Soundtrack Review: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)

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This is a review for the motion picture score to Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium by Alexandre Desplat & Aaron Zigman.

“This is pure, unadulterated, raw emotional intensity that is not to be found in too many of today’s scores”

The score to Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium threw me for a loop. A big loop. What I thought was going to be a mediocre listen turned out to be a charming, emotionally moving, vast, mysterious, and comical score. Composed as a collaboration between Aaron Zigman and Alexandre Desplat, this score isn’t one you’ll want to miss.

Though it has a comical, Monsters, Inc.-like opening (Main Title), the soundtrack presents an incredible flurry of motifs, incredibly emotional, and tugging at the heartstrings from all angles. The duo did an excellent job holding a sense of unity and consistency throughout the work.

Track List

1.      Main Title [2:44]
2.      Mahoney’s Debut [2:39]
3.      Good Morning [1:24]
4.      Night Time [0:47]
5.      Kermit [1:38]
6.      Dodge Ball [1:53]
7.      Bellini [0:59]
8.      Temper Tantrum Part 1 [2:31]
9.      The Wall’s Breath [0:42]
10.      The Flight of Magorium [4:45]
11.      The Store Jam [1:05]
12.      Temper Tantrum Part 2 [1:17]
13.      Block of Wood [1:53]
14.      The Funeral [2:42]
15.      Great Wisdom [1:21]
16.      Sparkle [2:01]
17.      Triscadecaphobia [1:20]
18.      Magorium’s Apartment [1:02]
19.      Dancing [1:34]
20.      Your Friend [1:47]
21.      Lost Pair [1:16]
22.      Just Trying to Help [1:02]
23.      Eric Builds Lincoln [1:13]
24.      Eric and Mutant [1:58]
25.      A Substantial Offer [1:33]
26.      The Euphonium [0:42]
27.      The Stare [0:36]
28.      I’m Stuck [1:13]
29.      You’re Hired [1:31]
30.      Tomorrow [1:53]
31.      You Have to Live [0:41]
32.      A New Chapter [1:30]
33.      I’m Leaving [0:40]
34.      Delusional [0:38]
35.      Magic Magnet [1:35]
36.      Finale [2:40]
37.      Love the World You Find (by The Flaming Lips) [2:33]

Regardless of how many styles of writing you hear in this score, the duo manage to tie it all together with unmistakable motifs, one of which tends to stand out to me a great deal: the gorgeous, sweeping melody often heard on strings, piano, or brass (Mahoney’s Debut, The Flight of Magorium, Dancing, Finale). Such a theme is not to be easily forgotten, at least not by me.

Overall, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is an excellent buy, a wonderful addition to a score fan’s library, and one that you will return to time and time again. Do not believe your first impressions, or you will be deceived. This is a children’s film, but an adults’ score. This is pure, unadulterated, raw emotional intensity that is not to be found in too many of today’s scores. And aside from that, it’s a heck of a lot of fun. Highly recommended.

Listen to Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium by Alexandre Desplat & Aaron Zigman below:

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Other articles of interest:

• Soundtrack Review: Flash of Genius (2008)
• Soundtrack Review: Afterwards / Et après (2009)
• Soundtrack Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
• Soundtrack Review: Nim’s Island by Patrick Doyle (2008)
• Dark Void by Bear McCreary Reviewed on Game Music

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