Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

At the time (we are talking about '88), the movie was groundbreaking, covering for the one of the first times live animation on the screen with real actors in a very believable form. Now, it kinda lost its niche but hell not its flair and charm. It still remains a true piece of art and considering the success of the movie, there is word about a re release of the score by Alan Silvestri. So much word was there that perhaps a lot of people will be disappointed when they finally hear the effect drawn away from the visuals. Don't get me wrong, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a good score but it is more a score that suits the movie more then the release, even as the movie itself possesses undeniable charm. People heard the really good part and forgot that there is a lot of Mickey Mouse music, hidden behind all the pranks and easily heard during the tracks on this soundtrack. This makes the score not so groundbreaking on its own and even if The London Symphony Orchestra performed this score, they only shine when the powerful orchestral music is heard, which is frankly not a lot. I think a lot of people will find out that Who Framed Roger Rabbit isn't the classic score as it might sound during the movie.

Still, what to remember of this score? Well, there is a lot you can mention about it. First of all the jazz inspired theme for detective Valiant (excellent role of Bob Hoskins), which finds its way during the three most important tracks 'Valiant & Valiant', 'Eddie's Theme' and 'End Title'. The last track was probably heard during the compilation of CastAway and boom, the people were sold. Really, this is good music, covering a wide set of musical melodies but then you realize that Mickey Mouse (the music) is not discovered in those three tracks, so they are heard during the rest of it. 'Maroon Cartoon' is just that, cartoonish music with perhaps 15 seconds of powerful fanfares and the rest is exactly that animated fast pace music. Other themes are 'Judge Doom' with its wonderful dark nature and the sexy theme for the babe (hey, she remains a babe, animated or not) in 'Jessica's Theme'. The rest covers either the music presenting the various animated toons or accompanying them when they are running amok. 'The Weasels' and 'Toontown' are wonderful examples of this. If you want the more heroic / action fanfares you will probably see 'The Gag Factory' as an important side of the score, covering some (again) short but enjoyable moments of powerful gripping music. And last but not least, we have the songs such as the comedic (with sound effects) 'Hungarian Rhapsody' (the piano fight between Daffy Duck and Donald Duck which is hilarious), the sleazy song 'Why Don't you do Right?' which is performed by Amy Irving and 'Smile Darn ya Smile / That's all Folks' which is a light bouncy tune.

Overall, no more than others, this score can show the true versatility of composer Alan Silvestri. Because in his career, he was walked several paths and one he didn't score often was fast paced animation music with a dash of emotional real human flair in it. And considering its nature, the score is a piece of art on screen, covering all the right buttons. But then you encounter the score outside its natural habitat and you frankly are surprised to encounter such wild difference in expectation and reality. Who Framed Roger Rabbit becomes through this a not so easy listen, with perhaps too few a real highlight of score (one lasting several minutes long though). So, I'm wondering what people will say if they finally hear the score outside the movie? Will they then be screaming of praise like they did when wanting it re released? Its not because it is a bad score but more because it is music needing its guidance line on screen to really work. Just like Space Jam and other animated scores in its genre. That all Folks!

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Maroon Logo * (0.19)

2. Maroon Cartoon * (3.25)

3. Valiant & Valiant * (4.22)

4. The Weasels * (2.08)

5. Hungarian Rhapsody (1.53)

6. Judge Doom * (3.47)

7. Why Don't You Do Right? + (3.07)

8. No Justice For Toons * (2.45)

9. The Merry - Go - Round Broke Down (Roger's Song) (0.47)

10. Jessica's Theme * (2.03)

11. Toontown * (4.44)

12. Eddie's Theme * (5.22)

13. The Gag Factory * (3.49)

14. The Will * (1.10)

15. Smile Darn Ya Smile / That's All Folks (1.17)

16. End Title * (5.02)

* Soundtrack composed by Alan Silvestri

+ Vocal performance by Amy Irving

Total Length: 46.01

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Alan Silvestri ===