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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Mostly it just doesn't work, Jun 27 2004
While I was watching the film, there were some spots that I thought the music went pretty well with what was on screen. However, most of the time I was wondering what the heck the composer was thinking. Near the end the score even turns into something you'd hear in a horror film rather than a drama. The score is just too all over the place. The main theme is also repeated way too much with basically no variation at all. I didn't know Eastwood scored it until I came hear to see who scored it. I did like the film a lot. I just think Eastwood should stick to directing.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
You've got to be kidding!, Mar 8 2004
I limit my comments here only to those tracks composed by Clint Eastwood, a good actor, a terrific director, but alas, a terrible composer. Never have I heard as poor a soundtrack to as good a movie as Mystic River. Throughout the movie my wife and I were both wondering who had written the music--we're both musicians and we tend to notice soundtracks. Neither of us had seen a composer credit, and when she asked me I hazarded a guess based on its completely primitive nature. "I wonder if Eastwood did it himself," and of course I was proved right. His music to Mystic River is based on a single four note idea, and it's not a very good idea at that, sounding like part of the second phrase of "Here Comes the Bride". Unfortunately, as with far too many self taught composers, Eastwood has no idea what to do with that motive, so he mostly repeats it ad nauseum. It's not that a soundtrack must be fast and exciting to be good, or that a soundtrack must have lots of different melodies--check out Hans Zimmer's soundtrack CD to The Last Samurai for an excellent example of a largely introspective work with limited themes. But for a soundtrack to work as anything but background music it's got to have some interest--melodic, harmonic, timbral, rhythmic, something...and Mystic River has none of that. I'd argue that it doesn't even make good background music, being disruptive of the film's action and incongruous at times. There are so many truly excellent composers working in Hollywood these days. For his next film I hope Eastwood hires Danny Elfman, Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, or John Williams rather than wallowing in self-indulgence. Would it make sense to get one of those guys to star as Dirty Harry?
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Escape from the Wolves..., Jun 14 2004
The original motion picture soundtrack of "Mystic River" is a haunting and beautiful score full of happiness and sadness. It has sorrow and joy. Anger and redemption. If you've already seen the movie, then you know how effective this score can be. Composed by none other than Clint Eastwood, this makes a soothing and dark listen.The Boston Orchestra does a marvelous job of capturing the mood and the total essence of the film. They know when to hold back and when to be forceful with their instruments. I found them to be very relaxing and full of subtle tension at the same time. There is a definite theme that can be established throughout this score, as you'll hear certain patterns through a good majority of the tracks. As always, the people who will enjoy this the most are the people who have already seen the movie. I love to listen to scores because I get to relive the movie through them. Especially if they're something extremely memorable and hypnotic. I found this score to be both of that, although I will admit right now that it is most likely something that won't be playing non-stop in my stereo. It's nice to listen to it every now and then, though. It's just nothing that screams out to me, "Play me again! Play me again!" My favorite tracks are "abduction," "Jimmy's anguish," "orchestral variations #1 (and #2),"Dave's past," "Brendan's love of Katie," "the confrontation," "the resolution," and "the full heart." Here's a great pointer for you potential buyers. If you have not already purchased the DVD and you are curious about the score, spend a little extra dough and buy the 3 Disc Deluxe Edition of "Mystic River." The third disc is actually the audio CD of that very score. All of the same exact tracks are included that you can find on the score that is sold separately. That's what I did, and I'm glad that I spent a little more to buy the Deluxe Edition of the film. All in all, I think Clint Eastwood has done a great job of composing a solid score that does a great job of nailing the film's mood and tone. Again, this is mainly recommended to those who really loved the film, although people who love listening to great music composed by a great orchestra might want to check it out as well. The original motion picture soundtrack of "Mystic River" is a nice and haunting listen. -Michael Crane
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