Soundtrack Review: Get Smart (2008)

Posted by Soundtrack Geek

July 24, 2008

This is a review of the motion picture score for Get Smart by Trevor Rabin.

“In between the very recognizable Get Smart theme (that is a bit over-used) there are some genuine Trevor Rabin heroic stuff that I love”

I’ve always liked spy movies and I’ve always liked Trevor Rabin. Seems like a good mix to me. This is of course no ordinary spy movie and comparing it to for example James Bond would be just wrong. This movie is based on a classic TV Series from 1965 by the same name starring Don Adams. This time it’s Steve Carell as the charismatic Maxwell Smart. Steve Carell is quite the obnoxious guy, but he is funny, I’ll give him that. It’s an interesting team they have put together and how fun it is that they got Trevor Rabin to do the score. This is the track list of Get Smart:

Track List

Smart Dreams
Get Smart Theme
Cake Factory
Theme (Look One)
Max Denied
Max Takes A Bow
Dropping Like Flies
Theme (Look Two)
Agent 23
Max Ejects
Skydiving
Laser Hallway
Entering Moscow
Rooftop Fight
Max Calls 99
Theme (Look Three)
The Big Chase
Wish We Had More Time
Smart Exit
Theme (Look Four)

Why so short?

There are 20 tracks here and a total play time of 42:06. The thing about Trevor Rabin is that he always leaves us wanting more. I guess that’s good in his book, but not for the fans. We want more Rabin! I was listening to “Yes” by “Owner of a Lonely Heart” today and I was smiling imagining Trevor Rabin on the keyboards. He has come far since then, but what is fascinating about Trevor Rabin is that he creates hits. I can always tell when listening to his score, I bet he doesn’t even read notes and play it all by ear. He is more of an artist than a composer I would say, and there’s nothing wrong with that. He appeals to both young and old, although the fans of classic composers would not agree. He has it’s style, and it shows yet again in this score. Love it or hate it, he is back with a fun score that will definitely stay in your head, especially the new version of the Get Smart theme, believe me.

The Trevor Rabin Experience

Yes, you can definitely hear the Trevor Rabin sound, but it’s very Get Smarts, very James Bond, very much a spy score. In between the very recognizable Get Smart theme (that is a bit over-used) there are some genuine Trevor Rabin heroic stuff that I love. This guy knows how to produce great music that just inspires the hell out of you. I guess if you don’t like his style, you won’t like this score, but I feel for you if you don’t, because this is great stuff. It’s so inspiring and uplifting. There’s a couple of “quiet” cues on here, but even those are beautifully crafted to blend in with Get Smart’s pizzazz. I don’t see why you shouldn’t get this score as it will definitely get you going. It’s better than your regular happy pill. Listen to Get Smart by Trevor Rabin below: