About the Soundtrack: Brian Tyler is back on the scene, this time with a vibrant and surprisingly moving score for one of the year's worst films, "Bangkok Dangerous." The music, performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic, was released by LionsGate Records and checks in with 31 tracks in total. While we all know that the Prague Philharmonic has been a busy outfit in recent years, I think the score they churned out for "Bangkok Dangerous" is one of their best performances in recent history. Sadly, it might all be for naught since Nicolas Cage's movie was a dud from the outset, thus I don't imagine too many listeners will be seeking out this score. Let's hope my review changes that conception.
What You Need to Know: The one thing the score for "Bangkok Dangerous" proves to me is that Brian Tyler will never mail it in. Even when faced with a film that is a literal mess, he still manages to put together a score that is not only exciting but full of emotional energy as well. That's professionalism for you...
The first action item for a listener who is dealing with this album is to cast aside the images from the film (including Nicolas Cage's hairstyle) and focus on the music as it's own entity. If you heed that advice, you will discover a coolness in the work that the movie itself never delivers Taking a modern approach, Brian brings the Thai underworld to life with a multiple themes and shifting tempos that offer a balance to the work that I found surprising. You see, I had figured this score would simply be an adrenaline filled action score with few textures and even less emotion. I was wrong; Brian score offers a complete, varied and interesting experience.
Of the various themes in play in "Bangkok Dangerous," the one I found to be most appealing is the heartfelt piano motif that is heard during the reflective moments of the score. The tempered, soft notes of this icy motif is quite memorable and contrasts the frantic pace of the underworld effectively. On the other end of that spectrum, the score does offer a complete package of action cues that are as original as they are pulse pounding. When I mentioned that Brian attacked this score with the same energy and intensity that he would any other, it's clearly evident in these sequences since the originality of the music is very, very impressive. It was really interesting to hear so many original components employed when the score heated up, especially when you're a fan of brass, percussions and driving background rhythms as I am.
During the back end of the album, some of the more Thai inspired tracks make their way out. While I would say that the majority of this score is western sounding, the asian elements are certainly in the mix and are written in as part of the fabric of the score, not as it's main focal point. To that end, there is a style of subtlety that can be enjoyed even during the more high energy moments of the soundtrack. This again brings back the point about the balanced nature of this album -- it's a complete and well rounded score, which is something we have all come to expect from this talented composer.
Final Score: In the face of great adversity that is weak filmmaking, Brian Tyler stays focused and delivers an excellent score for "Bangkok Dangerous." There's everything a fan would want in a score of his, including a dynamic blend of action and emotion that perseveres beyond the source material. In fact, with one listen to this score, you'll be asking yourself, "just how the hell did Brian pull this one off?!" That he did is a testament to his skill and focus because I don't know of too many composers who could have written a score this interesting for a film this bad. "Bangkok Dangerous," the soundtrack, is a solid play.
