2046 [Enhanced, Import, Soundtrack]

Few soundtracks have impressed me these days, but 2046 has been a superb enjoyment. I haven't even seen the movie before I bought the soundtrack, but after visiting official websites, and heard bits of it playing in the background, I knew this was going to be no ordinary soundtrack for a chinese movie.

It's an entrancing soundtrack from start to finish with dark, dramatic orchestrals, a few catchy upbeat songs, and moody jazz.

There really isn't a track I don't like, but my personal favs are:

1. 2046 Main Theme (With Percussion)/(Rumba version) - One of the most entrancing opening track, simply amazing. The rumba version is also a really nice dance worthy track, pretty romantic with the violin.

2. Siboney and Siboney Instrumental - At first I got a bit annoyed with how loud Connie Francis sounded as she sang, but after a couple of listens, it definitely grows on you. The instrumental version is more upbeat and party like.

3. Sway - I never realized this song had many covers, but Dean Martin makes a fine rendition, pretty classic.

4. Julien et Barbara - Sad and melancholic, yet still retains a certain air of beauty.

5. Polonaise - Probably my favorite instrumental track on the album. Pretty waltzy without being annoying, there's just something about it that makes it seem magical.

6. Lost - Even more dramatic and sad than "Julien et Barbara", the clarinet really hits the emotional spot.

7. Dark Chariot - A simple waltzy piano tune, very pretty.

8. Sisyphos At Work - A jazz club-like song with great sax with a mix of strings, the song runs a bit long though.

9. Decision - For a while I thought I heard this song had a familiar melody, and it does retake the melody from "Lost" but was redone by a different composer. There's a definite difference here, shorter but just as compelling.

10. Adagio - This is probably the "love theme" I would consider for the entire movie. If there's any song on this album that would express "love" it's this song. Utterly beautiful violin work.

In essence, this an album you won't be disappointed with. It's hard to believe this is a soundtrack made in 2004, it sounds like a time-worn piece of work that was uncovered, dusted, cleaned and remastered for the modern listener. The movie is equally as poetic as its soundtrack, people should also give the movie a shot.

The main theme is very reminiscent of Michael Nyman's "Memorial" from the gastro-visual movie, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover.

2046 is very typical of French-scored soundtracks. The added feature is Angela Gheorghiu's rendition of the bel canto classic (originally by Maria Callas) of Casta Diva, featured in Norma opera.

I found the remainder of the songs on this soundtrack evokative and emotional.

I knew while I was watching this film that I had to have the soundtrack. What I didn't know was how difficult it would be to find it. I wrote to Sony Pictures, and to the music reviewer of the LA Times (which gave the soundtrack a rave review), but no one answered my emails as to where I could buy the soundtrack. I finally found it at Amazon MarketPlace and I was just thrilled. (It is, by the way, listed as an import. From China, I guess.) I love the music. It's all delightful. I want to say it is "hardy" and soft and surprising from track to track.

This is not the first time (by far) that I have tried, with no luck, to buy a soundtrack after having seen a movie... I wonder why this is? Film distributors and studios don't want to sell soundtracks? Ah well, I think they live in a world of their own anyway......

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 10 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars