Men in Black II (MIIB): Music from the Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]

Danny Elfman (Composer), Will Smith (Artist)

Product Details

• Composer: Danny Elfman
• Audio CD (July 2, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000068QY8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,049 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Given the massive box-office success of the original Men in Black, the only real surprise was that it took Hollywood five years to crank out the loopy, CGI-laden sequel. Composer Danny Elfman keeps the original MIB creative team intact, weighing in with a typically energetic orchestral score that dutifully ratchets up the suspense and punctuates the action. But it's a largely connect-the-dots exercise; aside from the deliciously loungy pair of Austin Powers-savvy bossa novas that bookend his work here ("Worm Lounge #1 (Worms in Black)," "Worm Lounge #2"), there's a sometimes uncomfortable lack of originality (let alone melodicism) in much of what remains. The tense, workmanlike efficiency works fine with the film, but longtime fans may find this a decidedly McElfman listening experience. Still, the soundtrack ends on an a pair of appropriately goofy/cheesy notes: Tim Blaney's gravel-voiced Frank the Pug crooning "I Will Survive" with grating canine fervor and the duet of Will Smith and Tra-Knox gettin' jiggy with the hip-hop/Bond music hybrid "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No, Really, It's a Great CD!!!, July 5, 2002

By A Customer

Contrary to the last reviewer, I'm not going to base my review of the album on one song (which I think is silly) or type a long-winded rant on commercialism today (which I think is a waste of time when you're supposed to be writing about a CD), but rather write about the whole album. Simply, this is one of the best soundtracks for a movie in a while. Danny Elfman continues to amaze me as being one of the most original-sounding and inventive composers today. His ability to blend orchestral and synthesized music is fantastic, and his ability to create simple but memorable themes is rivaled only by John Williams. For this movie, instead of using the same orchestrations for the MIB theme, he plays around, coming up with different ways of utilizing it (listen to the fabulous "Worm Lounge #1 (Worms In Black)", "Titles" and "Big Jeff") to prevent it from becoming boring while still keeping it the central theme of the score. Also, the more poignant sections of the score (such as "J Nabbed/K's Back" and "The Light") are truly beautiful, showcasing strings and guitar wonderfully. Throughout the score are bursts of choral music that Elfman is known for, and it adds a great touch. At the end of the score there are two additional songs: Tim Blaney (as Frank the Pug) singing "I Will Survive" and Will Smith's "Black Suits Comin'." A Frank the Pug cover of "I Will Survive" is a great idea (and one of the best moments of the movie), but it gets a bit annoying here-Frank "sings" in a monotone throughout the song. "Black Suits Comin'," however, is a pretty good song, considering it's for a movie. It has a chorus that won't go away-it will get stuck in your head for weeks, and that's actually a good thing. You can hear how Will is experimenting a bit and trying for a different audience with a more rock-oriented beat and sound. Also, it sounds like Will used real orchestra for the song, which is a welcome change from the oversynthesized "music" I've been hearing so much of nowadays. And while it may not be "music fan"'s idea of great music, I don't think I'd find an argument if I said that the song is certainly better than anything you might find on TRL (Avril Lavinge-now there is some empty music). Overall, this CD certainly deserves a spot in the collection of any Danny Elfman fan, any lover of movie soundtracks, or any good music fan anywhere, and once you put in your CD player, you won't be able to take it out!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Different kind of Elfman; Standard Smith, July 4, 2002

By A Customer

This is a half-decent soundtrack. Danny Elfman's work here is good, but it's quite different than his other scores. It's much more lighthearted than his score for MIB1, much like this film's tone. His work here isn't even as good as is other summer score, "Spider-Man." Still, this is a good soundtrack. Will Smith's new song is pretty good, but it's nothing like his previous MIB song. However, this doesn't kill the entire CD...If you like Danny Elfman, buy this disc. If you only like Will Smith buy his new CD (which has this new MIB song on it).

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elfman is back in black, November 3, 2002

By	Brandon Cutro (Tyler, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Danny Elfman, having scored the first Men in Black is back again scoring the sequel. No other composer could have done it but Danny Elfman. This score is much more groovier than the first. Elfman uses the Men in Black theme much more in this one than in the first. It is not exactly the same as the theme from the first, as little variations are thrown in to make it a bit different. In fact, almost every track uses the M.I.B. theme in some way or another. When you first put the CD in the player, this hip-hop tune starts up. "Worm Lounge #1" is Elfman in crazy form with swinging trumpets, hip-hop bass, and quirky la la vocals. Don't try dancing to this one, it will make you look stupid. Most of the score is groovy sounding with electric guitars along with a rhythm section and a moderately sized orchestra. "Big Jeff" is a thrilling action cue, with firing brass and choir. The chorus is also utilized in other cues, such as "Headquarters". "The Real Story" and "Heart Thump" take a break from the quirkiness music and show a more mellow side. From "The Defense Begins" to "The Finale", the music really takes off and shines. A massive brass section and a thrilling choir showcase these tracks and show Elfman in top form. "I Will Survive", the classic Gloria Gaynor song, shows Tim Blaney singing as "Frank the Pug". It doesn't really sound like singing, but more like talking. Will Smith's song "Black Suits Comin'" is cool and better than his song from the first film. He too is a talented artist and a great actor. However, Elfman is the spotlight of this soundtrack and showcases his incredible writing talents throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable soundtrack.