WALL-E

This soundtrack really stands on its own, despite accompanying one of the most achingly beautiful films I have ever seen.

Stanton says in the liner notes that the movie as a whole was a space opera, something he kept emphasizing as Newman composed. Compared to the defining space opera, the original Star Wars trilogy, there are rather a lot of differences. Williams' score in Star Wars had a clear sense of accoustics and an expansive staging that translated even while watching the film. With a good sound system, you can almost imagine an orchestra pit just below the screen. The score seemed to come from the eternally romantic Star Wars universe itself, boldly proclaiming its themes of good, evil, love, and war.

Newman's score for WALL-E, on the other hand, has a sonically closed or condensed aspect to it that draws you in closer to the intimate world of its inhabitants. As breathtaking as Stanton's vision of outer space turns out to be, you are still invited to experience it through the eyes of a newcomer, a little robot who, like yourself, has never been there before. Rather than coming from the universe, the soundtrack to WALL-E seems rather to simply be the music that accompanies the imaginative, curious, and ultimately wonderstruck mind.

Although I liked nearly all of it, EVE stood out as my favorite individual track. In all I recommend the album, especially to those who enjoyed the movie.

I saw "WALL-E" the other night, and it truly is a magical film. I think the folks at Pixar have got some Oscars coming to them for this one! I also predict that two of those Oscars will be for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, both of which can be found right here on the wonderful "WALL-E" soundtrack. Thomas Newman's score is at turns delightful, quirky, and beautiful, while Peter Gabriel's song, "Down To Earth" (co-written with Newman), which plays over the film's end credits, is simply an uplifting joy. I sincerely hope that both Newman and Gabriel are justly rewarded at the Academy Awards for their marvelous "WALL-E" music. And, as an added bonus, the "WALL-E" soundtrack also includes Louis Armstrong's whimsical treatment of the old Edith Piaf fave, "La Vie En Rose," as well as the film's signature song, "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" (from "Hello Dolly"). There's also a few soundbites from the movie scattered throughout. So, what's not to like about the "WALL-E" soundtrack? It's a wonderful CD, and I highly recommend it. (And go see the movie too!)

In a film where there is not a word of dialogue from your main character for over half an hour, the score has a special duty. Whereas it might take a backseat in films with action and elaborate monologues to care our auditory senses along, WALL·E's design forces Thomas Newman to stand in the foreground, pants down, exposed to the audience. In some ways WALL·E marks a touch of the standard fare for Thomas Newman. At first impression it could be suggested that his particular brand of restraint toward an overly-developed set of themes and motifs might be inappropriate for a large fun sci-fi outing. However, Newman makes no apologies for his consistent use of light and airy orchestrations and without a doubt, it raises up the film.

While fans of recent Pixar films may be hyped up on the delightful and more pronounced themes Michael Giacchino, it would be hard to argue that he could match Newman in the realm of tone. And WALL·E, despite its very well-paced plot is a film that relies on tone.

There is no cohesive set of themes in WALL·E. There are no really action-packed cues to get our hearts pumping. Instead, we are presented with music that defines its world. In the year 2815 AD there is one robot left to clean up the garbage left behind on earth. It is a new but familiar world. One which requires a tonal introduction. Newman obliges. From the first cue "2815 AD" (following "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" from "Hello Dolly!") Newman creates a fantasy tone for us that drags us into a world with one occupant left. The spine-tingling chord shifts and arpeggiated harp immediately create a feeling of isolation that gives form to the earth of the future. This musical thought is followed up at the end of the film in "Horizon 12.2" but with the isolation feeling substituted with a sense of curiosity in the music. While this styling has not become standard fare for sci-fi movies in the past few years. One need only look at Jerry Goldsmith's score for Alien (which Newman seems to pay homage to) to find the value of tonal science- fiction music.

Newman has managed to tap in to the brainwaves of his main character. The tone of the music often follows closely the mindset of WALL·E and helps us along when WALL·E's thoughts might be a little unclear for us. Newman also relies heavily on his established use of rhythmic strings and staccato brass to drive the film from point to point. Perhaps the most interesting new element would be the introduction of the Harp which expertly serves to levitate or add mystery to the cues it graces. The only downside to the construction of these cues may be that rarely is a theme allowed to fully develop within a cue. But, that kind of imitates the pattern of the story. WALL·E is not allowed his expression of love for EVE to play out until the end of the film. Cues like "Define Dancing" serve to express those feelings but never let them reach their conclusion. While not necessarily helpful for those who might want to listen to the score on its own, it works splendidly in the film.

For those bombastic action moments Newman has no trouble giving us some full orchestrations. The momentum in "EVE Retrieve", "Rogue Robots", and "Hyperjump" drive along their respective scenes without becoming overly thematic. They just move well. Also fun and charming are the themes for EVE and WALL·E which were co-written with Peter Gabriel. WALL·E's is light and quirky, while EVE's is flowing and graceful. Perhaps the most fun in the score however is Newman's short jingle for the "BNL" company, sure to amuse.

Overall, fans should find the score to be a strong addition to Newman's personal brand of sensitive and emotion driven tones. While, there could have been more thematic development in places, the score serves the film without ever getting in its way, which is quite a feat considering its prominence.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 43 reviews  4.6 out of 5 stars