Soundtrack Review: Die Another Day (2002)

Posted by Jon Blough

October 27, 2008

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die another day 48348 Soundtrack Review: Die Another Day (2002) This is a review of the motion picture score for Die Another Day by David Arnold.

Out of context, this score could probably seem like a fine modern action score to some. Yet in a musical series, especially one with such a recognizable thematic core as the Bond franchise, stylistic context is important. In that respect, Die Another Day is a mixed bag. It certainly boasts plenty of exciting action cues, like the addictive “Hovercraft Chase” and the climactic plane fight, and the mammoth performances of the villain theme will thrill fans of Arnold’s Stargate. The darkly romantic theme for Jinx is, as usual for Arnold’s romantic Bond themes, a nice nod to the music of John Barry. The new brass motif that serves as the main thematic identity for the score is addictive in its statements throughout, even if it lacks the fully formed statements that made the main themes for Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough so strong.

Yet if The World Is Not Enough represents a minor shift of the superb stylistic balance in Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day is a caustic disruption at times. Invasive electronics permeate throughout, substituting modern thumping for sexy stylistic cool and making cues like “Laser Fight” almost intolerable. Iced Inc, despite being enjoyable for its propulsive energy, pushes the clicks and beeps too far for a Bond cue; compare the fine balance of “Backseat Driver” to this and you’ll want the former. Honestly, without the admittedly cool guitar performances of the Bond themes (the best being the alternate for “Wheelchair Access”), this would just be another explosive Arnold score. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s certainly an underachievement (then again, the film wasn’t much cause for inspiration, and the tech-obsessed filmmakers may have pushed for a tech-obsessed score…after all, look at what happened with the atrocious Madonna song). You could turn your brain off for this one if you wanted, but Arnold’s writing for Tomorrow Never Dies was so intelligent that you’d be selling yourself short by doing that. Admittedly, complete bootlegs of the score are an improvement, mostly due to the new sensational action cues “Sword Fight”, ‘Ice Palace Car Chase”, and “Going Down Together (Film Version)”, but it still feels a bit distant (I’ll avoid the bad ice-related puns here) from the rest of Arnold’s Bond works. Thankfully, Arnold would return to form with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Geek Score: 7

Original Album (55:01)
1. Die Another Day (4:38)
2. James Bond Theme (4:05)
3. On the Beach (2:51)
4. Hovercraft Chase (3:49)
5. Some Kind of Hero? (4:32)
6. Welcome to Cuba (2:07)
7. Jinx Jordan (1:29)
8. Jinx & James (2:04)
9. A Touch of Frost (1:52)
10. Icarus (1:23)
11. Laser Fight (4:35)
12. Whiteout (4:55)
13. Iced Inc. (3:08)
14. Antonov (11:52)
15. Going Down Together (1:34)

2-Disc Bootleg (104:45)
Disc 1
1.    Gunbarrel (0:28)
2.    Surf’s Up (1:05)
3.    On the Beach (2:29)
4.    Bond Meets Moon (1:03)
5.    Hovercrafts (1:14)
6.    How Do You Intend To Kill Me Now, Mr. Bond? (2:03)
7.    Hovercraft Chase (3:47)
8.    Bond to Jail (0:50)
9.    Prisoner Exchange (4:31)
10.    Kiss of Life (4:47)
11.    Peaceful Fountains of Desire (1:06)
12.    Hotel (0:43)
13.    Cuba (0:43)
14.    Cuban Car (0:50)
15.    Jinx Jordan (1:26)
16.    Jinx and James (2:05)
17.    Wheelchair Access (2:22)
18.    Wheelchair Access (Alternate) (2:22)
19.    Jinx, James, and Genes (5:11)
20.    Gustav Graves’ Gravitational Grand Entrance (1:35)
21.    Verity (0:55)
22.    Sword Fight (2:16)
23.    Bond Gets The Key (0:24)
24.    Virtual Reality (1:40)
25.    The Vanish (0:52)
26.    Bond Goes to Iceland (1:17)
27.    The Explanation (1:35)
28.    Party Music (1:32)
29.    Icarus (1:20)
30.    Ice Spy (2:59)
31.    A Touch of Frost (1:48)
Disc 2
1.    Laser Fight (4:38)
2.    It Belongs To His Boss (0:44)
3.    Double Agent (1:51)
4.    Whiteout (4:52)
5.    Skidoos (2:28)
6.    Iced Inc. (3:07)
7.    Ice Palace Car Chase (4:55)
8.    Switchblades (3:24)
9.    Death of Moon (5:43)
10.    Gustav Graves’ Gravitational Grand Exit (6:18)
11.    Going Down Together (Film Version) 3:19
12.    Moneypenny (1:09)
13.    Diamonds (1:32)
14.    End Credits (Unused) (3:54)