Red Dragon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT]

Danny Elfman

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack, Import
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00006DTYY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,982 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This vaunted "new" chapter in the exploits of serial killer/cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter is actually the first, essentially a remake of Manhunter, Michael Mann's adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel in which Dr. L. is but a supporting player. But where Mann used a nervous, often ironic rock and postpunk pop score, Danny Elfman's largely orchestral soundtrack here punctuates the film's creep factor with tense arpeggios and crashing rhythms. Nothing wrong with that, per se--the old school masters succeeded following a similar tack for decades. But Elfman is no Bernard Herrmann here. In fact, there's often precious little to remind us that this is the same composer who served up such goth-modern standouts as Batman, Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Darkman. It's a score that's masterfully atmospheric, yet strangely sterile--and one that occasionally dithers uncomfortably close to McGoth. The Enhanced CD features here include interviews with Elfman, director Brett Ratner, and star Anthony Hopkins. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Score - reminiscient of Bernard Herrmann, September 24, 2002

By	"shj5f" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews

Danny Elfman is an excellent composer. From his frequent collaborations with director Tim Burton (Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas) to his more dramatic genre of composing (he wrote for Good Will Hunting as well) to the "everyone knows it" genre (The Simpsons), it is almost certain that every full-blooded American has at least HEARD an Elfman original. This (RED DRAGON) is one of his best! It is strangely haunting, remarkably nuanced (listen for the sound effects and the flavors from Hans Zimmer's HANNIBAL score and Howard Shore's THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS score), and down-right chilling. Bernard Herrmann, who frequently composed for Hitchcock, is a self-professed favorite of Elfman. And why shouldn't he be? Hitchcock told Herrmann to do whatever he wanted for PSYCHO, except write anything for the shower scene. Thank God he didn't listen! Herrmann's violin shrieks are now well-known to nearly everyone. While Elfman's score may not last through the generations or be quite as "off the beaten path", it is none-the-less a wonderful performance from one of the greatest composers we have today. I think Herrmann would be proud. . .I know I am glad to own this, even before having seen the movie.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very agressive, September 26, 2002

By A Customer

This music fits well with the Harris novels about Hannibal Lector. This time around it's Danny Elfman's turn to give it a shot. Howard Shore's was simple yet hauntingly beautiful, Hans Zimmer's boardered on some classical work, but again beautiful, Elfman really gives us some great music here and I would recommend it to anyone.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the film!, September 28, 2002

By A Customer

Now before you scream at me for liking this score, let me tell you I am an AVID fan of Manhunter. I love every part of it, and I really don't mind this remake since it will be more about madman Francis Dolarhyde and his love interest Reba McClane than FBI Agent Will Graham (Dolarhyde and Reba being my favorite characters who did NOT get enough screen time in Manhunter, although they put on the best performances in the movie).
The score is one of Danny Elfman's voice, and I proudly say it's superior to Silence of the Lambs' score. The violins make sooth little sounds and then out of nowhere come violently shrieking up and down, creating intense imagination. The piano whispers like a softly spoken lullaby; listen to the first track, Logos - it is perfect for this gothic cinematic pleasure.
I won't deny at all that Manhunter had one of the best soundtracks ever - I own the soundtrack and listen to it a lot. You cannot compare Red Dragon's score to Manhunter, though. Manhunter's score is very atmospheric and features a lot of Enya-type tunes and good rock songs fit to every scene (This Big Hush was brilliantly picked for Francis and Reba's love scene), but Red Dragon's score is pure orchestral beauty. The music does have a huge "I KNEW Danny Elfman scored this" mark to it, but it is very different from his other works. This, Batman Returns and The Nightmare Before Christmas are his best works. I can barely wait to go see Red Dragon in theatres now considering how grand of a score this is.