Unstoppable

The real life story of a train out of control was adapted in 2010 for the big screen by action director Tony Scott (responsible for the recent Taking of Pelham 123). In Unstoppable, a train carrying a cargo of poisonous chemicals is sent careening throughout Pennsylvania. For a film where every second counts, Unstoppable is pretty bland, held up only by the acting. To bring the sound to the film was Harry Gregson Williams, former Media Ventures composer.

Like the film, the score to Unstoppable is very bland. Gregson-Williams has proven to be a very formidable and orchestral composer in the past. Here, however, he offers only a boring pallete of electronic synths and pounding beats. At times, the material manages to dip into some interesting melodic rthyms (Frank Barnes, Will's Story, Will Guides 1206) but for the most part only delivers overused electronics. In fact, at times, the music is very reminiscient of Hans Zimmer's theme for the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Harry Gregson Williams is a very intelligent composer. When he shines, he really shines. Unstoppable is not one of those moments, though. Occasionally, the score does briefly delve into some interesting themaic material. Other times the music is just what you would expect, electronics and guitars used to the point of becoming annoying. While the music does fit the film, it really fails as a stand alone piece. It also makes me wonder; why does Harry Gregson Williams keep picking films like this?