About the Soundtrack: "Tropic Thunder" has been granted a score release courtesy of the good folks at Lakeshore Records. This score album by Theodore Shapiro should not be confused with the song-only soundtrack, which for score lovers is a critical difference. The good news here is that the score album was not simply a throw-in and actually features 22 tracks, a solid number even if some cues are brief and the overall running time just touches the 40 minute mark. With regards to the packaging -- aside from the credits, the liner offers little else other than photos and a track listing (without times), which is unfortunate. I would have liked to read about Theodore's approach in scoring this comedy as a serious action film. I suppose I should just be thankful this score made it out the gates.
What You Need to Know: Surprisingly, and with good results, "Tropic Thunder" is a score that is serious as Robert Downey Jr.'s makeup application. It's a journey that felt more like traveling into the Hearts of Darkness than it did a comedic venture, and for me, that's terrific! Much like Poledouris' "Hot Shots" films, Shapiro plays this score straight and delivers an intense action flavor with a touch of heroic themes.
In listening to "Tropic Thunder," we should all again be reminded that there are many composers out there who each have a unique talent to offer the industry. The problem is, outside of the 'marquee' names, these guys and gals usually have to toil in type casted genre features to deliver a safe product; a sound that they have been known to deliver consistently. Thus, when I see that a composer like Shapiro is offered an opportunity to work outside the box, I become enthusiastic. Even more so when I hear that his output is above the norm.
"Tropic Thunder" works well on a few different levels, some more successfully than others. Shapiro blends a striking rock/guitar sound with that of an orchestra and exotic vocal melodies in the score. In the opening track, these elements set up the soundtrack effectively and will prime the listener for what's to come with its intense statements. For a good stretch after track 1, the underscore and action fare takes center stage, some of which is enjoyable and some moments merely average. Where the score really gets cooking, however, are the set of tracks near the end of the album, specifically from cues 18 to 22. These tracks alone are outstanding enough to make one offer accolades galore. It's in this portion of the score that a prominent theme is distinguished from the rest of the material and it made me take notice. With its smooth rising melodies and shifting moods, these tracks made for a great "suite styled" listening experience and left me wanting to hear more of the same. By the time the last track concludes its heroic swell, I am sure you will feel a similar way.
Final Score: "Tropic Thunder" is a serious score that could be installed in most war or action flicks that come out of Hollywood today. Theodore Shapiro's music works in contrasting harmony with the movie (intentionally and successfully so), offering listeners a chance to hear the composer's voice in another type of genre in a roundabout way. While some moments of the soundtrack offer standard underscore, the true highlights of the score are too well written and performed to resist. Give this one a shot.
