From: Lakeshore Records Average Rating: Binding: Audio CD Format: Soundtrack Label: Lakeshore Records Number of Discs: 1 Release Date: September 05, 2006
Amazon.com: Contemplative and elegiac, this score for Jet Li's martial-arts movie is light years away from your usual Hollywood action music--even when the pace picks up, it remains evocative and elegant, with a tinge of underlying melancholy. For this we have to thank Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi (formerly of the rock band EX), who also gave us marvelous scores for Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love and Zhang Yimou's House of Flying Daggers. Here he relies on roiling percussion, ethereal choirs, and Japanese and Chinese flutes to suggest both the 19th-century setting of the film and an end-of-an-era mood. Look for "Habanera" from Carmen buried toward the end, performed by Japanese soprano Michiko Hayashi and--befitting such a relatively pared-down album--a lone piano. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Great fight scenes! Plenty of great fights scenes and gorgeous cinematography in what is supposedly Jet Li's last martial arts film. Definitely a DVD that you'll want to own, because you'll watch it again and again. The story provides a back drop to the unfortunate history of China's occupation by foreign governments and the susequent abuse of its people and resources. Jet Li's charachter is inspirational and fascinating to watch. Buy it and you'll be glad that you have a copy of your own!
A fitting accompaniment One of the distinguishing marks of a great film is its score. A great soundtrack is in itself beautiful and aids in telling the story, yet does not distract your attention from the events onscreen.
Fearless was aided by a diverse and appropriate film score, ranging from the haunting flute and strings of the main theme to the blood-stirring drums of the fight scene in Shanghai. I was caught off-guard by several tracks on this particular CD that I had missed during the film, but which stand on their own as moving pieces of music.
The only problem with this particular soundtrack CD is that it seems to be plagued by bad recording or production. The treble and bass seem to be off a bit, and I had to play with my equalizer to get a more balanced sound. Also, the volume seems to cut in and out a bit with some tracks. Not enough to be entirely disruptive, but enough that you may notice it. For example, where the drums at the Shanghai fight scene should be loud and deep, they turn out a bit soft and treble-y. This can be mostly remedied by adjusting your equalizer, but for this reason I only gave the product 4 stars.
With that caveat, I highly recommend this CD to everyone who enjoyed the film.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
