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Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
 An Amazing Score That Isn't Afraid To Make You Emotionally Vulnerable Yet Still Manages To Echo Themes Of Honor & Courage March 18, 2010
Kaya Savas (North Hollywood, CA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
The Pacific is the new miniseries on HBO that takes a look at WWII in the Pacific Theatre, which is mostly looked over in films and TV. The Thin Red Line is so far the best war film that deals with the fight in this particular area. Of course if you've seen Band Of Brothers then you'll know that these Spielberg/Hanks produced miniseries aren't Malickian in nature. They are about telling the stories of the heroics, courage and honor of the men who fought and died. The score had to reflect this.
The unbelievable task of scoring this monster epic series was handed to Hans Zimmer, Geoff Zanelli and Blake Neely. Zanelli has stated that he spent 9 months working on this. The score itself is not an action score if that's what you're expecting. Think The Thin Red Line but woven with the heroism found in Zimmer's score for Pearl Harbor. The score is an immense journey of tragedy, sacrifice and finding strength within.
There are certain cues on this release that I found just absolutely stirring. Tracks like "We've Gone Respectable", "Even The Trees Hate Us" and "Where Do We Go From Here" will shake your emotional core. Truly beautiful and moving music that reflects the stories being told. The score is not afraid to embrace the darkness of war, which so many scores do not. Most scores like Saving Private Ryan and Flags Of Our Fathers, while great, will stick only to the heroic route and never say "Hey, this is terrible stuff and I'm going to make you feel emotionally vulnerable now." That's what The Pacific does. It makes you feel emotionally vulnerable. Not so much as to the extent The Thin Red Line did, which is a score you should never listen to you unless you're prepared to shed some tears. Here the composers successfully examine the darkness of war but they keep it within the POV of the American soldiers. You won't find any ethnic sounds or arrangements here.
The main theme for The Pacific is entitled "Honor", which says a lot about the focus of this amazing score. Zimmer, Zanelli & Neely were all perfect for the project. Neely especially seems befitting since he worked a lot with the late Michael Kamen who scored Band Of Brothers. This CD release is mostly representative of Zanelli's and Neely's work with a touch of Zimmer. Remember though, this is merely the surface of the score which spans 10 episodes. If you're a fan of the genre I urge you take a listen and if you're a fan of the composers then it's a no brainer. What we have here is something memorable. The composers should be extremely proud of their work here.
Melancholy and emotional March 9, 2010
D. J. Nardi (Washington, DC)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I haven't seen "The Pacific" miniseries yet, so I don't know how well the soundtrack fits the film. However, standing alone, The Pacific soundtrack is pretty good. It is pretty low key, and often very melancholy. There's certainly nothing like the heart-pounding battle tracks in Hans Zimmer's Gladiator or the emotional highs of Pearl Harbor. Nonetheless, The Pacific seems well suited for a historical drama about war. Even without having seen the series, the music's sadness strikes me as very appropriate given the horrors of the Pacific front. If I were to rate music on its ability to emotional move me, The Pacific definitely gets 5 stars. I only wish the song about the atomic bomb ("New Kind of Bomb") had been more memorable or distinct from the rest of the track. It seems like if any track should stand out, that would be it.
The Pacific soundtrack April 21, 2010
Barbara Mcvaney (WESTON, WV)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
We purchased the soundtrack to the mini-series THE PACIFIC, because when we listened to the preview tracks, we knew it was perfect for our needs. You see, my husband and I own, operate, and curate THE MOUNTAINEER MILITARY MUSEUM, in Weston, WV. The soundtrack, which loops constantly, has added to the reverence of our displays. I love it when the visitors say, "The music is sad". I say, "Exactly, right!". When visiting the Museum, and listening to the music, if you don't leave with a lump in your throat, or a knot in you stomach, or you are visiably 'moved to tears', then you don't understand our veterans service, sacrifice, and for some...the ultimate price that was paid...for US.
ANOTHER VICTORY IN 'THE PACIFIC' April 14, 2010
J. Rickley Dumm
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
WONDERFUL SCORE! ANOTHER SYMPHONY FOR THE 21st CENTURY BY ZIMMER, ZANELLI, AND NEELY. IT LOCKS UP AND CAPTURES THE SENSE AND SENSIBILITIES OF WORLD WAR II AND PAYS TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PAID WITH THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM. 'THE PACIFIC' FEELS THE SACRIFICE.
Great score! June 25, 2010
Aggieman
As I was watching this mini-series, I was struck by the emotionality of the main and end themes. So when I found this release, I had to have it just for those two tracks. The entire score does not disappoint in any way, shape or form. The piece accompanying Sledge's first action on Pelileu is heart-pounding.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
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