Medal of Honor (Video Game Score)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Dreamworks Interactive was one of the first companies that changed the world of computer games in general. We became used to hearing big star Hollywood actors lending their voices in games, we thought that interactive movies were perfect for capturing your interest during the game, and the money that was spend for expanding the reality was more then ever the sign that these games were no longer simple and fun entertainment. But the insertion of orchestral film music is always a step further. Michael Giacchino perfected the game's reality by enhancing the action, patriotism and tension with his pounding, adrenaline and at times amazing score. Though seriously influenced by John Williams' classic scores and style, this CD is a gift to the modern age of computer games. Where those midi sequences started to sound boring, there goes Medal of Honor to succeed in every aspect that makes film music such a pleasure. It is no wonder that Steven Spielberg wanted Michael Giacchino on this project. Spielberg is a big fan of John Williams and their long time collaboration is a sign that Williams simply knows what his movies need. Because this score by Michael Giacchino simply sounds John Williams in every way. This doesn't mean it's a complete rip off but just every trademark that makes Williams so good is witnessed in Medal of Honor, and you will get many opportunities to point out which score was influenced by Giacchino in that particular moment. The score starts with 'Medal of Honor', a tribute and patriotic theme directly pinpoints Giacchino's direction, it sounds as Saving Private Ryan, where this game is based on.

'Taking Out the Railgun' is a heavy and exhilarating action and suspense cue, with multiple use of brass and percussion, the Nazi theme creates further danger and power. Here you can go in the direction of Williams' Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade score, think of the action music when Indy fights with Nazis, coincidence? Still a massive track and pure enjoyment. The track 'The Radar Train' combines Jaws and The Last Crusade into one massive pounding action cue, between it the main theme of the main character Patterson is witnessed. Think of Jaws gliding to the water and attacking a victim and the pounding brass of The Last Crusade presenting the Nazi threat. 'Rescuing the G3 Officer' takes things more darker, and this represents the horror and darker moments of The Temple of Doom. One of the most impressive tracks on this score is 'Rjuken Sabotage', here Giacchino really rocks, with a threatening and exhilarating action cue. According to the liner notes Patterson is chased by the enemy and this music really sounds that way also. The danger becomes stronger through once more brass and a tense action rhythm. Once more Williams all over it, especially the begin that is more playful, like Williams sometimes does in his music.You'll know what I mean if you hear it. 'Merker's Salt Mine' is apparently a scene where Patterson uses a mine car (coincidence?), the music sounds grand in power, presenting the beauty of the gold and artifacts that Patterson encounters during his ride. 'Securing the Codebook' is a rather calm cue but explodes at the end with the bombastic version of the Nazi theme. 'Nordhausen' and 'Stopping The V2 Launch' are both intense and exciting suspense cues where the action becomes unbearable. Giacchino composes for the last time a suspenseful action rhythm.

The suspension is still heard in 'The Jet Aircraft Facility' but combined with the heroic and patriotic version of the main theme, creating a nice ending to a wonderful score. The lasts tracks are all an extra supplement of material. Jazz material in 'The Road to Berlin' and 'The Road to Berlin (Radio Broadcast)'. A variation on the main theme plus two hidden cues namely a track plucked from the game and the performance of the National Anthem by a person named Ms. Giacchino. The last tracks don't bring much interesting material and somewhat misguide Giacchino's music into a faded memory. My advice is simple, listen to them first or not and enjoy the tense and bombastic music of Michael Giacchino's score. Medal of Honor consists of a Williams style and manner, the score itself is simply terrific. Though maintaining in one direct category, namely war music, the music really rocks big time. If you adore Williams' classic scores, if you can stand big blown action and suspense music, if you're willing to try out a new composer's talent and if you simply love wonderful film music, then Medal of Honor is more then just a perfect example. I simply begin to love these scores for computer games, namely Outcast and this one. Unlike movies, here the composer constructs it's own piece, where he decides to stop his theme or not. So you can enjoy it as it was meant to be. Medal of Honor can only be described as pure good film music, and it really deserves to be heard by a diverse amount of musical enthusiasts.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Medal Of Honor (4.10) Excellent Track

2. Locating Enemy Positions (4.08)

3. Taking Out The Railgun (3.49) Excellent Track

4. Attack On Fort Schmerzen (3.57)

5. The Radar Train (3.32) Excellent Track

6. Rescuing The G3 Officer (4.07)

7. Panzer Attack (4.15)

8. Rjuken Sabotage (4.05) Excellent Track

9. The U-Boat (4.40)

10. Merker's Salt Mine (4.07) Excellent Track

11. Colditz Castle (3.20)

12. Securing The Codebook (3.34)

13. Nordhausen (3.15)

14. Stopping The V2 Launch (4.11) Excellent Track

15. The Jet Aircraft Facility (3.27) Excellent Track

16. The Road To Berlin (3.04)

17. Medal Of Honor (Alternate Version) (3.01)

18. The Road To Berlin (Radio Broadcast) (4.09)

Bonus Tracks

19. Movie Clip Of The Game (1.21)

20. The National Anthem (2.07)

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Michael Giacchino ===