Hellboy [SOUNDTRACK]

Marco Beltrami (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0001XAN9E
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #110,679 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Scores, June 16, 2004

By	D. A Wend (Buffalo Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

One might expect the music for Hellboy to be loaded down with throbbing percussion and blaring brass, but the opposite is true. Marco Beltrami has written a sensitive score that has more to do with the characters and their relationships than battle scenes. The tracks Liz Sherman, Rooftop Tango Father's Funeral and Investigating Liz come immediately to mind as music having well developed themes that are even more rewarding when heard again. There, of course, are great dramatic moments when Hellboy battles the villains, but Mr. Beltrami does not go for a cheap effect and is nicely descriptive; the track entitled Soul Sucker has a nice spooky quality.

In short, this is a thoughtfully composed score that is charming, thrilling and atmospheric. It is a film score than can be listened to again and again for the quality of the music and a CD you will not get tired of.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a decent Beltrami score, April 29, 2004

By	William Smith (Djacarta) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I remember when Marco Beltrami was hacking away at trash like Scream and any other teen slasher flick that came around. I also remember he had one decent theme come out of any of them, which was Sidney's Lament. I then remember him falling into the role of "ubiquitous background score guy" through the rest of the nineties, with a passable score to Blade II and ending up with crap like Terminator 3.

Finally, he gives us something to actually -want- to remember! With his score to Hellboy, Beltrami gives his fans and newcomers alike a thematically rich, near-simplistic yet supremely satisfying take on an otherwordly story. His incredible opening title, the pounding and brassy battle sequences and somber funeral elegy are all features well worth a listen.

Two tracks stand out above the rest, ultimately: The cleverly twisted BPRD theme, which to me is the musical embodiment of wit and charm, and the climactic finale "Stand By Your Man", in which he overcomes his enemies and fulfills his destiny, to become a true hero. This last track, above all, strikes me as one of Beltrami's best, a majestic theme which gives me hope that more will follow.

My only real complaint with this CD is that the themes and tracks are too short! But, this is a film score, dependant on timing, and we get what we get.

Perhaps it was with Del Toro's direction that Beltrami was able to deliver what is almost a complete departure from what he's done in the past, or perhaps he's simply evolved into something completely new. Either way, I look forward to becoming an even more enthusiastic collector of his work, and encourage anyone who appreciates film music to do the same.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new classic emerges from an exciting new composer!, April 8, 2004

By	Ben Isaac (Haslett, MI) - See all my reviews

Marco Beltrami is a very interesting artist, indeed...

Possessing a style that is unique in it's approach to harmony, dissonance, and the mating of electronic elements with symphonic,
Marco is quickly establishing himself as someone who not only has a strong individual voice, but knows how to build on the strengths of his forbearers.

Hellboy is a phenomenal piece of composition. Highly memorable, and addicting like the best kind of drug, the score brilliantly transitions from epic thematic material, to quiet and emotional motifs that bring a deep level of heart and power to the film.

The film and the score are masterworks in the genre and should be
experienced by any who love great film, and great music.

Cheers Marco, you've arrived with this one!

Ben Isaac