Arsène Lupin
There are many reviewers out there that herald Batman
as the greatest comic book score ever.
Those reviewers go on to complain about how disappointing the Batman
Returns score was, and they lament the loss of the classical approach to
grand comic book hero film scoring that – in my opinion – started and died with
the Batman franchise. A score like Batman is hard to come by
these days with scores like Pirates of the Caribbean becoming the
money-bringers for record companies and the choice of many movie
producers.
It’s no wonder many people in the States would be unfamiliar
with Arsène Lupin. I’m one
of those unfamiliar with the film and whatever literature it’s derived
from. One thing’s for sure, it’s a
popular character in Europe, more so in France since the film is French (I put
two and two together). Arsène
Lupin was composed by Debbie Wiseman an English composer not widely known
in the States but employed quite a bit in Europe ,
mainly in England . The large budget of the film, the scope of
the story, and the popularity of the character demanded an equally large
score. The end result is a score of
suspense, mystery, drama, humor, romance, and some action.
Wiseman’s score is one for the film score history
books. Her complex orchestral layers are
reminiscent of Elfman’s Batman.
The score is epic employing powerful, jazzy fanfares, heavy percussion
at times, ballroom music, and dark choir.
The gothic setting of the film required a dark score and so Wiseman
unleashed her dark side on “The Needle of Etretat,” “Theft of the Crucifix,”
and most notably “Field of Lupins” where she pulls out all the stops and uses
choir to amplify the sinister setting.
Arsène Lupin is rich with themes. Some cues are action packed developing the
main fanfare amid the chaotic scoring, while other cues are comedic and a few
are waltz dances like “The Ballroom.”
Two tracks contain militaristic percussion amplifying the scope of the
score in “Arsène Deserted” and “Arsène Escapes.”
With strong, sweeping string swells, loud trumpet fanfares
and shrills, heavy percussion and gothic choir, Wiseman fully covers the score
canvas turning her score into an epic masterpiece. Arsène Lupin is arguably one of
the great scores in the past decade.
Many listeners recall being taken back to when they heard Batman
for the first time and re-experiencing a powerful, symphonic wonder when
listening to this score. This was my
first Debbie Wiseman score and it certainly won’t be my last! It’s worth checking out!
My rating: 4 ½ stars
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