Search - Danny Elfman :: Dick Tracy: Original Score

A Definite Batman feel

The Clock King | Atlanta, GA USA | 11/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Since Elfman released this soundtrack a year after he wrote the legendary soundtrack for Tim Burton's Batman in 1989, Dick Tracy has a definite "Batman feel." The overture features a bombastic and march-like opening which later tapers down to a 1940's Mariln Monroe-esc orchestral love theme (Tess' Theme). The next track, "After the Kid," continues the original overture theme (the Batman-sounding one) with a slightly more creepier and exciting feel (you know how Elfman is). The third track, Crime Spree, is by far the best Elfman composed Jazz I've heard yet (Corpse Bride's got nothing on it!); Crime Spree is on of the jewels of this sountrack and helps create the "old gangster movie feel" throughout the soundtrack. So now you're thinking: "Wow! I gotta get me this here soundtrack now!" Well... here's why I rated it a four instead of a five. Track four, entitled Brethless' Theme, starts out beautifully and evokes a mood similar to that of the opening song (not the overture, mind you) of Bizet's Carmen. While you're busy marveling at the beauty of the first violin chord, however, you soon realize that half of the track has gone by and you haven't even been listening to it! The music after track three is utterly forgettable save for a few recoveries in tracks five and fourteen. Before I bought this CD off the "Amazon Marketplace" I wondered why in the world Dick Tracy was out of production and why Amazon wasn't selling directly (I mean, come on guys! Elfman doesn't composes crap!). Now you know. While the soundtrack contains several intriguing and exciting themes foreign to some Elfman fans who haven't discovered this CD yet, these few themes and songs are not strong enough to carry the entire soundtrack. There is a remedy, however. Madonna's soundtrack inspired by the Dick Tracy movie completes the circle. While some of its tracks are completely laughable, it does contain (like Elfman's soundtrack)a few musical jems. Combining the best songs from these two CD's and burning them on to one disk creates the best effect. Mr. Elfman, I applaud your efforts on this CD, but, unfortunately, some of the tracks weren't just up to your normal, fantastic standard."

Danny Elfman's most underrated work.

Mike Roach | New Jersey | 02/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every single review I read for this album was neutral, and I don't know why. I think this is a great score. It's my third favorite Elfman score (I think) next to 1.Batman, and 2.Beetlejuice. The best tracks are 1, 3, 5, 12, and 15. I recommend this score to anyone that likes Danny Elfman. Even though the movie wasn't that great, this score is on the other hand."

A decent effort by the wonderful Danny Elfman

Angela Harrell | 12/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the year 1990, director Warren Beatty hired Danny Elfman to score his film "Dick Tracy", based on an old comic books series created decades earlier. The film tried to emulate the great film noir of the earlier 1900's, and Danny Elfman wrote a score appropiate for that setting.



Though there are many who say that this score is far too similar to his earlier "Batman", I disagree with the notion. There are similarities, to be sure, but not incriminatingly so. The album begins with the "Main Titles", introducing us to two major themes: the martial "Dick Tracy" theme, and the Gershwin-influenced "Tess' Theme". Both themes get nice variations later on in the album (especially the former), and I think it is safe to treat this Track as an overture of sorts.



The album wastes no time, jumping to the first action piece in the second Track, called "After the 'Kid'". There are similarities to "First Confrontation" in terms of overall tone and orchestration, but the piece certainly has a personality of its own.



Next comes a wonderfully jazzy Track, a highlight of the album in the form of "Crime Spree". It never ceases to place a smile on my face. And so the album continues, but I am too lazy to outline every Track.



One may notice that I am praising this score profusely, yet I only gave it a Four-Star rating. Well, here is why:



Though the album contains very nice material, it is far too short for its own good, lasting at about 35 minutes or so. The album "paints" a nice musical portrait of the film, but it would still be nice to fill those remaining 40 minutes or so on the Disk.



One should also know that the middle seems to drag a little on the first few playthroughs. However, I recommend giving it a chance, and do not truly evaluate your opinion of the score until you truly get to know it. Yeah, I know this review is about 18 years late, but this score could use a few more positive opinions in the public eye.



Ultimately, I would say that one cannot go wrong with purchasing this album, especially since the Amazon Marketplace prices are so cheap. Pick up this score. You will probably not regret it."