Search - Brian Tyler :: Dragonball: Evolution [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Gohan's Special Gift

mikey mike | 03/23/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Eons ago when the world was still being formed my younger self used to watch DBZ on Toonami. The music in the show was incredibly forgettable. I dare anyone that used to watch that show to hum a tune from anything in the show. The end credits had great music but that was about it. Now Brian Tyler steps in to give it a proper musical identity for the live action movie and it's a pretty good outing. No home run but still good



The main theme of the movie gets a lot of mileage on the album and one can't complain about that since it's a very nice albeit familiar theme. There are several very well performed versions of it scattered through out the album ranging from action to delicate and beautiful. It is a great theme and it's nice to hear it often, although I would have liked for it to evolve as the music went along but it's fine where it is.



There is a second theme on there that's played not as much but I can't figure out who that theme is for. Maybe it's a theme for the Dragonballs or the Journey or whatever. It's not as interesting as the main theme but it's nice to have diversity. Not having seen the movie I can't comment on why Piccolo doesn't have a theme but it would have been funny to have an actual piccolo play his melody. :)



The action writing is classic Tyler action music, though it doesn't have as much electronics as his previous works does. Other than "Chasing Dragonballs" and "Body Work" don't expect to hear Tyler playing the guitar or his drum set a lot on this one, it's largely orchestral and choir. It's not as robust or as entertaining as his action writing in something like that "Canamar" episode of "Star Trek" he did but it's okay.



I do have to say that the comparisons between Tyler and Zimmer is a bit confusing to me though. I understand he has that "style" or whatever that's popular with Zimmer and his boys but they are two completely different beasts. I'd compare Tyler with Powell and Debney more than Zimmer but hey different people hear different things so if people want to compare the two composers then knock yourselves out.



It's a well done score but not anything jaw dropping or wholly original from a composer that's capable of a lot more. Would have wished for most portions not to be so generic but it's still a nice listen and has a really memorable theme. Hopefully if there's a sequel the theme will be back and evolve with the characters



Recommended"