great example of this, because that's all it really is, the original theme. However, some of the new music has worked its way into it and it sounds so fun.

Another favorite is the track titled The Maltese Ice Cave, where an epic choir blazes the words "Speed Racer, He can race!" over swift violins and other orchestral instruments.

Like I said before, Speed Racer earns 1st place so far, but be careful: If you don't like your music too "speedy", then Speed Racer isn't the score for you.