Medal of Honor: Underground (2000 Video Game) [SOUNDTRACK]

Michael Giacchino

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 12, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• ASIN: B000055X9W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #146,730 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Michael Giacchino's follow-up to the first Medal of Honor video game soundtrack is slightly less intense, but just as beautiful as the original. The composer once again melds symphonic elements (played by the Northwest Sinfonia) with a choir to create a stunning score, but the themes are different here, slightly less epic and more subtle. The video game's story line follows a woman (Manon) in the French Resistance during World War II and so, instead of numerous John Williams-inspired combat themes, we get dramatic cuts such as "Panzer Blockade" and "Labyrinth of the Minotaur," where quick tempos and spiky rhythms prove more effective than big crescendos loaded with percussion. On "Returning to Paris," you can virtually hear all the obstacles that come across Manon's field of vision. Like its predecessor, this disc ranks with Hollywood's best dramatic soundtracks, and Giacchino proves again he's a composer to watch. Maybe not the most original music you've heard, but certainly an effective and well-played sonic match to the video game. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original was amazing, the sequal beyond incredible!, January 7, 2001

By	Joseph Payne (Chattanooga, Tennessee) - See all my reviews

For every person I know who owned the original "Medal of Honor" soundtrack, not one of them said a negative word about it. Of course, for all of the Giacchino fans, we all wanted to hear a sequel to "Medal of Honor", and sure enough, guess who got the job. With all the experience he had gained for composing the original "Medal of Honor" soundtrack, Giacchino took the score for the sequel above and beyond that of the original. It is not very often that you find a sequel better then an original, but when it comes to music, Underground in particular, that is not the case. For every minute you spend listening to this score, you will never doubt all the time and effort Giacchino put into composing it... --- Like Giacchino said before the release of Underground, the musical style was to be much different then its predecessor. In many cases, this is true, but you always know a Giacchino score when you hear one. If you're like me, you always looked forward to the "German theme" that was spread about in "Medal of Honor", and to my surprise, it is used periodically in Underground. As a matter of fact, the opening main theme begins with thick piano chords thundering in the background, immediately followed by the German theme. (Yes, it makes you say: "They're back!") This is followed by a soft rhythm for the strings brass, and sometimes even an accordion! Since Underground is based on the French Resistance forces who menaced German occupation during World War II, the accordion really takes the music into shape, even if it does sound rather funny at first. --- Although every track for Underground has it's different themes and styles, none are as good as "Escape from Casablanca". Just as "Taking Out the Railgun" was the big hit in "Medal of Honor", Casablanca gets the fame for Underground. Here Giacchino combines a swift rhythm, bold brass, and the ever-so-fearsome German theme to make a king of all the tracks. "Escape from Casablanca" is definitely one of the main attractions for this score. --- So, "should I get it" you say? For me, the answer is a little obvious. Get it now!!! Especially for those of you who own the original MOH. Underground is twice, or even more, better. It's another one of those scores that becomes addictive after awhile. (and there aren't many soundtracks like that) As always, you can here all the interesting techniques that John Williams uses in his music throughout Underground, so if you're big on Williams, this couldn't better. Give this one a try. A definite must-buy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you liked "Medal of Honor"...., December 17, 2000

By	Rachel Roberts "ad-el" (Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

You'll LOVE "Medal of Honor: Underground"! When my best friend let me borrow his CD, I didn't think that I would like it.... ha ha ha, he sure showed me. Thanks, Joe. : ) Anyway, I listened to it non-stop. It is a really good soundtrack to get if you like intense music, because believe me, it'll get you pumped. Michael Giacchino certainly knows how to make breath-taking music, and I believe that he is up on the charts with John Williams. The Orchestration is fantastic and one of the best I've heard... This one is definitely worth every cent.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best In The MOH Series, August 17, 2005

By	Medal of Honor Fan (UK) - See all my reviews

Underground is perhaps the best soundtrack in the MOH series. Giacchino adds a boys choir to enhance the listening experience, and they deliver great performances on many tracks. An ethnic flavour, ranging from Frence (accoedian) to Italian and Greek is present throughout the score. The main theme is a great one, which really conveys Manon's resolve and courage. The Nazi theme returns, as pompous and fantastic as ever, ready to do battle across Europe. The Ally's and Patterson's themes may be absent, but this does not detract from the soundtrack. The Panzer Motif is also here (in 'Panzer Blockade').
Great tracks include 'Amongst The Dead,' which is really eerie, 'Fleeing The Catachombs,' a great chase-piece and 'Panzer Blockade,' where the Panzer Motif is splendid.
'Labyrinth of the Minotaur' is a Greek themed piece, with a wonderful rendition of the Nazi Theme. 'Last Rites' and 'The Battle Of Monte Cassino' are both choral epics that portray both the action, and saddness of war around this Italian Monastry.
The finale, 'Beneath The City,' is a fast-paced race against time with a triumphant announcement of Manon's Theme.
'Each Night He Comes Home To Me' is a quirky fun piece that slots into the album nicely.
You will find this album is very beautiful, and furthur develops Giacchino's style. The artwork on the book (which includes extensive notes on each track) and disc is spot on.
Buy soon, because this title is out of print, and there aren't many left!