Produced by Harry Gregson-Williams, the “Gladiator II” soundtrack came out three days ago with a handful of new sounds to mull over before the movie’s air date. It’s time to sit down, plug in some headphones, listen to these “new” tracks and become ... mildly disappointed with half of the songs.
The dramatic violins and drums feel very familiar. It’s a rhythm played in other movies hundreds of times before. The crescendo, the sudden silence, the background vocalizations and the dramatic ups and downs, it becomes expected to hear these in film scores.
If the tracks were left with just that, they would lack a certain level of uniqueness. Thankfully, combating the uniformity, a few pieces ring with unique horn-blowing sounds and vocals reminiscent of the kind that might appear in a “Lion King” song.
Just as the music begins to get complacent, the song “Angry Baboons” twists the common theme with many tribal drums, vocals, flutes and horns. From the song alone, it’s easy to visualize the scene without seeing the movie, and that’s what a good film score should do.
Another song that fits the same unique energy would be “Defiance,” dramatic and perfect for a fight scene. It kicks off strong with passion and panic, although the fun melody falls a bit on the short side.
A very sinister and fitting note carries into most of the tracks. Dark undertones, ancient flutes, electric guitars and humming vocals accompany most of the songs to further the theme of such a violent film. It wouldn’t hurt to experiment with opposite themes and melodies. Who knows, maybe that magic spark would be more apparent if the songs were almost “out of place.”
Sadder songs need to get some love as well, and sad songs can be a complete hit or miss depending on familiarity. Most of the sorrowful notes in this album are completely unremarkable. “The Dream Is Lost” is one of the only songs that evokes a sense of sadness while fueling the fighting spirit.
At the end of the playlist, “Now We Are Free” plays once more, just as it did in the first “Gladiator” movie. Hearing the familiar melody can bring a smile to anyone’s face, regardless of the journey taken with the other songs.
From the music alone, it’s easy to assume the film is all a bunch of fighting and death, along with a bit of hope and desperation, but the few tracks that stand above all the rest give hope to the potential beauty of the film. “Gladiator II” shows in American theaters on Nov. 21, so perhaps the film will prove fitting for the music.
The dramatic violins and drums feel very familiar. It’s a rhythm played in other movies hundreds of times before. The crescendo, the sudden silence, the background vocalizations and the dramatic ups and downs, it becomes expected to hear these in film scores.
If the tracks were left with just that, they would lack a certain level of uniqueness. Thankfully, combating the uniformity, a few pieces ring with unique horn-blowing sounds and vocals reminiscent of the kind that might appear in a “Lion King” song.
Just as the music begins to get complacent, the song “Angry Baboons” twists the common theme with many tribal drums, vocals, flutes and horns. From the song alone, it’s easy to visualize the scene without seeing the movie, and that’s what a good film score should do.
Another song that fits the same unique energy would be “Defiance,” dramatic and perfect for a fight scene. It kicks off strong with passion and panic, although the fun melody falls a bit on the short side.
A very sinister and fitting note carries into most of the tracks. Dark undertones, ancient flutes, electric guitars and humming vocals accompany most of the songs to further the theme of such a violent film. It wouldn’t hurt to experiment with opposite themes and melodies. Who knows, maybe that magic spark would be more apparent if the songs were almost “out of place.”
Sadder songs need to get some love as well, and sad songs can be a complete hit or miss depending on familiarity. Most of the sorrowful notes in this album are completely unremarkable. “The Dream Is Lost” is one of the only songs that evokes a sense of sadness while fueling the fighting spirit.
At the end of the playlist, “Now We Are Free” plays once more, just as it did in the first “Gladiator” movie. Hearing the familiar melody can bring a smile to anyone’s face, regardless of the journey taken with the other songs.
From the music alone, it’s easy to assume the film is all a bunch of fighting and death, along with a bit of hope and desperation, but the few tracks that stand above all the rest give hope to the potential beauty of the film. “Gladiator II” shows in American theaters on Nov. 21, so perhaps the film will prove fitting for the music.
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