Tarzan

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Each year Mark Mancina is proving that he simply is more then just another Media Ventures clone, even though he stepped out of the boot for quite some time. And more then ever he is trying to differentiate himself then simply an action composer of the Hans Zimmer sound. Scores like Moll Flanders and Return to Paradise make the difference clearer then ever and Tarzan may just be another style in the right direction. These 4 tracks prove that Mark Mancina is capable of far more then simply action all the way. And I thought that Tarzan deserved much more then just 4 tracks, and started looking for the promo. This however proved to be the mistake you can ever associate with larger releases. You hear the result in several glorious tracks, and you expect that the rest is equal. Sadly this is not the case and the 4 tracks are far more positive then the overall complete score. Simply mixing the best portions together and you've got a score that excels beyond the actual promo. The score that truly is short offers the best material, 'A Wondrous Place' is really the crown of the score, and ending with the ultimate blast it makes you wonder what he has in store for us the next time we get something to hear. 'Moves Like an Ape, Looks Like a Man' offers another beautiful theme that sadly is shattered in several pieces during the entire promo. 'The Gorillas' offers the main action and the first half is extremely well, with the theme that resembles Money Train's main asset. And the soft but gentle 'One Family' is another portion of successful mixing to create the ultimate effect possible.

But there are of course songs, mainly filled by Phil Collins and even though they don't reach The Lion King or other songs of that stature, they are better then several lackluster entries of the same category, the main asset and song theme is 'Two Worlds' and it appears 4 times on the soundtrack, effective with Mancina's underscore in the first track, enjoyable in Phil Collins' own take (without the actual underscore of Mancina so to speak) and enlightening when it ends the CD, with a children's choir making it a final blast to hear. There are also several duo songs, N'Sync handling already a song performed by the cast and together they are fun in a way, but not the kind you listen to for singing along. And one of Mancina's sub themes works as backbone for the song 'You'll be in my Heart', performed by Glenn Close in one and in Collins' own way in the other, effective both and enjoyable. But 'Two Worlds' is the song theme and functions so much better then the rest, and Mancina's score doesn't limp behind. It truly is one of the better scores of Mark Mancina. At least that is the impression when you have these sixteen minutes of pure enjoyable and good music. The promo's main fault is the use of dozens of short tracks, offering good with more upbeat and loud tracks but except for some short moments, there is nothing more to expect then this solid 16 minutes. For the fans of Disney and Mancina, the promo is the answer to your questions. But don't expect that you will hear the same stuff in double format, no just the rest that simply was left out for some apparent but understandable reason. The original Tarzan beats the promo but Mancina delivers a proud score for the movie as for the fans nonetheless.

Tarzan "Promo"

Proven that he is definitely ready for various projects, Disney decided to hire Mark Mancina for the jungle project and adventure film Tarzan. The co partnership on The Lion King for some reasons and the perfect understanding with song writer Phil Collins created the opportunity for Mancina to showcase his talents in different circumstances. Tarzan was released but featured only four tracks of Mancina's composed score, much to my regret. So I went searching for the promo version that was released as a promo. When I found it I immediately listened to it, but I was somewhat disappointed. It didn't have the songs composed by Phil Collins (several were extremely catchy nonetheless), but it didn't offer so much more superb material then found on the original soundtrack, apart from some excellent but short pieces there is too much chase music, blasted with full power straight towards you. The score does however have it's excellent moments, like 'Kerchak' (the second part of 'A Wondrous Place') on the original and the mighty 'Tarzan the Hero', which is totally heroic with its fanfares. But the big problem is that the more intimate sections are also the best ones, like 'Farewell at Sea' and 'Kala & Kerchak'.

The louder moments offer a lot of power but not directly interesting listening material, apart from maybe 'Tarzan saves the Apes' that is featured on the original album under 'The Gorillas'. That's truly a shame because the score featured on the original score offers so much emotion and so much class. But that isn't directly found on this promo version, only the shorter moments accomplish this. The others fall better in the category of "supporting the scenes". Mancina really delivers a grand and pompous score but I expected that this promo was to sound almost entirely amusing as the four tracks on the original album. I really don't know why but for some reason I like the original much better to listen to. I think that the material there is better mixed and so making it more a satisfying listen experience. Tarzan has moments of defying class, that will blow any person away and for that it deserves four stars. But too much raw power is messing up the intelligent atmosphere that the score is trying to create. It has some very good moments but those attacking sequences in the movie ask for much more power, and Mark Mancina delivers this a bit too much. I find that a big shame, because those four tracks are Oscar acclaim worthy. Still, true Disney fans or Mancina collector's will get a kick out of this promo version.

Tarzan: ***1/2 Score: ***1/2 Songs: ***
Tarzan "Promo": ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Two Worlds: Phil Collins (3.18)

2. You'll Be In My Heart: Phil Collins & Glenn Close (1.36)

3. Son Of Man: Phil Collins (2.44)

4. Trashin' The Camp (2.16)

5. Strangers Like Me: Phil Collins (3.00)

6. Two Worlds Reprise: Phil Collins (0.51)

7. Trashin' The Camp: Phil Collins & N'Sync (2.23)

8. You'll Be In My Heart: Phil Collins (4.17)

9. Two Worlds: Phil Collins (2.42)

10. A Wondrous Place * (5.14) Excellent Track

11. Moves Like An Ape, Looks Like A Man * (2.58)

12. The Gorillas * (4.29)

13. One Family * (3.49)

14. Two Worlds Finale: Phil Collins (1.16) Excellent Track

* Original soundtrack by Mark Mancina

Total Length: 41.04

Tarzan "Promo"

1. Tarzan & Jane (1.01)

2. Baboon Chase (2.12)

3. Kerchak (2.38) Excellent Track

4. Tracking The Humans (1.15)

5. Jane Meets Kerchak (0.55)

6. Tarzan Leaves (0.51)

7. A Wondrous Place (3.11) Excellent Track

8. Sabor Fight (2.15)

9. Tarzan The Hero (0.56) Excellent Track

10. The Offering (0.38)

11. The Treehouse (1.04)

12. Elephant Stampede (1.12)

13. Kala Discovers Tarzan (0.36)

14. Sabor Attacks (1.39)

15. Tarzan And The Humans (1.51)

16. Kerchak Threatens (0.57)

17. Farewell At Sea (0.45)

18. Clayton's Ambush (1.49)

19. The Rescue (0.52)

20. Kala & Kerchak (2.34)

21. Kerchak's Speech (0.49)

22. The Pirates (1.09)

23. Jane Leaves (2.30)

24. Tarzan Saves The Apes (2.32)

25. Vine Fight (2.05)

26. Jane Stays With Tarzan (1.46)

Total Length: 40.20

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Mark Mancina ===