Hannibal

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In recent history there have been good collaborations between composer and director, and one formula that seems to work with high prosperity these days is found between acclaimed director Ridley Scott and acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer. Their success of Gladiator boosted them both to high ground and Academy considerations have opened the door to recognition. Hannibal, their latest collaboration could do this again but I feel that the movie lacks complete interest and full thrill. Zimmer however tackled this project with more then professionalism, the score became the classical dark masterpiece that people don't often associate with someone like Hans Zimmer. Hannibal offers exactly deep emotion and tries to restore what the movie forgot to bring, the thrilling sensation.

The score can be called and registered as an interesting approach on it's own, it is really interesting that the score builds and constructs the tension and thrilling mystery that the film barely possessed. The score delivers some amazing yet scary sound effects, 'The Capponi Library' and 'Firenze di Notte' deliver their part as also pieces of 'Let my Home be my Gallows' and basically the last seconds of the soundtrack. Zimmer puts so much emotion into his score that Hannibal becomes a rather emotional love score. This all feels quite classical and the singing of the choir confirms and states this clearly as possible. The main thrilling build up is discovered in the ten minute 'Let my Home be my Gallows' were both Anthony Hopkins and Zimmer's music start to bring a really interesting piece of score. The actual dialogue doesn't interrupt one bit. Zimmer has carefully chosen the dialogue himself and putted it were it belonged, it actually fits amazingly and adds more emotion and depth to the entire construction (of course present the score without dialogue and I would never want to listen to the one with the dialogue, I'm not stupid you know). The actual first rate performance has to be given to the Libera Boys Choir, they bring purely enchanting and impressive emotion. More, they bring the score of Zimmer to new levels and open unseen doors of pure integrity.

With Hannibal you receive an extremely mature soundtrack and work. You can clearly see that Ridley Scott offered the time needed to construct a classical masterpiece, that controlled the movie's main character so well. Zimmer can deliver an amazing piece of music when he receives carte blanch and several directions to leap forward at. The score offers moody background, dark but colorful emotional moments and several classical re workings. It feels classical but this piece delivers something that I didn't expect in the first place, a true emotional love. This captured inside the very strong musical performances of both the choir and orchestra, also the music is composed and performed with great class and style. However it isn't my most captivating genre and it will only capture my fullest interest on certain occasions. Hannibal shows integrity, pure classical emotion and will offer a wider palette of colors for a lot of fans. It remains a true moodsetter in my eyes but the right occasion will deliver the pure intentions and the key musical shivers that I missed when I saw the movie. I'm at least glad that the decency and intriguing integrity came of Hans Zimmer's score.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Dear Clarice * (6.02)

2. Aria Da Capo + (1.48)

3. The Capponi Library (1.14)

4. Gourmet Valse Tartare ** (6.50)

5. Avarice (3.54) Excellent Track

6. For A Small Stipend (0.55)

7. Firenze Di Notte ++ (3.09)

8. Virtue (4.37)

9. Let My Home Be My Gallows * (10.00) Excellent Track

10. The Burning Heart * (4.23)

11. To Every Captive Soul (6.54) Excellent Track

12. Vide Cor Meum *** (4.20) Excellent Track

* Featuring Sir Anthony Hopkins' dialogue

+ Written by Johann Sebastian Bach, From Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

** Written by Klaus Badelt

++ Written by Martin Tillman and Mel Wesson

*** Written by Patrick Cassidy, Libretto from Dante's "La Vita Nuova"

Total Length: 54.15

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Hans Zimmer ===