Michel Gondry has pretty good taste in music, as evinced by the myriad of music videos he’s directed (Radiohead, Bjork, etc.) and the always interesting musical choices he’s had in his films — Jon Brion, Beck (‘Eternal Sunshine’), an odd cover of the Velvet Undergound (“Science of Sleep”), composer Étienne Charry (“Interior Design”), the R&B and soul of “Block Party”, the jazz and Fats Waller from “Be Kind Rewind,” etc.
And yes, it’s an action adventure movie ostensibly and therefore likely requires something a little different from what’s listed above, but we’re rather disappointed to learn that Gondry is going with the fairly conventional choice of Danny Elfman for “The Green Hornet.”
One of the first superstar composers, as it were, or one of the few composers pleebs can generally name if asked, Elfman’s been grandfathered in by geeks as having godhead composer status, but he actually hasn’t made a score we’ve cared for in almost two decades. Yes, his work for “Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure” and the first few Tim Burton films was fun, but the clowny vibe, haunts his every work.
Suffice to say, it’s probably not an overstatement to say he’s perhaps the most overrated composer working today. Or maybe it’s just that geek film sites do backflips and hoorays every time his name is mentioned in conjunction with any movie. Either way, yes, you need something upbeat, dramatic and not off-the-beaten path for super-hero film like, “The Green Hornet,” but didn’t Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg promise something different and much more of a buddy film?
We still have faith in Gondry, but we’re not very jazzed to hear about this announcement, which makes the film sound rather orthodox and by-the-numbers action. It’s probably why we didn’t put it in our Most Anticipated Films of 2010 feature and instead, cautiously placed it in the Most Anticipated 2010 Popcorn Films; we’re not quite convinced it’s not just going to be “Gondry doing tentpole,” which yes, will be above average interesting, but…
The picture also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos and the great Christoph Waltz of “Inglourious Basterds,” playing the villain that Nicolas Cage turned down (a scary thought). The film arrives in theaters December 22, 2010, let’s hope Diaz and Elfman don’t ruin it.
Who would you recommend to score this film? And are you forgetting the Hellboy II score? Completely different to anything he's done before.
Danny Elfman does suck. He's been regurgitating the same score for 15 years! Glad someone finally had the balls to say it.
I agree with anyonymous 1 – Hellboy II had an excellent score. And, frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of the playlist sprouting out bogus comments as if they are just trying to be controversial. You;re really starting to piss me off.
Yes, totally trying to raise controversy, woooooooo!
The first Hellboy had a way better score than Hellboy 2- the sequel wasn't even in the same leauge.
Elfman still owns. Have you heard Serenada Schizophrana? Best thing he ever did.
Mark my words: Oingo Boingo is going to enjoy a huge cult-retro resurgence in 10-20 years. I'm talking Zombies-esque reverence for their overlooked brilliance.
Yeah Elfman does repeat himself with scores, and when he changes it up it's always bad(Hellboy 2 was no where near as good as Hellboys score, and Wanted had to many musical cues from The matrix)
My butt will be in the seat though. I do dig his scores even when they are similer.
Just a thought, Playlist Editors: If you are going to slam other film blogs/sites for poor grammar, better make sure to parse your own. This sentence, for instance, needs a little work: "Suffice to say, it's probably not an overstatement to say he's perhaps the most overrated composer working alive."
Good thing Elfman is working alive, better than attempting to work dead. 🙂 (just a thought: try "currently working" instead). Just sayin'.
Elfman's music is all either recycled circus music or uninspired dramatic music.