Soundtrack Review: Hancock (2008)
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This is a review of the motion picture score for Hancock by John Powell.
“John Powell has conducted an experiment, it’s not a failure, but it’s not a hit either”
Only half of the year is gone and my shelf is filled with John Powell scores. Not that I mind though, I rather like Powell. He disappointed with the score to Jumper earlier this year, but got back in the good books with Horton Hears a Who. Now he is back with this years (or any years) weirdest superhero. His name is Hancock and judging by the trailer, he’s a mess. I honestly don’t know what to expect, but it looks to be really funny, but then again, is it a comedy score? So it was with excitement I started to listen to this score which was one of the few times I had no idea what to expect. John Powell normally does a really good job with almost everything, so the creators of Hancock should have little to fear. This is the track list of Hancock:
Track List
- Suv Chase
- John, Meet Ray
- Train Disaster
- Meatballs?
- The Trailer
- French Asshole
- Superhero Comix
- You Should Go!
- Mary Brings Meatballs
- Getting Therapy
- To War
- I Really Hat That Word
- Standing Ovation
- The Kiss
- Indestructible
- Hollywood Blvd
- Mortal
- Upon Us All
- Death And Transfiguration
- The Moon And The Superhero
Too Varied?
It’s an ok length on this soundtrack with about 45 minutes of music and 20 tracks. The thing with this score as I mentioned a little in my intro is that it’s really in limbo. Track 1 and 3 are very funky while track 2 and 4 are more or less comedic sounding tracks. Sometimes this work well, sometimes it doesn’t. Someone mentioned to me that they hoped it would be like the Bourne series, but I have to disappoint anyone who thinks that. This is more an experiment of John Powell. We know he can do it all, and I can hear some of his excellent United 93 score in some cues like “The Trailer”. I can also hear some of his animated stuff in tracks 2 and 4. I know the movie will be a hit of course, it has the name Will Smith on it so it’s bound to be good. I wonder how the score integrates into the thick of things. It will be interesting to find out because I am not sure where it will all fits. John Powell has conducted an experiment, it’s not a failure, but it’s not a hit either. I am not entirely happy with his efforts this time, but give it a listen, it might be just what you were looking for. Does every superhero need a theme? John Powell didn’t seem to think so, then again Hancock might not be a superhero. You decide. Listen to Hancock by John Powell below:
http://soundtrackgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/hancock.flv
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Comments
Thanks for the suggestion mdx. I have thought about that, but it will take too long to do the reviews. In my own catalogue system I only rank the albums myself as I like to have an overall view on the whole album itself. I might do as I did on the Rambo score by Bryan Tyler and rank the best songs on the album. but we’ll see what happens. Lot of changes coming this fall.
I rather enjoyed the music in the film because of the diversity. Such a wild mix of genres was a surprise. But it worked in the film.
I haven’t heard the score seperately from the movie. I wouldn’t like it that much then.
Glad you enjoyed it Tobias. I really look forward to see this movie as I think the soundtrack will stand out.
Along comes Hancock…and the public cries out “go away”. Many critics called that out too, but I felt the film was brilliantly executed in its first act, even if it did meander a little in its second half origins tale. John Powell was left with a film that attempts dark comedy, superheroism, an FU attitude, and sad discovery, so he would have to find a way to balance that out. On the whole, I feel its a successful score. The two main themes are quite flexible, working in more understated moments like John, Meet Ray and the superb Getting Therapy yet soaring in the action cues like Hollywood Blvd or uplifting moments like the two-track finale. The action material is among Powell’s best. SUV Chase is a kick-ass way to start off an album, with Memphis-style guitar, brass blasting, and strings that are about to fly off the rails fueling an exciting 2 minute rush. Hollywood Blvd is a little more varied but again blows you away with brass hits, energetic strings, and rapid percussion.
And yet, it’s not a great score. The film demands a lot of minimal underscore, and so almost half the album is devoted to this material, which is serviceable and occasionally engaging but ultimately unmemorable…French Asshole and Indestructible exemplify this. Killer material shouldn’t be completely abandoned because of necessary underscore though, and overall it’s a fun score that shows off most of Powell’s strengths. 4/5
I felt the movie was a bit disappointing. I had really high expectations for it and perhaps that’s why it fell so hard when reality set in. The score did work in the movie at some level, but it felt bland like the movie itself. To say that the action material is among Powell’s best is quite a ludicrous statement though. Overall it’s a disappointing score and movie, but I always look forward to John Powell’s work.
please I want to find intro track to hancock, with is playing the first in film, with saxophone …. SUV chase it isnt. Thanks can you answer me on my email adress james91@orangemail.sk . Thanks
You should maybe indicate what the best cue is in your reviews. I would say for Hancock, it is ‘The Moon and the Superhero’.
Also, do you know what cue it is from the Blu-ray/DVD menus? I only rented it but I am not sure if it is a cue on the soundtrack?
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Yep I agree. I didn’t do that before, but I started doing that some time ago. Not sure what is used in the DVD menus, since I haven’t got it on DVD (Felt the movies wasn’t so good to be in my collection)
Luke Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Well, I rented it but do agree. It is not a worthy release to be in a collection. See once, move on type-of movie.
Soundtrack Seek
I like your blog cause you always have really quick new reviews of new albums. However maybe it’s a good idea to rate every song with stars too. Especially on albums like this it can be very usefull cause it is so varied.
Anywayz, good review. I agree with the most parts. If the whole soundtrack was like the last three tracks it would have been superb. Unfortunatly it’s not now…
Reply