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Max Payne
has made his transition from the video game format to the big screen, and
though it was a movie panned by critics, one can't dismiss the style points
the production garnered. On board to compose the score for the film was
Marco Beltrami and
Buck Sanders, the latter a composer who has collaborated with Marco on
previous projects and handled the key electronic influences of this score.
Released by La-La Land Records, the soundtracks offers 17 tracks and over 44
minutes of music, a fair amount of content and just enough to make it worth
the purchase (I feel any score under 40 minutes should not be released or
should be offered at a discounted price).
So often,
a score for a movie such as this can offer ambiguous, synthesized background
music in an effort to provide a "modernized" sound. To my relief, the
direction of the Max Payne
soundtrack differed from such an approach and offered a specific, noir style
music with an edge. In short, this score had its own, original style to it.
The music offers a unique blend of electronic styles and traditional
orchestral instruments that come together to forge an interesting brand of
music.
It's
easy to hear the collaborative voice behind the writing of Beltrami and
Sanders. While there are plenty of instances in which the gritty nature of
the story translated through in the notes, there were also a few moments of
surprisingly effective emotional statements or motifs that stood out. Going
into this, I didn't quite expect any tracks with significant emotional
relevance but I was wrong; there is indeed a dramatic touch in the material,
mostly associated with the loss that Max copes with.
Another
cool vibe that the score offers are the rugged beats that pop up on occasion
during the album. What I enjoyed most about these electronic renditions was
the originality behind it... these notes didn't sound like generic stock
samples from an electronic library at all. Working hand in hand with the
orchestral textures, the synth instrumentation converged with live
instruments to create a highly stylized canvas of modern noir music. Gritty,
cool and hip, I'd say!
The
running time for this particular score is perfect. Had this album played on
past the 50 minute mark or so, then I think we would have had diminished
returns. Instead, this is a perfect little package that will keep you
interested and entertained and it's a score that I will return to every once
in a while to listen to again. Always nice to come away from an album with
repeat value intact!
So,
get your hands dirty with this gritty gem - May Payne is a score that
creates its own world of style that's easy to get lost in. Get in on this
one if you're down for a hip journey that also offers a few emotional
statements along the way. This one's a solid pick. |
