The Mask of Zorro
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Composer: James Horner
Total Time: 74:46 Availability: **** Rating: ***** |
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After the rather disappointing score of "Deep Impact", James Horner comes up with this tongue-in-cheek, action packed score. Before the release of this score, some people were afraid that James Horner would not add enough Spanish flavor to the score. It turns out there is nothing to worry. The sounds of Spanish guitar, clapping, tapping are all over this score. Also, they all blend well with Horner's symphonic style. I especially enjoy the Spanish trumpet and horn lines of the score. This score has a lot of places that are similar to his early epic score Willow. I think the phrase "Spanish Willow" is the best description to this score. Although the main theme is no Willow's theme, but it is beautiful. The Zorro's theme is actually the love theme of the score. The theme is also arranged as a song and presented at the end of the album. The song, by the way, is very enjoyable too. I especially enjoy the sound effects and the symphonic arrangements of it. Besides the love theme (main theme), there is also another rousing action theme. Its melodic line is usually played by horns and trumpets. The darker moments of the score are where it is similar to Willow, especially the use of shakuhachi flute (can also be heard in Willow and Thunderheart). I enjoy almost single minute of this 74mins release. The 74mins will just fly by your ears. Not like Titanic and Deep Impact, they seem to be never-ending scores to me. Trust me, the Spanish stuffs in this score will blow you heart out. This score is certainly another highlight in Horner's career. | |
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