Big Fish [SOUNDTRACK]

Danny Elfman (Artist), Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 23, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000YTPFC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,567 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Director Tim Burton's adaptation of author Daniel Wallace's bittersweet Southern Gothic novel has been billed as his first mainstream character drama, a notion that conveniently ignores the story's inherent fables and flights of imagination. But composer Danny Elfman understands their every dark nook and murky cranny with this magical, often deftly understated score. While the epic melodrama of his comic book scores (Batman, Spider-Man, The Hulk, et. al.) have made him a mainstream Hollywood music star, longtime fans know that the composer's true emotional range is seldom tapped as well as it is working with longtime collaborator Burton. His music here bridges the delicate pastoralism of Rachel Portman and restless, rhythmic mysteries of Thomas Newman, seasoned with twangy fiddles and bowings to the film's occasionally Gothic turns and concludes with the deliciously loopy "Twice the Love (Siamese Twins Song)." Anchored by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam's wistful theme song "Man of the Hour" and a half-dozen pop chart nuggets than span half-a-century, Elfman's work here (as well as Pearl Jam's) received a much-deserved Golden Globe nomination. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
MUSIC BY Danny Elfman. Sony. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure chest of pop gems and a classic film score, April 17, 2004

By	Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I saw "Big Fish" earlier this winter and loved the film. Tim Burton once again created a whimsical world of fantasy within reality. Next to the vibrant colors and incredible cinematography, the music also played a big role in the film. I am not a Pearl Jam fan, never have been, never will be but I just adored "Man of the Hour" which closed the film. I'm not really a fan of classic rock music either but I always loved The Allman Brothers Band's "Ramblin' Man". I remember first hearing Buddy Holly's "Everyday" in the classic film "Stand By Me". I always loved that song as well. When it comes to film scores, Danny Elfman is one of the most brilliant film composers in modern cinematic history. His work in "Big Fish" was incredible to say the very least. The intricate melodies took me back to the film. If you're expecting to find Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" like in the film trailer for the movie, then you are going to be in for a big disappointment. The song is not on the soundtrack. And if that is the reason for wanting the soundtrack to "Big Fish", then you are missing out on a gem of a cd, if not the point of buying this delightful cd. The music throughout the film was wonderful. Who cares if "Solsbury Hill" wasn't on the soundtrack? As big fan of soundtracks, "Big Fish" is a real treasure.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Music from a Good Movie, January 10, 2004

By	"jamon147" (Providence, RI United States) - See all my reviews

Being a longtime Burton/Elfman fan, I was pleasantly rewarded by both the movie and the music. Actually during the movie, I thought that some of the weakest parts were the other songs used (not composed by Elfman) but I don't mind them being included on the CD. This movie showed that both Burton and Elfman can tone down the weirdness for a while and make a solid movie with a great, subtle score.

No, the song by Yes is not on here -- but it wasn't in the movie, so why on earth should it be on the soundtrack?? Heck, the Peter Pan trailers used Coldplay, but you don't see that on the CD -- this is because the people who design movie trailers are essentially salespeople, NOT the same people who make the movies.

For those interested: The instrumental music on the Big Fish trailer was from Black Beauty (the beginning bit) and Edward Scissorhands (the end bit) -- two other excellent scores by Elfman which I highly recommend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB soundtrack for those who have seen the movie, December 26, 2003

By	"indyspeckle" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

if you have seen the movie, then you will respect this soundtrack for its full spectrum of emotions. this soundtrack complements the movie and is perfect for remembering the poignant film about a son finding truth behind his father's colourful stories.

if you buy this soundtrack for a song you hear during the trailer (NOTE: trailers frequently use the same music over and over), then i suggest you see the movie first before belittling this oscar-quality soundtrack and one of elfman's best scores.