ScreenSounds

Dedicated to reviews and news of music for film, TV and games

Thursday, July 15, 2010

CHRISTOPHER LENNERTZ SCORES CATS AND DOGS 2: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE


It's been nine years since the enjoyable CGI romp Cats and Dogs hit our screens, pitting the canine and feline characters against one another in something of a spy film spoof. As to why it's taken so long for a sequel to appear, I know not, but forthcoming is Cats and Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which is part of a double bill, along with a new Looney Tunes 3-D short, Coyote Falls.
Marmaduke composer Christopher Lennertz is scoring both and, in fact, Warner Bros. have commissioned the composer to score all three of their forthcoming 3-D Looney Tunes shorts, aiming to reintroduce the brand to a new generation of audiences.
Being owner of a cat (Loca) and Dalmation (Miles Davis), Lennertz was very familiar with the very different character traits of the two species and could therefore draw on his experiences when writing the score for Cats and Dogs 2. I'm also pleased to say that, like Michael Giacchino's score for The Incredibles, his music pays homage to the likes of John Barry, Lalo Schifrin and Henry Mancini, all of course famous for their work in the spy genre. Lennertz of course has himself worked on a couple of James Bond game scores, so he's no stranger to the genre either.
The composer's publicists, Costa Communications, kindly sent me a CD of his score, which runs for some 31 minutes and would make for a somewhat brief, but entertaining album though sadly, to date, I only know of one track "Concerto for Claws and Orchestra" that will feature on the WaterTower Music soundtrack release, available on CD and as a digital download on July 27th.
Lennertz's music for the film is fully orchestral and standout tracks for me include "Dog HQ" which, after a big opening, grooves along nicely, complete with Bond-like brassy outbursts; the Schifrinesque intrigue of "Coit Tower;" the exciting and sometimes wonderfully groovy action of "Kitty Litter Trap;" "Ferry Fight;" "Meows;" "Assault Cats Cradle;" "Call of the Wild;" the choir-enhanced "Termination," who are first heard from in the menacing "Tank of Doom;" and "Amazing Finish;" as well as the poignant yet beautiful flute-lead "In Between Homes."
The penultimate "A New Home" provides a satisfying calm after the storm, with "New Mission" ending the score on a groovy note.
You can pretty much depend on Christopher Lennertz and if you enjoyed the score for The Incredibles, chances are you'll like this one too, as it's very much cut from the same cloth. If the film's as fun as the music, it should be worth a look.

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