What You Need to Know: Christopher Drake composed one heck of a score here. Orchestrally delivered (be it through samples or other means), the music for Wonder Woman has pep in its step and will take you on an energetic ride through the hero's saga. The first track on the album, which is one of the best cues on the soundtrack, might even take you aback with its size and scope. There is sense of grandeur here, a tone not usually associated with the animated features we normally hear from the straight to DVD market (my first exposure to DC animated movies was the noticably electronic scores by Robert Kral, so this really did rock my comic book world).
When a composer takes full advantage of an orchestral approach, as Drake does here, it helps me appreciate the effort even more. So often we hear music in film that is merely functional and flutters without inspiration, but in a score like this, there is a tangible energy that comes across from his music. The orchestral inspirations, my friends, is not taken for granted in Wonder Woman. Indeed, if this score was constructed by samples alone, than I am doubly impressed.
The thematic drive of this score is quite appealing. One does get a sense that this music could easily be adapted to a live action movie for this character. But that's not to say that the music is too serious for the character at hand. It respects the material and adds another layer of quality to it, all within an appropriate context. The only sequences in which the score seemed to become a little stagnate is when the ominous, confrontational music takes center stage, which is near the end of the soundtrack. By them however, the battle was already won. Drake's work is above average and makes you wonder what could be if composers like himself and Marvel's Guy Michelmore could take the helm of the feature film scores. But, I more than welcome an orchestral spirit to these DVD releases and have little to complain about here; Wonder Woman is...well...wonderous.
Final Score: Jump in and be impressed. Christopher Drake gives you a taste of high energy, exciting themes, and dramatic statements for a hero worthy of such high quality musical representation. It's adventerous and fun, and with the price tag that you can buy it at (on Amazon or physically through La La Land), there's no reason to hold back.
