Search - Danny Elfman :: Men In Black: The Score

PUM-PUM-pum-pum..Oh, I was just humming the theme...

putayuflinch | Bangor Island | 06/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sorry, I was a little bit distracted by the main theme of M.I.B. Its rather catchy if you think about it. It starts out with those four deep cello notes then leads into something that is continuously amazing for one of the most innovative opening sequences I've seen in a long time (not counting "Catch Me if You Can", of course). "D's Memories/Chase" starts out mellow, with K's old partner reminiscing about being an agent of M.I.B., then the track speeds up and goes into full on action music, complete with synths, driving strings, and plenty of percussion."J Contemplates" is kind of a somber cue, it seems like very deep "I'm thinking about something very important" music, it ends with a rather strange look at Edgar. "The Suit" brings us to the registration process in the film, where K is deleting everything that everyone knows about James Edwards and now he becomes J. Big (not yet huge...) choral bursts accentuate the track and bring it to an abrupt stop. "Petit Mort" is the most somber track on the album. Taking up only a mere 1:42, this track evokes a sense of "Aww, poor baby". "K Reminisces" is a great track, perhaps my third favorite from the album (the first being the main theme and the second being the finale). Light guitar signifying K's melancholy while being separated from his wife give the already action packed score to a more emotional place.But, that was only a little bit of action. "Orion's Belt/Cat Stinger" is an amazing track. The opening 30 seconds are the second of Elfman's best full orchestra/full chorus writing in his career. The action just picks up from there. Employing full orchestra with extra emphasis on percussion, the next few tracks pound mercilessly through the speakers. "Noisy Cricket/Impending Trouble", "Sexy Morgue Babe/Icon" and "Take Off/Crash" are the included tracks. All the tracks, no matter what order you shuffle them in, will ultimately lead to one of, if not the best of Elfman's finales. The emotional portions of K's yearning are finally over as he is reunited with his wife in the end, now with J taking his place as the head honcho agent. It all comes together in a HUGE (this is it!) choral burst, along with crashing cymbals, full throttle orchestra, and a slight bit of synth, this has to be one of the best endings to a score that I've ever heard. Action, sorrow, yearning, comedy, and a few bits of slight scare here and there, this ranks high among Elfman's best. Now, just look into this red eye and you won't remember a thing, except to go buy this score."

Another marvelous score from Elfman!

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 09/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's not an excellent score when compared to Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, and Edward Scissorhands. But it is still a unique experience for its synthesized sounds and otherworldly melodies. I fell in love with the "Main Theme" in the first few seconds (it's probably one of Elfman's best themes alongside The Simpsons, Beetlejuice, and Batman). The rest of the score is absolutely brilliant; I cherish almost every moment I listen to it. I especially love the acoustic guitar theme (it kind of reminds me of a crescent moon over a barren wasteland). But anyway, this is a solid score from one of my favorite film composers."