This French film became a box-office sensation to rival Titanic in its home country, succeeding largely by gene-splicing several different commercially robust Hollywood genres (chiefly the costume drama, horror film, and m... more »artial arts thriller) and pumping them up with a typically American sense of cinematic scale, if not emotional depth. Composer Joseph Lo Duca cut his teeth in commercials before beginning a successful collaboration with Sam Raimi in both films (the Evil Dead series, Army of Darkness) and TV (most notably Xena and Hercules), and his percussive, largely synthesized score for Wolf will be instantly familiar to longtime Raimi fans. With Spanish guitar arpeggios set against howling electronic effects, hoodoo-rhythmed electronic drums, horror-film jolts, and galloping action cues, Lo Duca raids his genre-rich résumé and imparts this ostensibly trans-ethnic score with an energy that's distinctly Hollywood inspired. --Jerry McCulley« less
This French film became a box-office sensation to rival Titanic in its home country, succeeding largely by gene-splicing several different commercially robust Hollywood genres (chiefly the costume drama, horror film, and martial arts thriller) and pumping them up with a typically American sense of cinematic scale, if not emotional depth. Composer Joseph Lo Duca cut his teeth in commercials before beginning a successful collaboration with Sam Raimi in both films (the Evil Dead series, Army of Darkness) and TV (most notably Xena and Hercules), and his percussive, largely synthesized score for Wolf will be instantly familiar to longtime Raimi fans. With Spanish guitar arpeggios set against howling electronic effects, hoodoo-rhythmed electronic drums, horror-film jolts, and galloping action cues, Lo Duca raids his genre-rich résumé and imparts this ostensibly trans-ethnic score with an energy that's distinctly Hollywood inspired. --Jerry McCulley
"The film was beautiful. The soundtrack complimented the artistry of the scenes and frankly, drove the movie. Being a fan of both Xena and Hercules, I picked up on similarities with certain notes, certain ways the music played with the scene before knowing who did the score. And there is additional theme through some of pieces which also appealed to me; in some place I am reminded of Clint Eastwood's "spaghetti" westerns as I'm listen to the score, especially in the lead track "The Grey Wolf"
A must have CD! And when the film comes out on DVD, get that too :-)"
Intense
Frank N. Tilley | 01/13/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Don't overlook this soundtrack! I have not seen the movie, but I found the soundtrack to be quite amazing. The composer has used an arsenal of sounds to create tension and anticipation. It is not a big theme song soundtrack, but rather one full of driving beats and exploration. Towards the end there are some very dark arrangements which set this soundtrack apart from others. I wasn't totally sold on the use of guitar distortion on some of the tracks. Perhaps it needed some assistance from another rock instrument. It sounded somewhat naked or alone against the other sounds being used. Track 3 is a standout. At the moment, Virgin's site does provide sound samples."
Mysterious and haunting, filled with beautiful sounds
Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 05/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoa! This soundtrack is really something. A definite must have. Joe LoDuca has created a wonderful and thematic score for the absolute BEST film of 2001. Although the main theme isn't used enough it comes thru best in tracks 3,4,20 and 21(Once).
Many of the other tracks either evoke a bizarre Danny Elfman style (Track 5) or are atmospheric, tension tracks used in scenes of mystery. It is in these, basically empty, tracks that the CD fails but they are bearable whenever the secondary theme kicks in.
This CD is hardly ever out of my player and if you are a fan of the movie or even if you just love great music then this is for you."
Simply marvelous
C. A Baker | Santa Rosa CA United States | 03/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw the movie and was blown away by the score. As a fan of LoDuca's work on Xena and Hercules I thought it sounded very much like his work and then the credits rolled and I saw it was him!
Very beautiful and Joeseph LoDuca at his best for this fabulous film that is like seeing one of the fairy tales of old come to life. And I don't mean the children's versions so many of us are used to.
Dark and dangerous, beautiful and horrifying Jospeh LoDuca conveys all of this and does it with originality and great talent.
I hope now that Herc and Xena are done we will hear more of his work in films."