Chicken Run

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

2000 will be remembered as the year of the funniest score ever, until that day others can throw their résumé on the market but Chicken Run still stands as one of the ultimate listens of sheer pleasure. I can't remember having so much fun with one simple listen, and people all over the world have reacted the same as I do now, Chicken Run is simply outstanding. It is again John Powell and Harry Gregson - Williams together that delivered this full blown roller coaster ride of amazing themes, energetic moments and truly inspiring film music minutes. They delivered it with Antz, but Chicken Run amplifies the entertainment factor tenfold, so be ready for its sheer amusement. Its hard not to sit still and simply boogey with everything that comes your way. If its now the inspired escape music or the jazzy feel overall, Chicken Run above anything else delivers you simply a fun hour. No less but simply more then you ever dreamed for. Chickens replace a colony of Antz but John Powell and Harry Gregson - Williams stay true to the same old strategy, if it sounds good then use it. And even a jazzy sound or a kazoo at the background can do miracles if you simply put a twist on it. It is the uniqueness of Chicken Run that simply inspires you to listen to it each time you want to.

And for 60 minutes it is all worth it, each second. It all begins with an escape worth remembering in 'Opening Escape' before the main theme explodes in pure heroism in 'Main Titles', a perfect start for a soundtrack like this. Next you have kazoos, jazz and even a Scottish bagpipe all mixed in 'Flight Training'. It might sound crazy but trust me, it all works and sounds perfect. And of course the insertion of the typical Media Ventures' choral accompaniment, both the dark as the more uplifting female chorus. Things start to become hectic and purely energetic in 'A Really Big Truck Arrives' and it delivers us the first full out blown sound, especially here we discover Harry Gregson - Williams trademarks of The Borrowers, also spotted in almost each track before. As you might discover, its really difficult to find highlights because each track is a highlight onto itself. But those worth remembering for their energized nature are first of all 'Into the Pie Machine', a typical Media Ventures creation. A lot of fun, exciting and so over the top that it gives you this energy unfelt before. And from that point on I thought, well, it just doesn't get any better then this. Wrong, then they deliver you the biggest sensation of the year 'Building the Crate', definitely the highlight for film music fans. That theme that kicks in after a time is unbelievably brilliant, it just let's you jump around in your room. But it isn't over, the same melody is repeated in full heroic pride in 'The Chickens are Revolting' and both 'Lift Off' and 'Escape to Paradise' offer us the cream of the crop with a dazzling end finale.

As you might have discovered by now, I adore this soundtrack. From the first minute to the last it is brilliant and even the inclusion of two songs (both heard in the movie) doesn't interrupt the fun of its listening pleasure. It simply puts a smile on your face. So what to remember of this score? Everything, truly everything. It is one of the most pleasing listens of the year and simply nothing sounds distracting or is bound to become filler music. Even the tiniest sound means something and kudos to Powell and Gregson - Williams for achieving that. Chicken Run truly is one of the most satisfying listens and belongs to stand at the number one place for a long time. Harry Gregson - Williams, known of The Borrowers gave us the main sound before John Powell inserted the twist that made it magical, and together they have created a piece of heaven. If there is one score I would pay a lot of money for, simply because its worth it, then Chicken Run is the name of the winner. Not because it is classic, simply because it reached this place in my heart never felt before in my entire life. First Antz, then Chicken Run, on to Shrek. And god knows what will follow next.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Opening Escape (3.40)

2. Main Titles (3.24) Excellent Track

3. The Evil Mrs. Tweedy (4.22)

4. Rats! (1.09)

5. Chickens Are Not Organized (1.01)

6. We Need A Miracle (2.03)

7. Rocky And The Circus (3.51)

8. Flight Training (3.39)

9. A Really Big Truck Arrives (5.56) Excellent Track

10. Cocktails And Flighty Thoughts (1.58)

11. Babs' Big Break (1.40)

12. Flip Flop And Fly: Ellis Hall (2.09)

13. Up On The Roof (3.08)

14. Into The Pie Machine (3.10) Excellent Track

15. Rocky, A Fake All Along (3.28)

16. Building The Crate (3.32) Excellent Track

17. The Wanderer: Dion (2.47)

18. The Chickens Are Revolting (2.45) Excellent Track

19. Lift Off (3.41) Excellent Track

20. Escape To Paradise (4.59) Excellent Track

Total Length: 62.43

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

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