|
"Hostage"
Score Composed by Alexandre Desplat
Audio Clips: None
So far, film scores this year have been fairly conservative, not breaking new ground, or delivering any true excitment. While "Hostage" was actually out in theaters a while ago, the soundtrack release comes at a time when the DVD hits the shelves.
The soundtrack for "Hostage" is both a enlightening and frustrating at the same time. It boasts a composer who brings something different to the table. Desplat definitely proves his worth to the Hollywood brass with his representation here. However, given the score's long running time, the music overstays its welcome a bit too long.
Overall, the score is intelligently written, and sways from typical genre fare (Hans Zimmer, anyone?). It makes an interesting study moreso a complete and engaging listening experience. Desplat weaves in very unique touches at different moments. The varying use of instruments gives this score an identifiable focus and makes it stand out in a more unique manner than most of the soundtracks I have heard this year. Some tracks also feature a female vocalist who casts a child-like shadow onto the music. It's a nice inclusion, but these cues never reach haunting proportions. Perhaps my sole problem with these cues, and the entire score itself, is that the melodies of the music simply did not appeal to me. I just couldn't connect with it.
I must also point out that there is a strong consistency throughout the score. Desplat never strays too far from the ominous tones that lock in the mood of the film. The focus is first-rate. With 24 tracks, all of which are moderate in length, the soundtrack definitely does not fall short on content. Typically, when a score with so many tracks is released, we are offered up track times that run as few as 25 seconds per cue. Not so with this; there's plenty of music to dig into here. The question is -- are you, as a listener, durable enough to listen to it in one pass? I wasn't.
I am torn, wanting to give this one a higher rating due to the creative contribution of the overall piece. However, like all the other reviews on this site, I have to base it on my personal experience, and thus it leaves me no choice but to give it a marginal nod.
Final Score: An effort worth appreciating, but ultimately, it's a slightly above average listening experience.
| 1. |
Child's Spirit |
1:50 |
| 2. |
Hostage |
2:52 |
| 3. |
Canyon Inn |
1:48 |
| 4. |
The Watchman |
2:47 |
| 5. |
The Waterfall |
1:52 |
| 6. |
Crawl Space |
1:33 |
| 7. |
Talley's Theme |
2:59 |
| 8. |
Drive |
1:32 |
| 9. |
Breaking In |
4:30 |
| 10. |
The House |
2:20 |
| 11. |
Tommy's Theme |
1:41 |
| 12. |
The Secret Place |
3:29 |
| 13. |
House On Fire |
5:33 |
| 14. |
The Negotiation |
4:02 |
| 15. |
The Choice |
1:21 |
| 16. |
Talley's Plan |
2:01 |
| 17. |
Screens And Shades |
1:06 |
| 18. |
FBI |
1:29 |
| 19. |
Mars' Theme |
2:41 |
| 20. |
The Trade |
1:54 |
| 21. |
The Killer |
1:59 |
| 22. |
Captain Wooba |
4:59 |
| 23. |
Talley's Family |
2:52 |
| 24. |
Child's Spirit (Extended) |
2:31 |
| |
Total Time: |
61:41 |
|
|
Back to Soundtrack Reviews
|
|
|
