Hans Zimmer
M:i-2 Mission Impossible 2
OST
HOLLYWOOD/edel 0109692HWR
[45.54]
Crotchet
Amazon
UK
Amazon
US
I always sympathise with composers writing for action films. In so many instances
they must feel frustrated that their creations are often inaudible below
all the clatter of the soundtrack and the limitations of the genre in only
admitting the required tension and torso-flexing thuds and thumps. (When
I saw the film I was hardly aware of Zimmer’s music beyond feeling some
bass thunderings) It takes great imagination and ingenuity to come up with
something different – or, indeed, original. They must therefore grasp
any passing straw; any opportunity offered by characterisation, humour or
location etc to bring some life and colour into their scores. It feels as
though Hans Zimmer is clinging to the straw of one or two early scenes set
in Seville in this sub-James Bond action thriller (sorry Mr Cruise but
that’s what it appears to be). These scenes clearly provided providing
the vibrant colour and rhythms of Spain that Australia, where most of the
film is located, conspicuously lacks? Not that I am complaining for these
‘Spanish’ cues far outshine many of the more dreary synth action
tracks. I hasten to add that one or two of these do exhibit some imagination,
even though they are once again show Mr Zimmer’s peculiar borrowings,
like the Carl Orff orientated ‘Bare Island’. But, at least, it
does have strength and a forceful forward impetus.
As Hans Zimmer explained in his interview with me, he had been working on
three scores in rapid succession (perhaps overlapping his projects), i.e.
The Gladiator, El Dorado and Mission Impossible 2. Zimmer
uses a smaller ensemble with about a dozen performers including Lisa Gerrard
doing her Arabian intoning thing again after some Rodrigo inspired Spanish
material,– I wonder if this was some extraneous Gladiator stuff? The
Rodrigo influence is more pronounced in the track curiously labelled, ‘Hans
Zimmer featuring Heitor Pereira "Nyah [Film Version]’ Other Spanish
numbers have the obligatory heel tapping and clapping, all very exciting.
In one outstanding track, ‘The Heist’, this Flamenco material segues
into a subtle statement of Lalo Schifrin’s original Mission
Impossible theme, leading into a classy catchy jazz/synth treatment.
The main treatment of Schifrin’s theme will make purists shudder though,
for once more it is subjected to a very upbeat heavy rock treatment. In the
final track after all the excitement, and the villain has bitten the dust,
there is more relaxed and romantic Spanish material for ‘Nyah and
Ethan’.
Reviewer
Ian Lace
Zara adds:
Overall a very atmospheric score, well assembled. The musicians’ blended
well together in the ‘Spanish’ music. I liked ‘Zap Mamo a
"Ika-Iko"’, especially with its rumba/samba rhythms. The more shadowy
material, heavily synth, was often very dynamic. The heavily percussive
‘Mano a Mano’ alternating with more poignant material was very
thrilling with some fantastic drumming. Very interesting rhythmic shifts
and patterns throughout. For the movie ****; as a listening experience
Reviewer
Zara
