Komodo (Bootleg)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

I guess its fair to expect something of a John Debney score, whether released or unreleased by nature. And the truth is, I expected something from Komodo, your unlike Disney affair of little Dinosaurs (seem to be T-Rexes) doing what on earth to the people that want to be eaten. Frankly, a lot of people passed this movie up, which makes also the score a bootleg to be forgotten, and Komodo is just that. For the fans of Debney perhaps a little bit intriguing but for the most, you would ask the question like any other, what to expect of an affair like this? Well, the truth is that this score doesn't pack the punch nor the sound I wanted, because frankly this score is too soft for me. Sounds weird but its exactly that, soft, moody and occasionally ripping the rhythm but then in a manner that it sounds less thrilling then it actually should be. The truth, barely the louder pieces are remembered, the moody ones ignored and forgotten and the soft emotional like pieces are even the best of them all. Komodo in that case doesn't spoil the listener. At 70 minutes you get enough material for your buck, but not the quality in return. At times, the music reminds you of a different Debney score, mainly The Relic which is understandable considering the nature of the beast(s), but only in minor ways since The Relic had much more orchestral ruckus and power behind its orchestrations, and Komodo is lacking that most of the times. 'The Dragon's Isle' is now a track where The Relic comes to mind, the ethnic whooshes and light choir make way for a pounding percussion rhythm, sampled strings and a tone (foreboding) that sounds ala The Relic. This track considering things is one of the better, because of that influence of The Relic, the rest doesn't quite follow that. The moody mystery concerning 'The Eggs', 'Lizard Hunt' (where you would expect a thrilling action piece but don't get it) and 'An old Friend' are just some examples of basic moody underscore that don't help the beginning of this score one bit.

Where the score gets some better points is where the melody works softly in its more emotional touch, like 'Summer House' where strings and piano create more upbeat material, still turning dark near the end. Also the more emotional fare like 'Bogue Sound', main theme of track 1 nicely played and 'Uneasy Return' all feature more approachable sound. The piano also occasionally joins that lighter nature (13 and 20) but more its the moody dark approach that runs the entire score's sound. The more horror action rhythm in 'Into the Hole' isn't terribly exciting but at least it is noticed in the end, the chase feel with licks of The Relic is found in 'Backseat Diner' but includes besides the rhythm the more typical horror stops and goes. Shrieking violins ala Alien 3 in 'The Watcher' is what's noticed about that track while the pure X-Files opening is for 'A Man with Serious Problems'. The mysterious touch with light choir is nonetheless perfect for 'Victoria's Promise' and helps the material near the end more and more. A Fugitive (Newton Howard) tone is then heard in 'Laundry Room' while the blasting horns ala I know What you Did last Summer make 'This is not Happening' much more convincing with its strong rhythm and pace. Almost Jaws like moves in 'The Komodo gets Stoned' is noticed further while the main theme is heard in a more powerful march with added horns to enjoy in 'Oates comes Through'. Electric guitar of the main theme in 'Never Better' actually sounds cool too. True, the ending is more enjoyable then the begin but basically too much forgettable music is heard on 1 disc. Komodo should have been shorter and then still, it would have been an affair to like because of its mood, weak orchestral touch as light thrilling pace. Komodo shouldn't have been Cutthroat Island, but The Relic or even I know what you Did last Summer had more orchestral frenzy to offer, making Komodo a somewhat forgettable affair on the whole, and is only advised to those that liked it in the film as the die hard Debney followers.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Dragon Isle (2.57)

2. The Eggs (1.25)

3. Summer House (4.06)

4. Lizard Hunt (2.24)

5. The First Attack (2.19)

6. Bye Bye Buster (1.39)

7. Bogue Sound (1.32)

8. An Old Friend (0.56)

9. Company Chopper (0.39)

10. Uneasy Return (2.47)

11. Stains (0.34)

12. A Piece Of Twine (2.04)

13. Noises And Shadows (2.54)

14. Into The Hole (4.53)

15. Backseat Diner (3.42)

16. Heart Of The Beast (3.20)

17. The Watcher (0.59)

18. They Don't Stop (2.04)

19. What Komodos Eat (1.11)

20. Victoria's Promise (1.46)

21. A Man With Serious Problems (1.56)

22. Laundry Room (2.56)

23. Losses (2.25)

24. The Swamp (5.11)

25. This Is Not Happening (3.22)

26. Blasted (0.22)

27. The Komodo Gets Stoned (3.42)

28. Oates Comes Through (2.57)

29. Never Better (2.09)

Total Length: 69.23

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

=== Link to Composer Site: John Debney ===