The Three Musketeers

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Michael Kamen in the adventurous tuxedo of the Musketeer? Hum, seems to be as fun as Robin Hood! In the case it is not and that is of course what people will remember after the end of the listen or this review. Still, I was thinking two things: first I knew I wasn't getting any Robin Hood because otherwise this score would have been reviewed way more and secondly, it is Kamen's style to take nothing for granted so that the listening experience becomes the new task of the reviewer or listener. The Three Musketeers is indeed no fun ride like Robin Hood but it still has its moments and themes that makes the listen worth it. And just as with his "I can shoot arrows up your ass from my grandmother's home" score, it also has the song that made the impact in the box office. And exactly like before Kamen used it as thematic music. Whether he wrote it for the song first or for the score can not be answered by the time but it does show that Kamen has got a knack to write themes that inspire ordinary people on the radio and those wanting it as accompanying material during the movie.

The song which we are babbling about opens the disc. I find 'All for Love' a very good song but not an excellent one. Still, the three song artists give it all they got. Much to my appreciation, there was stated that the score had choral moments but again don't be fooled by it. They merely are used as accompanying source music and barley receive any time to make the score epic. Such as in track 'The Cavern of Cardinal Richelien' were it briefly is heard. Track 3 is then very good on the fun scale, 'D'Artagnan' is the closest you are getting to Robin Hood and has the best heroic moments and themes of the score. 'Athos, Porthos & Aramis' is on its own way memorable because it uses the theme of the song in its construction and along with it harpsichord to address the era of the story. Don't be alarmed if you don't like these instruments since they appear briefly, the usual sound of Kamen revolves around the trumpets and the brass, like the action pieces 'Sword Fight' and the better one 'Cannonballs' which has a fun final minute. The underscore usually don't bore but doesn't sound interesting either and the last track 'The Fourth Musketeer' states short moments of the heroic theme of track 3, the song theme and the action music of track 8, closing the score with a very good feeling.

Overall, I could say I'm more relieved than disappointed. The score is just about the right length, it overall doesn't have much boring sections and the themes that Kamen incorporates are fun while they last. Still, usually with Kamen it is hard is making what is the main theme of the score. You could say that it is the theme of the song but on the other end appears only two times during the soundtrack, not knowing how much during the movie. If this is what you don't like about Kamen this could be bothersome. Because Robin Hood has two themes (the epic and the love theme) and you both knew what they did during the listen. With The Three Musketeers, the thematic material may not be revolving around the sole main theme but the moments are still fun while you hear one, motif or theme. If people are still wondering why Kamen is scoring better in the adventure genre, then Robin Hood is your answer. If you were satisfied with that one and want something of the same kind, yet weaker on the excellence factor, then a fourth musketeer can do it for you.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. All For Love: Brian Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting (4.44)

2. The Cavern Of Cardinal Richelien (Overture / Passacaille) (2.56)

3. D'Artagnan (Galliard & Air) (3.17)

4. Athos, Porthos & Aramis (Courante) (5.21)

5. Sword Fight (Bransle) (3.18)

6. Louis XIII, Queen Anna And Constance / Lady Is Waiting (Gavotte) (5.02)

7. The Cardinal's Coach (Estampie) (4.41)

8. Cannonballs (Rigadvon) (3.25)

9. M'Lady De Winter (Lament) (4.14)

10. The Fourth Musketeer (Concert Royaux) (5.19)

Total Length: 42.46

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

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