Though it was a massive success that perpetuated the imposing history of Disney technical breakthroughs by seamlessly fusing animation with live action to an unprecedented degree, Roger Rabbit never achieved the franchise status so many expected from it. One suspects the film's spectacular collision of the Disney and Warner animation universes would be a tough act for the respective empires' burgeoning licensing and copyright departments to repeat. That fusion, along with its '40s historical roots (believe it or not, it's based on a true story: the corporate collusion to eliminate Los Angeles's once-expansive commuter rail system in favor of buses), also gave the composer a whole slate of daunting challenges. He's required to variously concoct the musical ethos for a fictional cartoon studio and Roger, its mascot (the "Maroon" themes, "The Merry Go Round Broke Down"); recall the swing and smoky jazz of post-war L.A. (Jessica Rabbit's/Amy Irving's sultry "Why Don't You Do Right," "Jessica's Theme"); and evoke the madcap genius of veteran Disney/Warner animation composer Carl Stalling ("Hungarian Rhapsody (Dueling Pianos)," "Toontown")--but don't make it too obvious, please. To his credit, Silvestri delivers one of the great contemporary animated scores, a dizzy, back-to-the-future soundtrack that bounds across both genre and studio boundaries with surprising grace and subtlety. --Jerry McCulley
Product Details:
Audio CD Release Date:
April 16, 2002
Studio:
Walt Disney Records
Number Of Discs:
1
Format:
Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
Average Customer Rating:
based on 3 reviews
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:
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Who frammed the movie with this soundtrack !?Feb 08, 2008 Alan Silvestri ! ! !
Two words that, together, mean that your movie will take life through the music, no matter what is on screen...
One of the greatest composer of our time, Silvestri gives us a performance unlike anything you've ever heard.
Be it relentless rhythmics that go beyond any cartoon music ever composed or the most sensual music to accompany Jessica in her every curvy movement, the soundtrack will leave you breathless (especilly if you try to dance to it)...
4 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Fun in a cartoonish sort of wayMar 22, 2003 Scoring a live action/animation film can be a difficult thing. Do you mickey mouse every scene or play it straight? Silvestri does both, but mainly in a comic fashion. Lots of jazz musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as the orchestra itself provide the music and the result is a good one. For the jazz parts, Silvestri throws in a solo trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, and drums. "Maroon Logo" and "Maroon Cartoon" are 2 mickey-moused tracks, meaning that every action on screen is reflected in the music. I can't help but think back to the old Warner Bros. cartoons here. "Valiant and Valiant" and "Eddie's Theme" are 2 tracks on the slightly somber side, employing the use of the wonderful jazz musicians. "The Weasels" is amusing, while "Hungarian Rhapsody" contains the scene where Donald and Daffy Duck duel with each other on the pianos. "Judge Doom" is the most ominous track on the album, sensing evil is right around the corner. "Why Don't You Do Right" and "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" are 2 songs from the film, the former one a sultry and swinging song sung by Jessica Rabbit in the film and the latter a comically entertaining one sung by Roger Rabbit. "Jessica's Theme" is sultry, with a slightly suspect feel to it. "The Gag Factory" is one of the highlights of the album, with the orchestra shining at its best with racing brass rhythms and strings. "The Will" is a great finale track, while "Smile Darn Ya Smile/That's All Folks!" is somewhat of a goofy song with Porky Pig quoting his famous line at the end. The best track is "End Title", which brings together all of the themes in the film into a 5 minute suite. A great effort on Silvestri's part and a wonderful recording, as well as a great orchestral performance.
I have the original CD...Jun 05, 2002 ...and it is absolutely wonderful. Alan Silvestri is an incredible composer. I have several soundtracks from him and I'm a huge WFRR fan to boot! This soundtrack is a must have for any fan of this movie.
based on 3 reviews
