Search - David Arnold :: 007 Casino Royale

Brooding and Subtly Powerful James Bond Score

gobirds2 | New England | 11/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is David Arnold's fourth James Bond soundtrack and perhaps his best to date. One can only appreciate this score after seeing the film. It is brooding and subtly powerful and shrewdly and methodically relies on flirting references to the James Bond Theme and the film's main title song throughout. This is a departure for Arnold's brilliant TOMORROW NEVER DIES score, which fell back on the traditional tried and true sound that John Barry had established and simultaneously brought James Bond up to date with the composer's own style, and his overly techno synthesized score for DIE ANOTHER DAY. There are haunting and pensive passages throughout this rich soundtrack underscoring Bond's complex nature in this film.



Chris Cornell's performance of the main title song is sorely absent from this CD. Initially I did not like this song at all. After seeing the film I found that it really works and gives the film the edge it needs to bring in a new style of Bond movie. The catchy melody is actually very good and the song has a raw drive that works on its own. I think it is the best Bond song since a-ha's THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. I am not sure why it is not on the CD. It is very disappointing to have left this song off this soundtrack."

Impressionistic and Important James Bond Soundtrack

Algonquin | 11/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This James Bond soundtrack is different in many ways from the 20 that preceded it. The differences go beyond the fact that the main title song is absent from this album. There is no melody performed in its entirety on any of the tracks with the exception of the James Bond Theme on the final track. This soundtrack is the result of going against the formula. It is a moody work interspersed with outbursts of action scoring interlaced with fragments of the main title and elusive references to the James Bond theme. It is a highly impressionistic work and an important one. This will go do down as one of the most important soundtracks, and perhaps not a very popular one, for being truthful to the job of scoring the film. David Arnold mentioned in some of his commentaries that he has fallen back on the James Bond theme when it seemed appropriate, and quite often, in his three previous Bond scores. He departs from that approach here and scores the measure of the man, a man who solidifies his resolve in the finale of CASINO ROYALE. This soundtrack is exceptional and the more it is played the more layers of its great depth are uncovered.

"

A Personal and Dark Outstanding James Bond Soundtrack

H TERESA K | 11/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With CASINO ROYALE a very atmospheric score is realized. Once you see the film it all makes sense. David Arnold gives us an unconventional Bond score and a daring soundtrack at that. This soundtrack is very emotionally inspired and frankly is outstanding. This proves that the much despised, in some circles, Eric Serra was in fact out of touch with the director's intent with his GOLDENEYE score. Interestingly CASINO ROYALE has the same director. Here, Arnold delivers what was trying to be achieved musically in GOLDENEYE. I would have liked the Chris Cornell song on this CD, but it was not included upon his wishes from what I have read. Thus, this soundtrack remains David Arnold's crowning achievement."