Various
Mega Movies
Telarc CD-80535
[73:34]
It's been a short while since Erich Kunzel's last compilation, perhaps waiting
for enough high profile titles to make one worthwhile. Musically this does
recommend itself "The Big Picture", even if it does fall down in the same
sort of places. Although the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is eminently capable
with the straight re-interpolations of suites, it's in the orchestration
of a piece's unique electronics that the only disappointment can be levied.
The standout case in point here being the limp version of "Threnody in X"
from The X-Files movie. Without Mark Snow's personalised samples it
doesn't occupy the same parallel universe at all.
That sort of carries over to both The Rock and Armageddon,
but some might actually welcome hearing these pieces performed by all live
instrumentation. It's interesting to see 3 apiece from Goldsmith and Horner:
The Mummy, Air Force One, L.A. Confidential,
then The Mask of Zorro, Mighty Joe Young, and Titanic.
Their styles have certainly translated well for the Pops and make for concert
repertoire worthy choices.
Decidedly unusual suspects rounding out the playlist are: Contact,
The Prince of Egypt, A Bug's Life, Elizabeth,
Godzilla, and Shakespeare In Love. All take the ear nicely
enough, but about the best surprise is a well thought out segue editing together
the "Main Title" and "The Flag Parade" from Star Wars Episode One: The
Phantom Menace.
The best fun to be had is testing out your speakers with Michael Bishop's
new batch of sound effects. There's a swish of swords for Zorro, a
helicopter pass-by for The Rock, Podrace zooms for Star Wars,
a bee attack for Mulder on Scully, thudding footfalls in New York from
Godzilla, and the teeth itching screech from ice on metal for the
Titanic.
Reviewer
Paul Tonks
