The Hunchback of Notre Dame
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Composer: Music: Alan Menken;
Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Total Time: 57:21 Availability: ***** Rating: **** |
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After the break in 1994 (Hans Zimmer scored the 1994 Disney Animated Feature "Lion King"), Alan Menken's Disney's scores don't seem to be as magical as before. For instance, the pop songs that he has written are not as popular. But most important of all, not many kids seem to really know the songs in Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. No wonder Disney has to show The Little Mermaid in theaters again in the winter of 97. The story of Quasimodo doesn't seem to be a right subject for a Disney animated feature. When I watched this movie, I felt it is a little wicked. The subject of the movie, however, doesn't seem to limit Menken's creativity. Menken composed a haunting and majestic theme for Notre Dame. It has simple melody but it is very effective. Also, many Latin chorus lines are embedded in the score, which makes the score more haunting and powerful. Song-wise, there are a few enjoyable songs , like "Out There", "Heaven's Light/Hellfire" and "The Bells of Notre Dame." I think one will enjoy them more if they have seen the movie. One downside about the songs is that the singing voice for Quasimodo is way too handsome for an ugly face. I just feel a little uncomfortable when I hear that singing voice. There are also two pop song selections, one by All-4-One and the other by Bette Midler. I usually don't listening to them. I like this one more than Pocahontas because the quality of the scores and songs are more consistant. I recommand you to get this score but I cannot gurantee that you will like it. | |
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