Danny Elfman definitely leads an interesting existence in the world of music.  His fame spans from his role as the front-man for the pop group Oingo Boingo to his various accomplishments at musical scoring for television and motion pictures. He is responsible for the creation of the soundtracks to such blockbuster movies as Batman, Batman Returns and The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

While the movie, The Hulk, has received a somewhat lackluster response from movie goers, I can’t help but wonder if anyone has actually listened to the soundtrack.  Oh, if it were the best movie of the summer, perhaps people would be talking about it, but somehow I don’t think is going to be the case.  Nevertheless, the soundtrack deserves to be evaluated on its own merits and that is the purpose of this review.

I've always been a fan of Danny Elfman's musical scores.  While his style falls somewhere in the middle of other composers, his ability to create soundtracks which span a vast range of subjects, is one of his most admirable traits.  In fact, given his work, it seems that he is particularly suited to write a soundtrack for a movie that, in typical comic book manner explores some of the basest and yet most important features of human nature.

From the opening track, Main Titles, it is clear that there is an interesting conflict that underlies both the music and the movie.  The intensity of this conflict which echoes the movie itself varies considerably from merely a mild disharmony in the musical score to an all out war where at the very moment where things are just about to rip apart, they are somehow brought back together again.  Ultimately, the movie and the soundtrack both come to equilibrium in the end with just a hint that there is still more to come, then again, who would expect anything less.

Technically the music is well recorded and mixed.  While the upper treble is somewhat brittle and digital sounding, it isn't enough to ruin the entire treble range.  In fact, the lush midrange and decent bass picked up much of the slack that the treble issues caused.  This succeeded in creating an overall positive experience in listening to the film’s musical score.

One place I do feel the recording excels is its ability to create a believable and tangible soundstage.  You only have to close your eyes and let the music wash over you in order to experience the very events that the music is meant to portray.  There is a definite sense of coherency throughout the entire album.

I am not certain that I would recommend the movie, especially from the comments I have heard.  However, I have no such reservations in recommending the soundtrack to someone who enjoys experiencing events through the magic of well written music.  In fact, I would venture to say this is one of my favorite soundtracks from Danny Elfman in some time.

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Soundtrack
Danny Elfman

The Hulk

Released: June 17, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 1:03:50
Tracks:19
Produced by: Kathy Nelson
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Universal Classics
Website:
www.thehulk.com

Main Titles
Prologue
Betty's Dream
Bruce's Memories
Captured
Dad's Visit
Father Knows Best
...Making Me Angry
Gentle Giant
Hounds of Hell
The Truth Revealed
Hulk's Freedom
A Man Again
A Lake Battle
The Aftermath
The Phone Call
End Credits
Set Me Free *