Search - Michael Kamen :: The Iron Giant (1999 Film)

Michael Kamen's 1st animated score is a classic!

09/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A truly epic score to a charming film. Sweeping themes, and the last track will bring tears to your eyes. And absolute must-own for all fans of the film. And don't forget to wait for the hidden track (featuring, if I remember the film's closing credits correctly, the melodic tones of Director Brad Bird)."

Masterful and moving.

11/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a score I found almost by accident. I havent seen the movie yet but this thing still moves me like no score has in along time. A very flavorful and varied musical pallette. I cant wait to see the movie!"

A Sweeping Masterpiece.

Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 12/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the type of music which drew me into

soundtracks decades ago. Sweeping in its

symphonic might, its derring-do penetrates

with astonishing subtlety, playful insight

and a sensitive clarity perfect for its

gargantuan subject. Composer Michael Kamen

was a deft composer of many a film score,

but his prodigious skills were never better

employed than when he contributed his

considerable skills to Brad Bird's animated

epic, THE IRON GIANT.

A cinematic adaptation of poet Ted Hughes'

sole prose presentation, the Warner Bros.

film stands as a landmark of folkloric

proportions. Great credit for this must go

to the inspired use of music in this film.

Even the incidental music (available on

Rhino, with at least one Kamen selection

not on this release) is hardly that. A

snazzy collection of Jazz, Blues, and R&B

used in the film, it exudes a charm and

presence which will not be denied.



As this Varese Sarabande release reveals,

it is the Kamen score which is all-pervasive

in its wonderful ability to dramatically

summarize and propel its subjects to greater

challenges with each moment. Don't know how

the one reviewer missed a unifying theme

in this work, considering the multi-note

theme which spells the main character's

innocence and potential menace is sounded

throughout the feature.

At points the theme is struck gleefully with

glockenspiel and malletry to signify healing

and renewal. At other points the theme is

imbued with loneliness, smiling discovery,

or sheer wonder with just the right play

of strings and percussion, brass and

woodwind.

The Prokofiev-inspired main theme weaves its way

through the entire film, and is a key example of

just how versatile Kamen is. Each play of the theme

unveils a different facet of the Giant's character,

and says much about those who affect -and are

affected by- what he is and who he will grow to

become.

This gives even greater insight into the overall

music for THE IRON GIANT, from the desperate glory

of the Military to the seedy manipulation of a

Government agent with less-than-ideal motivations

for his actions, however he may fool himself. A

healthy injection of Jazz gives sweet perspective

into the first hint of budding romance, while

old Weekly Reader absolutes lend a dangerous

whimsy to the hidden theme sung well after the

CD's supposed climax. Listen sharp!



Best of all, Kamen's music is so enjoyable whether

with the film, or heard on its own. Listen to this

CD, and find yourself in the healthy grasp of tone

poetry at its finest.

Lifting you to the stars, sweeping you into the

loftiest winds, headlong into peril and loss, or

gently into the promise of a brighter Tomorrow,

this is an aural portrait of grand vision and

delicate homespun, a tribute to the emotional

power and inspirational wisdom of great Music.



Listen well, and enjoy.

"