Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Normally this is a score that I would give a half star lesser, but a couple of things convinced me to give this score the almost highest quotation. First of all, the score works tremendously during the movie, the begin when you hear the first tones of Kamen's score took me by surprise and it really blew me away, so heroic. Secondly, because I never thought that Kamen could write such a score, so melodic and plain fun at moments. I've heard his contributions during the Die Hard movies and they didn't impress me at all. And third, because it is also very good music. Michael Kamen deserved this Oscar nomination with all my approval. The score itself Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves combines an orchestra with various instruments to create the ethnic and suburban mood. Like the Eastern instruments during the 3rd minute of 'Overture and a Prisoner of the Crusades'. This works because it fits very good with the movie and as I have said earlier, I have seen the movie more then 4 times when I bought this album, it doesn't fail to bring that negative response. I normally wouldn't have liked this if I had heard the score first, but luckily did I already saw the movie. This is really a tip, for those who want to try out Kamen's score most effectively. Try out the movie first, even a couple of times when it has to.

Over to the score, the main theme of Robin Hood is simply glorious, I mean simply sensational. It sets the mood right in the first minute and shows up later in the many tracks. It is really something I never thought Kamen could write. The first track is a good highlight but so are the softer moments like definitely 'Marian at the Waterfall'. These moments I really heard too less from Kamen and the power that the orchestra is creating is brilliant. The action moments are mostly melodic and even a bit amusing like for instance in 'Little John and the Band in the Forest'. The end track begins threatening but builds later to an action moment before ending more hopefully and completely heroic, a nice ending for such a remarkable score of Kamen. The two songs did add some support for the sales of Kamen's album. And that is all part to Bryan Adams' song '(Everything I Do) I Do it For You', which broke all box office records, together with Celine Dion's song for Titanic probably the best songs ever composed for a motion picture. The last song is much lesser but doesn't bother me a lot. As I said, I would have given this score a star lesser if I hadn't seen the film first, but I enjoyed the score so much during the motion picture, the purchase was inevitable. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a really good buy and if persons want to hear their first score of Michael Kamen, I would recommend this score. A shame is that some tracks are missing like the attack of the Kelts and the end is not completely available, just on the moment when Robin flies through the window it stops. But all in all, an impressive album of Kamen, I haven't heard a single other score of Kamen that offers the same quality and melodic style.

\도도1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Overture And A Prisoner Of The Crusades (8.23) Excellent Track

2. Sir Guy Of Gisborne And The Escape To Sherwood (7.23)

3. Little John And The Band In The Forest (4.49)

4. The Sheriff And His Witch (5.59)

5. Maid Marian (2.55) Excellent Track

6. Training / Robin Hood, Prince Of Thieves (5.11) Excellent Track

7. Marian At The Waterfall (5.30) Excellent Track

8. The Abduction And The Final Battle At The Gallows (9.53) Excellent Track

9. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You: Brian Adams (6.36) Excellent Track

10. Wild Times: Jeff Lynne (3.12)

Total Length: 60.25

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Michael Kamen ===