I, Robot (Score) [SOUNDTRACK]

Marco Beltrami (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Marco Beltrami
• Audio CD (July 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0002IQI3S
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,325 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Prolific sci-fi author Isaac Asimov first penned the foundations of what would become one of his most acclaimed books in the 1940s, eventually adapting I, Robotto screenplay form in the 1970s. It would take Hollywood another three decades to hammer the author's vision into CGI-fueled, would-be summer blockbuster -- yet give composer Marco Beltrami a little over two weeks to compose and record its score after the project's original scorer bowed out. Given such constraints, it's no surprise to find the composer leaning on the same dynamically bi-polar, orchestral/electro-metallic palate that colored his music for Terminator 3 with such broad, sweeping strokes. What passes for melodic motif here (i.e. the main title's brief, descending minor key riff) are largely beside the point; Beltrami never gets the chance to do much other than build suspense via moody atmospherics or underlay the film's copious action with serviceable musical boilerplate. His Hellboy score is a better measure of Marco's true artistic range; this one showcases the shrewd, less-as-more constructs of a craftsman on a tight schedule. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting better all the time, July 22, 2004

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

I was impressed with Blade II... Terminator 3 wasn't bad... Hellboy was the cat's meow... but damned if this once unknown, slasher-flick composer isn't blowing my hair back with another amazingly original, incredible score.

I, Robot didn't really impress me when I began seeing trailers, and I was sure the score would be its saving grace, which is why I was hoping that anyone good would pick it up. After its release, and following the joygasm I had when I saw the movie (twice), I realised two things: Marco Beltrami is really really good, and his score worked perfectly with a movie that is at once an action flick and an insightful preview of our future in a progressively technological world.

It's difficult to even pick out favorite parts of the score, since the whole CD appeals to a variety of different genres. Somber themes of introspection and remorse are perfectly placed, while action cues vary between suspense and all-out mayhem. A few tracks that stand out are "Tunnel Chase" and "Spiderbots" for the action lovers, while "Dead Robot Walking" and "Roundup" will satisfy the more dramatic theme appreciators. The main titles are also worthy bookends to the score.

Beltrami is coming up in the world, and I for one will keep an avid eye out for anything he does in the future. For now though, this score is a must for any fan of good science-fiction scoring.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I, robot rocks, June 27, 2005

By	Danielle Muller "Shulamith" (Sailing, sailing o'er the deep blue sea :)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With the passing of Jerry Goldsmith, the composer world needs another man to rise in his place and take his side by John Williams. I believe that man is Marco Beltrami. The I, Robot score is so beautifully rendered that even in the midst of watching the movie, one can still hear the wonderfully scoring throughout. The end credits are the best, and for those looking to see the best part of the scoring, I recommend that section.

Some may know Marco for his scoring of the second Triple XxX. Yes the movie was terrible, but the music was superb. The man is a genius with notes. If you enjoyed the soundtrack for Triple XxX, State of the Union, I'm sure you'll love the I, Robot score.

Enjoy

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Impressed... VERY Impressed..., August 13, 2005

By	Stephie Fryar "Stephie" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

When I heard that "I, Robot" was finally going to be translated into a movie, my first thought (after the usual musings about casting - can't go wrong with Will Smith as the lead, right? - and director) was who was going to compose the orchestral score. I was somewhat familiar with Marco Beltrami's other film scores ("Scream" series, "T3" and "Hellboy"), but I have to admit, I wasn't sure whether his score would do justice to the movie, especially when I learned that he was, quite literally, a last-minute replacement...

Well, I'm so glad I was wrong... this score is so emotional and powerful on so many levels ("Spooner Spills" and "Dead Robot Walking" are two of my favorite cues), and it fit the mood, tone and theme of the flim so well. I'm very impressed with this powerful, emotive score, and I think Marco Beltrami will take his place alongside John Williams and the new generation of film music composers...