Absolutely love this score and the movie--minus the bookends of course.
The movie as a whole leaves me cold, but those bookends are by far the worst part for me. Kinda cringe-inducing, in fact. If not for them I could appreciate the film a bit better for its merits, I think.
Can see why some may think this score dull and boring. Certainly not the action score one might expect from such a movie, but likely what they were going for. Personally didn’t think the film was worthy of all the praise. However, I enjoy this “dull” Williams score very much. Somber, patriotic, reflective and a favorite of mine.
Will be an automatic buy for me....to each their own.
"Hymn To The Fallen" is legitimately one of the most emotional pieces of music of Williams' long career, and its use in the re-release trailer hits you like a ton of bricks (that star shot of Hanks!!!!). After the first two tracks, which are both perfect, there's really not much I go back to revisit (there is an interesting Star Trek VI reference in one of the cues, though that might just be a classical bit that Eidelman also picked up).
So even though I have no plans to purchase this release myself, I am happy thinking about what future Williams doors this might open for LLL.
Yavar
This is awfully nice to to read! Hail optimism!
I thought the war scene in the beginning (ya know, the blood and guts thing) was the only thing memorable about the movie...and it sure wasn't good enough for me to willingly watch the movie again. Disturbing works better for me when I like the story/people around it (Deer Hunter).
Still, it's obvious Spielberg and co. went ballistic on that one scene. Another member called it bookend...to me there wasn't anything after that scene, so I prefer top heavy.
That said, since I am going to give the score another try I probably should watch the movie again!
"Hymn To The Fallen" is legitimately one of the most emotional pieces of music of Williams' long career, and its use in the re-release trailer hits you like a ton of bricks (that star shot of Hanks!!!!). After the first two tracks, which are both perfect, there's really not much I go back to revisit (there is an interesting Star Trek VI reference in one of the cues, though that might just be a classical bit that Eidelman also picked up).
HOWARD JOHNSON IS RIGHT... "Hymn To The Fallen" IS one of Williams' most emotional pieces, so much so that I can't even LISTEN to it, because I end up sobbing uncontrollably(My dad was in WW 2, so I guess I have a somewhat small connection to it). But, I think I've listened to the entire CD a grand total of ONE TIME... that's it! Maybe I should listen to it again... ya think?
I'm the weird one who thinks the Hymn to the Fallen track is the least favourite on the album. I absolutely love the slow, sombre tragic stuff that fills the main score proper. I never tire of its melancholic mood. It's another one of his long line melodies that I just can't get enough of. When the new Hymn theme trundles in for the end credits, it feels like it's from another film, such is the change in mood. I hope they've unearthed a stack o' stuff that went unused or sounds crazy alternate. Looking forward to the track info blurby details.
So even though I have no plans to purchase this release myself, I am happy thinking about what future Williams doors this might open for LLL.
Yavar
This is awfully nice to to read! Hail optimism!
I thought the war scene in the beginning (ya know, the blood and guts thing) was the only thing memorable about the movie...and it sure wasn't good enough for me to willingly watch the movie again. Disturbing works better for me when I like the story/people around it (Deer Hunter).
Still, it's obvious Spielberg and co. went ballistic on that one scene. Another member called it bookend...to me there wasn't anything after that scene, so I prefer top heavy.
That said, since I am going to give the score another try I probably should watch the movie again!
The bookends are the modern-day sequences with (the guy playing) "MATT. DAMON."
So even though I have no plans to purchase this release myself, I am happy thinking about what future Williams doors this might open for LLL.
Yavar
This is awfully nice to to read! Hail optimism!
I thought the war scene in the beginning (ya know, the blood and guts thing) was the only thing memorable about the movie...and it sure wasn't good enough for me to willingly watch the movie again. Disturbing works better for me when I like the story/people around it (Deer Hunter).
Still, it's obvious Spielberg and co. went ballistic on that one scene. Another member called it bookend...to me there wasn't anything after that scene, so I prefer top heavy.
That said, since I am going to give the score another try I probably should watch the movie again!
The bookends are the modern-day sequences with (the guy playing) "MATT. DAMON."
(embarrassed) Luckily the movie's on Starz, because it's obvious I've been decades since seeing it. All I remember is the blood and guts, the rest honestly kind of went by me. A big disappointment to me at the time (I think he did War of the Worlds a bit later and made up for it lol!).
Basically this was supposed to be a digital and vinyl only release. We convinced UMG to let us do the vinyl, due this Fall, on one condition -- we get to do the CD as well. There is really nothing to add, less than 2 minutes, but it gave us the opportunity to have Mike write the notes and Jim do the artwork to one of the finest films in the past 20 years...to allow us to give this modern classic the deluxe package it deserves. We are honored to be releasing this score and we hope you enjoy its presentation.
Basically this was supposed to be a digital and vinyl only release. We convinced UMG to let us do the vinyl, due this Fall, on one condition -- we get to do the CD as well. There is really nothing to add, less than 2 minutes, but it gave us the opportunity to have Mike write the notes and Jim do the artwork to one of the finest films in the past 20 years...to allow us to give this modern classic the deluxe package it deserves. We are honored to be releasing this score and we hope you enjoy its presentation.
Basically this was supposed to be a digital and vinyl only release. We convinced UMG to let us do the vinyl, due this Fall, on one condition -- we get to do the CD as well. There is really nothing to add, less than 2 minutes, but it gave us the opportunity to have Mike write the notes and Jim do the artwork to one of the finest films in the past 20 years...to allow us to give this modern classic the deluxe package it deserves. We are honored to be releasing this score and we hope you enjoy its presentation.
Hopefully “masterfully” remastered as well?!?
Not remastered at all. Mr Williams, Mike Matessino and Neil Bulk all agreed the master was fine as is, so no need to remaster anything.
