Search - Don Davis :: Matrix Revolutions

Don Davis' Matrix Masterwork

Daniel | Portland, OR | 11/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now the third piece in an outstanding body of work, Don Davis (with a little help from Juno Reactor) has constructed a golden, dynamic symphony. The amazing talent and technical ability that this work demonstrates is astounding. Instead of tired, endless themes (a la John Williams), Davis gives us exquisitely beautiful constructs, where instruments rotate and cascade and pour over each other into a delicate tapestry. The only way to experience it is to listen to it -- words can't do it justice.The "Main Title," "Niobe's Run," "Neodammerung" and "Navras" are standouts. If you're into something innovative, unique and beautiful in the world of Neo-Classical music, look no futher.* And to those out there who have complaints and are confused about this 95% score album-- TRY READING THE BACK OF A CD BEFORE YOU BUY IT. The track and artist listing is there for a reason.Don't recognize a "fellow named Don" ? Then skip this and check out another typically pop-inflected soundtrack. There are hundres of albums out there with music "INSPIRED BY," but having nothing to do with, the film. Don't be an idiot and expect something that isn't even presented as such.Film soundtracks aren't always just a collection of random songs-- most times, they're a celebration of a modern interpretation of classical music. Also, when you see a movie whose soundtrack you might purchase -- LISTEN TO THE MUSIC DURING THE MOVIE! Then you won't be so shocked.THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS score, like RELOADED and MATRIX before it, is a classic. Check it out if you have the balls and the brains to accept, understand, and experience."

Two words: "apocalyptic" and "stentorian"

Scott Sweet | Colorado Springs, CO | 11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's get the geekery out of the way:The film doesn't provide as much of an ending as I had hoped. Just like "Reloaded," the events (and everything The Oracle says) will make more sense with repeat viewing when the DVD comes out. I miss the rush, the newness of bullet-time days.As for the score:
Thank God they stuck to film music this time! ENOUGH with Top 40 collections that do not relate to (or even appear in) movies. Don Davis' music has gotten a little bigger, a little "grander" with each episode. For this finale, the score is truly huge. Juno Reactor's collaboration fits perfectly, especially on the last track. This stuff is Wagnerian, full of Sanskrit choir and end-of-the-world crescendos.Davis fits the music to the scenes. The "real world" music ("Men in Metal," "Niobe's Run," "Moribund Mifune") has a military thrust, appropriate to the "Saving Private Zion" battle. Inside The Matrix ("The Trainman Cometh" and "Tetsujin"), there's a more chaotic, techno style. The second half of the album blows me away. Exaltant choir, mad swirls of strings and flutes, sledgehammer percussion, and wall-to-wall horn blasts. This music is more epic than the looooong Gilgamesh-inspired showdown between Neo and Smith. "Trinity Definitely" has a tragic beauty much like that of Anton Dvorak's "Largo" (from "The New World"). "Neodammerung" sounds like a world war. "Why, Mr. Anderson?" sounds like that world gettin' blowed up real good.Juno Reactor comes back for the closing "Navras." You've got orchestra, choir, New Age wailing and techno all in one big dance track.The CD is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Crank it up."

Breathtaking

Ian | USA | 01/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While opinions on the movie of the same name are all over the map, one thing everyone agrees on is the incredible musical score to "The Matrix Revolutions" (warning: This review contains spoilers to the movie, so read with caution)



The Matrix Revolutions main title: The always haunting musical opening to the movie. Very good



The trainman cometh: Starts off gentle and happy, with Neo talking to Sati and her family. Calm, relaxing music plays while they talk, before beats start to come in, transfering to a frantic chase that goes along at breakneck speed in a fast beat.



Tetsujin: A quiet start with a foreboding Asian beat hints that its not all fun and games here. After a quick Asian beat down, we get some quiet harp and bean shakers. And then it's an all out war as electronic beats pulse while our heroes blast the oposition to smithereens.



In my Head: The only song on this track (thank goodness), this is actually quite catchy. I'll never be a fan of rock n roll, but this track is quite fun. Heavy on electronic insturments and only mild vocals, its a memorable song.



The road to sourceville: A quiet start shattered by a fast vocal, followed by quiet happy music as Neo is reunited with Trinity, then slow atmosphere while they visit the oracle for the last time.



Men in Metal: As the battle draws ever nearer, the war insturments (drums and such) begin to play as the soldiers prepare for the inevitable battle. A rousing speach gives them strength. This track is heavy on preparation music, and uses it well.



Niobies run: Quiet and atmospheric as Niobie and the others head closer to the tunnel, the music indicating the uneasiness as they try to slip past the sentinels. But of course they get spotted. Then its an all out frantic race as they zoom deep into the earth to try and escape with thier lives. In the Zion dock there's a few seconds of final preparation before the grim fighting begins. This track is heavy on "race for your life!" music.



Woman can drive: Things get desperate as the battle to save Zion continues. Niobie struggles to pilot the hammer to safety while being attacked non-stop. This track features more frantic racing and fighting music with drum beats.



Morbid Mifune: Pure war. This track excellently captures the horror and the hopelessness of the dock battle. The humans are doomed, but they keep fighting. With quick military beats and haunting vocals, this is a standout track. My favorite moment begins when the music is loud and filled with military beats as we see Mifune fighting for his life. As the kid tries to get ammo to him, the music truly shows how hopeless everything is, while also showing the will to keep fighting and not give up. A quiet military beat follows with the death of Mifune.



Kidfried: Thundering blasts as the Hammer closes in on Zion, followed by haunting vocals, and a standout moment where the Hammer zooms into Zion, where the music is heavy and quick and the vocals compete with quick beats as the end of the frantic race is in sight. Then all is quiet and calm as the first battle is won.



Saw B***h workhorse (what an odd name): The gloom of the real world shows itself as Neo and Trinity head towards the machine city. When they reach it's borders, heavy beats and ominous vocals give the feeling on huge bemoths guarding its borders. Yet hope remains among the chaos as we witness the wonder of Neo's power. A strong and gloomy (yet hopeful) track.



Trinity definitly: Out of all the tracks in all the matrix movies, this one stands out among the others. Its a pure musical track, with no electronic enhancments, no fancy beats, nothing. It's simply sad, quiet orchestra music. As Trinity lies dying within the Logos, Don Davis does a standout job of conveying the sadness of her death. I actually cried a little when I first heard this one because it's so sad, yet at the same time, dignified. It has an identity all its own because its so different from the music we've heard before. A standout track.



Neodammerung: If there was ever a contest to determine the best one on one fight music ever made, this would be in the top three. It's the apacolypse mixed in with heavy dramatic beats as two foes fight to the death, each carrying incredible power. You can really feel the dramatic wieght contanined within each beat as Neo and Smith face each other for the final time. The haunting vocals adds so much to the experience that its impossible to imagine the music withought them. When the two take to the skies, the music increases in drama and epic scope as the two fight high above the ground. Then theres the final moment where the two head straight towards each other, readying for the final blow that will determine the fight. I get goosebumps every time I hear it.



Why Mr. Anderson?: As Smith stands over the beaten Neo, he asks him why he does it. The music is sad and curious. The end is near. We can feel that Neo is beaten and how exhausted he is. A final brief fight commences before Smiths raw power and fury shows itself through quick and hard beats. Then the music swells in triumph as Smith is finally defeated before quietly drifting into nothing as "it is done"



Spirit of the universe: Happiness is mingled with sadness in this track. Everything is happy, yet the sad vocals appear when Neo's body is taken away. Then the music slowly swells upwards as the end arrives. Everything is over and finished. Then the music finally swells one last time as the sun rises in a big happy moment.



Navras: Fantastic vocals (male and female) really define this track as just about every insturment comes into play here. Drums, australian digery doos, pianos, electronic beats, and flute music comes into play for one grand finale of music. Truley stunning, and tied with Neodammerung as best track on the CD.



In my humble opinion, the third matrix movie has the best music of the entire trilogy. It's hard edgy no-nonsense action music, untainted by unnecessary songs. It's all insturmental and hard hitting, making it a truley magnificant soundtrack that I listen to almost everyday. A truly worthy buy."