Elliot Goldenthal outdid himself with the epic score for this box-office bomb. A soaring, triumphant work brilliantly brought to life by
the London Symphony Orchestra,
Goldenthal's score surely would have received Oscar consideration if the film itself had performed better. Opening with an almost Wagner-ian tone,
Goldenthal weaves a complex tapestry of sound, utilizing some good old-fashioned chorus and brass fireworks along with more transcendent string passages. Many moments are (as
Goldenthal acknowledges in the liner notes) similar in style and texture to his work on Alien 3: modernist, dark, and percussion-heavy. But tracks like "Adagio and Transfiguration" simply bristle with bold orchestral writing, descending to a quiet, contemplative finish. Even the song written from
Goldenthal's main theme, "The Dream Within," comes off as one of the more successful attempts to duplicate the titanic success of other end title songs. This disc is a must for
Goldenthal, fans but will also reward those classical listeners who appreciate the textures of Gorecki. ~ Neil Shurley