Honey, I Shrunk The Kids

Among Disney's classic live action films, Honey I shrunk the Kids is one of the best. The popularity of the film managed to spawn two sequels (about shrunken adults and a blown up baby) and a theme park attraction. The zany concept follows kooky inventor Wayne Szalinsky (Rick Moranis in one of his best roles) and his incredible shrinking machine. Unfortunately, everything goes awry when the machine malfunctions and sends his shrunken children lost in their massive garden fending off against oversized; lawnmowers, ants, scorpions, and sprinklers. In short, HISTK is a fun classic that hasn't become dated despite the test of time. Providing the score to the film was growing composer James Horner who, at the time, was making a big name for himself. The score delivered tons of zany fun but remained unreleased (bootlegs aside) for 20 years. It was worth the wait!

Opening the album are the main titles, which immediately set the tone for the score to come. They are zany enough, employing quick-paced jass music as an underscore while various crazy instruments fly overhead. Simply put, the music is very busy. This follows for the next two tracks, although with percussion added. In 'A New World', Horner uses mysterious rthyms and creeping music that fortunately never gets overused. With 'Scorpion Attack' Horner actually manages to sound like Danny Elfman (in particular Beetlejuice) with his growling monster music and thrills (an organ comes into play for some similar tracks later on). For the character of Wayne Szalinsky Horner combines the xylophone, a harmonica, quiet melodies played on the flute, and fast paced orchestral music (there is a lot of resemblance between this score and Bruce Broughton's work on the sequel Honey I blew Up the Kid). Notable tracks also include the soft wind music in 'Night Time' and the western music in 'Ant Rodeo.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids is proof that classic Horner can be, at times, the best Horner. His unique is stamped all over the score, but still remains to be original in it's own right. As for the soundtrack itself, 20 years was worth the wait. While not Horner's 'best' score, it certainly is one of his most fun. The jazzy rthyms used for the main theme is just as fun when heard in all of the variations. The quirkiness here is also on the level of Thomas Newman. Definitely an album for any true Horner fan or someone who wants to hear Horner in his golden age.