David ARNOLD
The Musketeer
OST
An old fashioned, rollicking period adventure score. It's just a pity that it never quite makes it beyond the level of serviceable and competent.
The 'Main Title' is rousing, full of bluff and bluster, but somewhat derivative and lacking vitality, although it's still fairly pleasant and this applies to the score as a whole with cues like the sturdy action antics of 'Jailhouse Ruck' and the dramatic suspense of 'The Riot Begins' making for agreeable listening. In other places there is less value to be found with the romantic 'Dartagnan and Francesca' well below par. But at its best on tracks like the dark, vaguely John Barryesque 'Prepare Duschamp For Hell', the music does spark occasional interest.
In summary, a lot of blood and thunder but with little real invention or original thinking. Solid, robust but ultimately also rather forgettable.
Mark Hockley
Ian Lace adds laconically:-
Superman rides again! Derivative. See what I say about modern swashbuckling scoring in my review of Captain Blood on this site this month.
Ian Lace
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