Van Helsing [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]

Alan Silvestri (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Alan Silvestri
• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0001O3Y7Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,751 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Transylvania 1887

2. Burn It Down!

3. Werewolf Trap

4. Journey to Transylvania

5. Attacking Brides

6. Dracula's Nursery

7. Useless Crucifix

8. Transylvanian Horses

9. All Hallow's Eve Ball

10. Who Are They to Judge?

11. Final Battle

12. Reunited

13. [CD-ROM Track]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bram Stoker's original literary Van Helsing dispatched his nemeses-of-the-night with but a crucifix, a few simple wooden stakes, and a dash of garlic. But this CGI-driven, 21st century Hollywood take on the vampire hunter is bigger, bolder, and, judging from veteran Alan Silvestri's thunderous, goth-on-steroids orchestral score, definitely more bombastic. Courtesy of director/big-budget monster revivalist Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Mummy Returns, The Scoropin King), Hugh Jackman's title character now faces off against Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, a giant werewolf, and Mr. Hyde. With an appropriate lack of subtlety, Silvestri seasons the action set pieces with some gloomy, Herrmann-esque brass, jolting doses of massed percussion, the occasional shrieking choral homage to Carmina Burana--and (for some ears) precious too little of Franz Waxman's haunting, neo-Romantic horror-film lyricism. But then, overwrought popcorn epics call for overwrought popcorn scores, and the bold, epic scale of Silvestri's music can't be denied; it has as much alternately jolting/nervous energy as a double-dose of caffeine. Enhanced CD features include an interactive game trailer, game playing clues, a photo gallery, and preview of a comic book merchandising tie-in. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gothic bombast!, July 13, 2004

By	Tom Knapp "Rambles.NET editor" (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Hunting and slaying monsters is boisterous work, and when you're on the job, you want a suitably bombastic soundtrack to reflect your every peril-fraught move.

Alan Silvestri's Van Helsing score fits the bill. Unlike the elegant fugues for organ, screeching violins and crashing discords of some classic horror films, Silvestri acknowledges that Van Helsing is less about fear and dramatic tension, more about action and grand effects. So don't listen for musical nuances here; prepare for smashing percussion, blaring brass, chanting choirs and volume, volume, volume.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and stirring. Alan Silvestri is terrific!, June 2, 2004

By	Marcy Gomez (Kansas City, USA) - See all my reviews

Fans of the film "Van Helsing" or those who enjoy rousing, spectacular soundtracks will no doubt enjoy this amazing score from acclaimed composer Alan Silvestri.

Even from the opening scenes of "Van Helsing," I knew I had to buy this soundtrack. The terrific vocals and powerful score bring in mind Holst's "Mars" (also a strong influence in the film GLADIATOR'S opening battle sequence), Orff's "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana, THE LORD OF THE RINGS' battle sequences music, Mussorsky's "Night of the Bald Mountain" from FANTASIA and the OMEN'S choruses. I am a huge fan of this type of powerful operatic classical music and this soundtrack has quickly become one of my favorite soundtracks.

Oh, if only Alan Silvestri had composed the score for the movie "Troy" then it would've become an even more powerful and stirring film!

I like all of the tracks but the highlights for me would be "Transylvania 1887," "Journey to Transylvania," "The Attacking Brides," "Transylvanian Horses" and "All Hallows Eve Ball."

If you enjoyed this soundtrack then I would also recommend "Simply the Best Classical Anthems" - a masterful compilation of amazing classical works to include Orff, Mussorgsky, Verdi, Holst and others. "Van Helsing" is an amazing score that is stirring and heart-pounding. Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Your Crossbows Ready!, June 3, 2004

By	B.Wray "Green Hornet" (USA) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this cd to all fans and nonfans of the movie 'Van Helsing', starring the mutlitalented Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale. I saw the movie three times and absolutely loved it (My wife actually saw it more times than I did).

One of the things that I loved about the movie was the beautiful, but haunting music by Composer Alan Silvestri. Silvestri's musical score is excellent. I had trouble finding this cd in my local stores -- it was always sold out! Finally, after numerous unsuccessful attempts, I purchased it from Amazon and it arrived quickly. I love all of the music; but, these are my favorites:

1. Transylvania 1887
4. Journey to Transylvania
5. Attacking Brides
7. Useless Crucifix
11. Final Battle
12. Reunited

This cd is enhanced and it contains a nice photo gallery from the movie as well as video game information. I'm not usually a major fan of monster movies; but, I loved this movie and it's exquisite soundtrack and I hope you do also.