Gods of Egypt
Marco Beltrami
" Gods rule the earth "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Gods of Egypt looks like to become one of the failures of the year, and that's evident once you give the trailer a chance. Though I have seen crappy trailers surface for good films, and great trailers making the most of a crappy film. So in the end I will give director Proyas a chance. Because he hasn't failed me yet. Marco Beltrami, his trusty sidekick after I, Robot and Knowing seems to ignore all the negative publicity of the film and go out in style with this amazing epic score. No need to point out if Beltrami was inspired by the visuals, because he's going Miklos Rosza on us from the very first note.
True, it's a powerful opening and the trademarks are evident. The atonal flutes and the Beltrami brass are giveaways. But Beltrami's theme isn't, and it's a fabulous return to the Golden Age themes, a potent western theme that truly sets this score apart from the rest. "Coronation" goes even further by putting Mummy Returns choir to it, thundering percussion and large evil sounding music, again just like The Mummy Returns. We have said it, Gods of Egypt will make you remember The Mummy Returns alright, even if it misses some qualities that Alan Silvestri's score possessed. Because despite the occasional highlights here and there, the middle is the weaker part of the album.
Beltrami unleashes a lot of ideas and motifs, ideas that return throughout the score. Plus it has its fair share of loud whoppers ("Set vs. Horus", Snakes on a Plain"). But the real strength comes from the all out action favorite "Obelisk Fight Part 1" and the concert arrangements of the main theme and love theme in "God of the Impossible" and "Bek and Zaya's Theme". They are thundering tracks for their development and power. "God of the Impossible" even delivers a Mask of Zorro variation that truly doesn't feel out of place.
Now, it doesn't mean that Gods of Egypt is without its flaws though, because as said I feel the middle part lacks something. But the power in that middle part isn't absent whatsoever. Actually, it gives you a remembrance of the good old days when music dared to make an impact, and dared to throw it in your face. In that case Gods of Egypt goes for the kill. It's large and ballsy, and it shows a style that Beltrami isn't that all known for. But it suits him and it's an overall strong score full of power, ideas and guts. Care to join the ride?
Track Listing
1. Gods of Egypt Prologue (2.38) Excellent track
2. Bek and Zaya (0.44)
3. Market Chase (0.28)
4. Coronation (2.24) Excellent track
5. All Quiet on Set (0.41)
6. Set vs. Horus (3.39)
7. Hathor's Bedroom (3.40)
8. Bek Steals the Eye (4.06)
9. Shot Through the Heart (2.59)
10. Underdog (1.23)
11. Red Army (1.39)
12. Wings and a Prayer (2.59)
13. Osiris' Garden (1.28)
14. Snakes on a Plain (3.10)
15. Toth's Library (3.26)
16. Straight out of Egypt (2.27)
17. Channeling Zaya (2.28)
18. Return of the Mistress of the West (2.27)
19. Chaos (3.41)
20. Set Confronts Ra (3.28)
21. Elevator Music (3.05)
22. Obelisk Fight Part 1 (4.11) Excellent track
23. Obelisk Fight Part 2 (3.30)
24. God of the Impossible (5.38) Excellent track
25. Bek and Zaya's Theme (4.36) Excellent track
26. Hathor's Theme (3.35) Excellent track
Total Length: 74.30
True, it's a powerful opening and the trademarks are evident. The atonal flutes and the Beltrami brass are giveaways. But Beltrami's theme isn't, and it's a fabulous return to the Golden Age themes, a potent western theme that truly sets this score apart from the rest. "Coronation" goes even further by putting Mummy Returns choir to it, thundering percussion and large evil sounding music, again just like The Mummy Returns. We have said it, Gods of Egypt will make you remember The Mummy Returns alright, even if it misses some qualities that Alan Silvestri's score possessed. Because despite the occasional highlights here and there, the middle is the weaker part of the album.
Beltrami unleashes a lot of ideas and motifs, ideas that return throughout the score. Plus it has its fair share of loud whoppers ("Set vs. Horus", Snakes on a Plain"). But the real strength comes from the all out action favorite "Obelisk Fight Part 1" and the concert arrangements of the main theme and love theme in "God of the Impossible" and "Bek and Zaya's Theme". They are thundering tracks for their development and power. "God of the Impossible" even delivers a Mask of Zorro variation that truly doesn't feel out of place.
Now, it doesn't mean that Gods of Egypt is without its flaws though, because as said I feel the middle part lacks something. But the power in that middle part isn't absent whatsoever. Actually, it gives you a remembrance of the good old days when music dared to make an impact, and dared to throw it in your face. In that case Gods of Egypt goes for the kill. It's large and ballsy, and it shows a style that Beltrami isn't that all known for. But it suits him and it's an overall strong score full of power, ideas and guts. Care to join the ride?
Track Listing
1. Gods of Egypt Prologue (2.38) Excellent track
2. Bek and Zaya (0.44)
3. Market Chase (0.28)
4. Coronation (2.24) Excellent track
5. All Quiet on Set (0.41)
6. Set vs. Horus (3.39)
7. Hathor's Bedroom (3.40)
8. Bek Steals the Eye (4.06)
9. Shot Through the Heart (2.59)
10. Underdog (1.23)
11. Red Army (1.39)
12. Wings and a Prayer (2.59)
13. Osiris' Garden (1.28)
14. Snakes on a Plain (3.10)
15. Toth's Library (3.26)
16. Straight out of Egypt (2.27)
17. Channeling Zaya (2.28)
18. Return of the Mistress of the West (2.27)
19. Chaos (3.41)
20. Set Confronts Ra (3.28)
21. Elevator Music (3.05)
22. Obelisk Fight Part 1 (4.11) Excellent track
23. Obelisk Fight Part 2 (3.30)
24. God of the Impossible (5.38) Excellent track
25. Bek and Zaya's Theme (4.36) Excellent track
26. Hathor's Theme (3.35) Excellent track
Total Length: 74.30