CD REVIEW - WANTED


Wanted
Music by Danny Elfman
Lakeshore Records LKS 340212 (US)
15 Tracks 48:13 mins

This action-packed mix of stunts and CCGI, is apparently yet another film based upon a comic book, though not one that I've ever heard of. It stars Angelina Jolie as a beautiful assassin (who else could have played it?) and James McAvoy in a rare action role as the guy she has to train.
It's been a while since Danny Elfman wrote a score like this, but he did do a creditable job on the first Mission: Impossible film, so one could be fairly sure he would not let anyone down.
The album starts out with an original rock song, penned and performed by the composer himself, who of course used to be in a band before his transformation into film composer extraordinaire. It's quite a catchy, beat-driven number, which gets things off to a good start, and is followed by the purposeful "Success Montage," which has something of an eastern flavour about it, before picking up a techno rhythm. The flavour continues in "Fraternity Suite," with its subtle male choir giving an almost religious feel to proceedings.
Much of the music that follows is similarly purposeful, whether moving stealthily, or more in full-blown action style - largely orchestral, but with techno enhancements, and even electric guitars rock out in the exciting "Revenge." "Fox's Story" provides a change of pace however, a nostalgic, melancholy theme, with subtle female voice, but even this ends in a burst of action. The theme is expanded on later in the album in "Fox's Decision," where the female voice is more prominent and is joined by full choir, before reaching its crescendo.
When you add it all up, it's a pretty consistent and enjoyable action score, guaranteed to get your feet tapping and pulse pounding.