Something Wicked this Way Comes
James Horner
" Horner's dark score is interesting and enjoyable "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
The fantasy adventure film Something Wicked this Way Comes (based on Ray Bradbury's novel of the same name) is not what you'd call easy food for the youngest amongst us, considering it came from Walt Disney for goodness sake. Some scenes did not even took the time to hide the sometimes gruesome elements of the novel (for instance the many spells the characters go through or the spider sequence). Meaning I'm pretty sure that it would have scared me immensely if I ever saw it when I was young. That said, though the movie was faithful to the novel, many re-shoots, re-filming, re-editing and re-scoring were eventually done when the test screenings did not attract the expected buzz. Eventually it did not salvage the movie at all financially.
For the music, Georges Delerue was chosen in the first place. However due to the numerous re-shoots, the tone of the film changed considerably and James Horner was brought on board instead. And the result is now available for you to enjoy. After having existed for many years on bootleg format, Intrada releases the premiere recording of it in wonderful sound quality. And we open frighteningly enough with "Main Title", Horner"s opener that doesn't hide the intentions of this score in the least. The evil theme represents the danger that's arriving with the upcoming train, though the unknowing lovely tone of the town and the 2 main lead actors change the tone after that. As expected, Horner paints these unknowing times incredibly sweet and beautiful, with a couple of flourishing versions of the theme as highlight (reminding me of equally endearing moments like in Jumanji when Alan rides through town).
And as expected, now that the 2 themes have been addressed, expect them to present both evil as good. "Dark's Pandemonium Carnival" doesn't hide it whatsoever when it unleashes it alongside eerie atonal choir. The same atonal effect arises in "The Carousel", even down to a couple of Aliens screeching effects as the carnival tune unleashes a magical and downright terrifying ride. And as more towns-folks are experiencing the danger of Mr. Dark, so too does Horner keep returning to the sound of the first 3 tracks ("Miss Foley in the Mirror" for instance).
A beautiful sign of relief captures us when "The Boys Buy a Lightening Rod", again unleashing that wonderful touching main theme for the 2 kids. But that innocence vaporises quickly again once the 2 boys have to hide in "The Library" as Mr. Dark is trying to lure them out, using deception and dark magic. Once again does Horner rely on eerie choir to the utmost effect. And considering trickery is of all ages but not for all ages, the 2 boys are caught viewing a much tantalizing "Side Show", another trickery effect that Mr. Dark uses to lure unknowing towns-folks. Again using the choir to unleash that eerie effect under a layer of exotic rhythms.
The rhythm changes once the boys are "Discovered" and choir now supports a more dominant suspenseful pace as the boys try to break free from the danger of Mr. Dark. But as he now knows how to find them, he uses scary techniques to bring them to their knees, and in one of the most frightening scenes of all, "Spiders" are literally crawling from every corner of the house, once again using Horner's most dominant choir alongside constant Aliens shrieks. Without a doubt the most scary track of all, and not Disney material whatsoever. But luckily things end for the best, and "End Titles" represents the finest material of the first track, now closing this rather dark score in a positive light.
All in all, Something Wicked this Way Comes is pretty amusing if you consider it is not one of Horner's happiest of scores, at least for what still remains a kid movie brought by Walt Disney. The score (like the film) is packed with dark intentions, harrowing moments and uneasy situations, often relying on Horner's use of an equally eerie sounding choir. His 2 themes are typical Horner motifs, the one (dark theme) used most dominantly in the begin while the main theme ever so rarely ignites some kind of positive spark throughout the score. And even though it helps by seeing the film, something tells me Horner's Something Wicked this Way Comes captures that interesting acceptable vibe no matter what, offering a different score from what Delerue envisioned in the first place.
Favorite Moment - Main Title (5.17 - 6.42)
Horner in charming mode when he makes the theme soar
Track Listing
1. Main Title (6.46)
2. Dark's Pandemonium Carnival (4.27)
3. The Carousel (4.34)
4. Miss Foley in the Mirror (4.51)
5. The Boys Buy a Lightening Rod (3.25)
6. The Library (6.51)
7. Side Show (1.58)
8. Discovered (3.45)
9. The Spiders (3.24)
10. Magic Window (2.15)
11. End Titles (2.45)
Total Length: 45.06
For the music, Georges Delerue was chosen in the first place. However due to the numerous re-shoots, the tone of the film changed considerably and James Horner was brought on board instead. And the result is now available for you to enjoy. After having existed for many years on bootleg format, Intrada releases the premiere recording of it in wonderful sound quality. And we open frighteningly enough with "Main Title", Horner"s opener that doesn't hide the intentions of this score in the least. The evil theme represents the danger that's arriving with the upcoming train, though the unknowing lovely tone of the town and the 2 main lead actors change the tone after that. As expected, Horner paints these unknowing times incredibly sweet and beautiful, with a couple of flourishing versions of the theme as highlight (reminding me of equally endearing moments like in Jumanji when Alan rides through town).
And as expected, now that the 2 themes have been addressed, expect them to present both evil as good. "Dark's Pandemonium Carnival" doesn't hide it whatsoever when it unleashes it alongside eerie atonal choir. The same atonal effect arises in "The Carousel", even down to a couple of Aliens screeching effects as the carnival tune unleashes a magical and downright terrifying ride. And as more towns-folks are experiencing the danger of Mr. Dark, so too does Horner keep returning to the sound of the first 3 tracks ("Miss Foley in the Mirror" for instance).
A beautiful sign of relief captures us when "The Boys Buy a Lightening Rod", again unleashing that wonderful touching main theme for the 2 kids. But that innocence vaporises quickly again once the 2 boys have to hide in "The Library" as Mr. Dark is trying to lure them out, using deception and dark magic. Once again does Horner rely on eerie choir to the utmost effect. And considering trickery is of all ages but not for all ages, the 2 boys are caught viewing a much tantalizing "Side Show", another trickery effect that Mr. Dark uses to lure unknowing towns-folks. Again using the choir to unleash that eerie effect under a layer of exotic rhythms.
The rhythm changes once the boys are "Discovered" and choir now supports a more dominant suspenseful pace as the boys try to break free from the danger of Mr. Dark. But as he now knows how to find them, he uses scary techniques to bring them to their knees, and in one of the most frightening scenes of all, "Spiders" are literally crawling from every corner of the house, once again using Horner's most dominant choir alongside constant Aliens shrieks. Without a doubt the most scary track of all, and not Disney material whatsoever. But luckily things end for the best, and "End Titles" represents the finest material of the first track, now closing this rather dark score in a positive light.
All in all, Something Wicked this Way Comes is pretty amusing if you consider it is not one of Horner's happiest of scores, at least for what still remains a kid movie brought by Walt Disney. The score (like the film) is packed with dark intentions, harrowing moments and uneasy situations, often relying on Horner's use of an equally eerie sounding choir. His 2 themes are typical Horner motifs, the one (dark theme) used most dominantly in the begin while the main theme ever so rarely ignites some kind of positive spark throughout the score. And even though it helps by seeing the film, something tells me Horner's Something Wicked this Way Comes captures that interesting acceptable vibe no matter what, offering a different score from what Delerue envisioned in the first place.
Favorite Moment - Main Title (5.17 - 6.42)
Horner in charming mode when he makes the theme soar
Track Listing
1. Main Title (6.46)
2. Dark's Pandemonium Carnival (4.27)
3. The Carousel (4.34)
4. Miss Foley in the Mirror (4.51)
5. The Boys Buy a Lightening Rod (3.25)
6. The Library (6.51)
7. Side Show (1.58)
8. Discovered (3.45)
9. The Spiders (3.24)
10. Magic Window (2.15)
11. End Titles (2.45)
Total Length: 45.06