After the success of Shaun of the Dead and the almost as good Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost can do nearly no wrong and Paul seems to continue the trend (not that I've seen it, although the trailer didn't look hugely inspiring). It looks like a comedy version of ET, but starring Roger from American Dad, although Paul is not as camp as Butlins. David Arnold worked on Hot Fuzz and evidently buoyed by the coup of getting a top Hollywood composer, Pegg, Frost and Arnold reunited for Paul.
As a cross between a sci-fi and a road trip, buddy movie, Arnold's music takes both in its stride; quite literally with the perky, folksy Road Trips with a bit of guitar and harmonica. Campfire Confessions is a little darker while A Little Talk With Paul and 1st Contact are pleasingly underplayed. The finale, Goodbye, is a pleasing riff on grandiose sci-fi finales, although ET is the most obvious comparator, even if Arnold is considerably more subtle than Williams (had to happen sometime, I guess).
The album is filled out with an eclectic, but somewhat noncommercial selection of songs, including a cover of Williams' Cantina Band music from the original Star Wars. One supposes there's a good sight gag to go with this in the film itself. Sometimes short and sweet works very well for a score and while half an hour might have been better, 21 minutes of David Arnold's delightful music seems about right (and it's entirely possible there isn't much else of note).
Fly to another world or order it from Amazon.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment