Shrek

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In '98 the world was shocked when Harry and John mixed their brains together to create Antz, '2000 was no different and Chicken Run stands today probably as one of the best scores ever composed. So why would people not scream months after each other to get that third installment in their houses. Shrek was a big success at the cinema and since several months there was only a song album release of the music. The movie as some people know was filled with tons of them and the musical release had just one score track at offer. Varčse Sarabande heard the cry and put the fan out of their misery when they announced the release of Shrek, the original score of Harry Gregson - Williams and John Powell. The date was set and the fans couldn't wait anymore, until that special day ... The day they received that package containing the Shrek release. Anyway it was that feeling I had when I received it and with all of my expectations I came to one conclusion. It was good, it had the highlights and after the film it gave me the spirit, but no way was this a second Chicken Run, no way a different Antz and Shrek with all the hoopla remained the third choice in the line of collaborated efforts between Harry and John.

But don't get me mistaken, Shrek is still very good but there are some moments that simply don't connect. First of all it is the various short length of several tracks that keeps destroying the magic the score is trying to take hold off and secondly it are the various short songs. While funny in and out of their context they don't really mingle well with the composed score, at least not to create this amazing listening experience. Ah well, this is one of its production flaws which we cannot blame Varčse for (heck we should thank them for the rest of our life) but one thing still concerns me and that is the overall quality of the score. Harry and John are amazing composers and put them together and you have twice the fun but it isn't that good as the other two in the list. Still, we have our gems right here with us: 'Fairytale' and 'Ogre Hunters / Fairytale Deathcamp' has enough magic to start this score on the right note and the choral back up always works in these situations. But the more you hear the tracks, you start to think how much this score listens as Chicken Run. In fact it has some trademarks that start to spot themselves more with each moment, in that case Chicken Run is still the cream of the crop.

'Uninvited Guests' has some spectacular use of magical fantasy and a good deviant march with dark choral menace and organ sounds is all what epitomizes little 'March of Farquuad', both the track time as his height. The comical entries like 'Welcome to Duloc', 'Singing Princess' with an exploding finale and 'Merry Men' isn't bad and they are placed in order like they are witnessed in the movie but somewhat interrupt the flow. What especially kicks gigantic heights is the main heroic theme of Shrek himself, the James Bond look a like in the energetic (what else) 'Escape from the Dragon' and 'Ride the Dragon' with its sensational choral performance, sadly not mixed well during the movie, in fact you hardly could hear the choir at all. And finally 'Transformation / The End' is a good old magical finale with a choral magic way up there with the best of them fantasy tales. But as much as I appreciate the good things, Shrek is still the weakest of the three. And usually I should be happy with it but this makes it somewhat disappointing. Sad but do not cry anymore, because the good parts are finally at our disposal and Varčse Sarabande has given us a great Christmas present to enjoy in 2002. In the end I can only say "Thank you Varčse".

\ľľľ1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Fairytale (1.26)

2. Ogre Hunters / Fairytale Deathcamp (1.35)

3. Donkey Meets Shrek (2.37)

4. Eating Alone (1.17)

5. Uninvited Guests (2.09)

6. March Of Farquuad (0.38)

7. The Perfect King (1.17)

8. Welcome To Duloc (0.34)

9. Tournament Speech (0.51)

10. What Kind Of Quest (2.22)

11. Dragon! / Fiona Awakens (2.06)

12. One Of A Kind Knight (1.19)

13. Saving Donkey's Ass (0.43)

14. Escape From The Dragon (1.58) Excellent Track

15. Helmet Hair (2.08)

16. Delivery Boy Shrek / Making Camp (0.47)

17. Friends Journey To Duloc (2.42)

18. Starry Night (0.58)

19. Singing Princess (1.35)

20. Better Out Than In / Sunflower / I'll Tell Him (2.10)

21. Merry Men (0.43)

22. Fiona Kicks Ass (0.28)

23. Fiona's Secret (3.02)

24. Why Wait To Be Wed / You Though Wrong (1.58)

25. Ride The Dragon (1.36) Excellent Track

26. I Object (1.51)

27. Transformation / The End (3.26) Excellent Track

Total Length: 44.30

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=== Link to Composer Sites: Harry Gregson - Williams & John Powell ===