Iron Will

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In his entire career, Joel McNeely really didn't stand the test of time. He is yet to make a name for himself like many people thought he would make. Obviously McNeely has got the potential to become a great composer and solely his ability to take charge of his orchestra is impressive. Virus and before that Shadows of the Empire proved to fulfil this statement, which were obviously an enjoyable score and a cracking bombastical fun score. Iron Will even before that is still one of the first soundtracks that took his career on the move. And I always repeat that I keep referring this film to the other in the genre, White Fang. And so I came to the conclusion that Iron Will perhaps would sound a bit like White Fang 2 by John Debney. This didn't make the listen less effective as it stands but Iron Will isn't still as memorable as say White Fang 2. It is nonetheless such a listen that gives you much fun during it, yet doesn't stay remembered after it. In a way I keep referring to it as what I got of a feeling when I listened to Doctor Who. During the score you know you had a great time hearing it, but it doesn't stay alive. Iron Will is simply that, fun during it and a listen of 30 minutes doesn't need to do much more than that.

What has also been said about Joel McNeely is that he takes John Williams in high esteem, since his sound of work is sometimes so close to that of the grand master. Simply listen to the first track for instance, a hoot but just something in the vein of Williams. 'Main Title' is simply for the begin almost a replica of the first track of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the bouncy comedic orchestral rush and so close to the moment where Indy is chased on the horse by the bandits, almost taking several ideas in vein for a big deal. The main theme is equally good and playful in the adventurous spirit it carries. This theme is repeated in many of the tracks, as equally a second theme which seemed to appear almost as much, but only in the way that you don't notice it like the main theme, 'The Final Day' is a track where they both appear equally as the first and last track. There are of course those excellent adventure pieces which rock because of their heavy brass accompaniment and are fun, really fun. 'The Race Begins' is good orchestrally and 'Crossing the Line' is what I call the best track, having almost for three minutes long fanfares of epic quality and brass work like only Williams would do in his heroic form. There are of course moments in this score that link itself with McNeely's work such as Virus ('Devil's Slide') or Return to NeverLand ('End Credits'), which in a way both carry strong orchestral presence.

In the end I have one thing to say. Even if these listens are short (30 minutes is short these days), don't carry a lot of new things and straight to the point (you easily enjoy it from the first listen), they are fun nonetheless. A piece where adventure rains and which favors good thematic material and an orchestra that takes itself for what it is, it is always welcome I say. Of course because of its rather short length it doesn't stay memorable after its listen, in the middle becomes even somewhat the same and there isn't much variation that can keep you on edge. McNeely's grandest fault is perhaps that he can't seem to make me a great fan of his work. I love his orchestral style but something tells me that I just can't really become hooked on what he does. Virus, Return to Never Land and now Iron Will are scores I easily enjoy during their initial listens but hardly stay in the mind for really long. Yet as a score itself and for the fun I get out of it, they would all receive a ***1/2, simply because I enjoy their presence as strong orchestral score, but as an end result they remain pleasant but that's it. Iron Will is simply an example of a score that remains fun for a reason, and that is because it is fun during it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (2.57)

2. Jack's Death (3.45)

3. Leaving Birch Ridge (2.29)

4. The Race Begins (2.10)

5. Pushing Onwards (1.48)

6. Gus Rescues Will (2.54)

7. Devil's Slide (2.23)

8. The Final Day (3.44)

9. Race To The Finish (2.23)

10. Crossing The Line (3.15) Excellent Track

11. End Credits (3.05)

Total Length: 31.04

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=== Link to Composer Site: Joel McNeely ===