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Reviews
Filmmusicsite.com editor score: 8/10
Review of Andreas Lindahl, submitted at 2008-01-20 21:25:40, score: 6/10
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is in my opinion one of Disney's best and most "mature" animated film - Frollo haveing erotic fantasies about Esmeralda, for example. Not exactly something a small child can relate to... At the same time the music by Alan Menken is also very mature, for an animated Disney film, at least. The orchestral score concists mainly of choir music, or chantings, in latin, mostly "Dies irae, dies illa" or "Kyrie eleison, Christie eleison". It's often very loud and very dark and dramatic, but for some reason it doesn't make for a good listening experience. It may work in the film - in fact it does ver well - but on CD it gets a little too loud and disturbing. There are however a couple of remorable cues, such as "The Bell Tower" and the first half of "He Shall Smite the Wicked" - two beautiful pieces, with delicate orchestra and choir.
The songs, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, differ in quality. There are superb numbers, such as "The Bells of Notre Dame", "Out There" (splendidly performed by Tom Hulce, and with excellent orchestral backing) and "Heaven's Light/Hellfire" (sung by Tom Hulce, who really did impress me with his singing for this film, and Tony Jay), while other songs, such as "Topsy Turvey" - a silly show tune, with a loud chorus and typical French, and Gypsie, instruments and harmonies - and "A Guy Like You" - in the same style, although more "Broadway" in its style, with vocals by Jason Alexander and others - are simply annoying. "God Help the Outcasts" is also rather good, although it isn't one of the better songs written for the film. It is represented by two different versions on the soundtrack. There is the film version, performed by Heidi Mollenhauer, and a more mainstream version, sung by Bette Midler. Which one you will prefer is simply a matter of taste.
Read other recent reviews by Andreas Lindahl: The Rocketeer, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Phantom of the Opera
Tracks
1. The Bells of Notre Dame (6:24)
2. Out There (4:25)
3. Topsy Turvy (5:36)
4. Humiliation (1:40)
5. God Help the Outcasts (3:44)
6. The Bell Tower (3:05)
7. Heaven's Light/Hellfire (5:24)
8. A Guy Like You (2:54)
9. Paris Burning (1:56)
10. The Court of Miracles (1:27)
11. Sanctuary! (6:02)
12. And He Shall Smite the Wicked (3:30)
13. Into the Sunlight (2:09)
14. The Bells of Notre Dame (1:11)
15. Someday (4:20)
16. God Help the Outcasts (3:27)
Total duration: 57 minutes
Awards Golden Globes: Best Original Score (Nominee)
Oscars: Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score (Nominee)
Suggestions
The Best Disney Soundtracks
         
Soundtracks from the collection: Disney
        
Soundtracks from the collection: Kids
       
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