Music Composed by Hans Zimmer
Rating: **

Heading up the Dreamworks music department has positioned Hans Zimmer. From the perch of his imposing tower in Santa Monica, Zimmer and his band formerly known as Media Ventures have called down musical thunder from Prince of Egypt to Ants to the Shrek movies. Each has been scored by someone either currently with the company formerly known as Media Ventures or by one of it’s alumni. And, for the most part, the music has run from fun and infectious (Chicken Run) to rousing swashbuckle (Sinbad and The Seven Seas). Infamous for his collaborations, Hans takes James Dooley, James S. Levine, Heitor Pereira and Ryeland Allison along for the ride for additional music, shifting gears from potentially scoring Ridley Scott’s crusade epic Kingdom of Heaven, to the madcap adventures of neurotic zoo animals.

Hans Zimmer

There’s a mini Dreamworks Animation musical legacy taking form, with Prince of Egypt and Antz actually considered modern classics. Zimmer and Co. stumbled somewhat with the unfunny Shark Tale, so the question was whether or not Madagascar would lean towards the more traditional score approach, or be content to mix score and pop-chart-friendly tunes spun out for album sales. Sadly, the results are more Shark Tale than Chicken Run. At least if you’re considering the contents of this album. Filled with mostly throw-away songs (I mean, come on, as great as it is, who needs another CD with Louis Armstrong gurgling on about “What A Wonderful World” we live in?), the disc only features ten-and-a-half minutes of score. And considering it’s not Zimmer piloting the ship alone — with no less than five composers credited — you’re getting minimal Zim in the mix. (Considering it took two people to write this review, are five film composers really that much?).

Sacha Baron Cohen blurting “I Like To Move It”, and dusty needle-drops like Vangelis’ “Chariots of Fire” aren’t going to make a classic album. So what about the score? It’s fun, but certainly not top flight music. The main theme, “Best Friends”audio clip is agreeable, and features some interesting orchestration with whistling, but it ultimately will remind the listener of Zimmer’s vastly superior song for Johnny English.

The score highlights end up being the Zimmer solo efforts: “Zoosters Breakout”audio clip, a lively action cue (why isn’t more music like this on the album?) and Zimmer’s adaptation of John Barry’s famous theme from Born Free (which, when an adaption of an old film theme is a highlight, is saying something). While quite lovely (and what John Barry theme isn’t?), it’s distracting. The rest of the album just varies from the typical formerly-Media Ventures blasting comedy style in James Dooley’s rollicking “Whacked Out Conspiracy”” to just plain weird (”The Foosa Attack” — reheated Lion King leftovers?).

So, why two notes after wiping my feet allover Madagascar? Because the music, even though there’s not a lot of it, is pleasantly enjoyable and a brisk listen. The recording is crisp and vibrant, and seems a lot less muddled than recent formerly-Media Ventures albums. If you’re got the Crimson Tide cover art tattooed on your arse (or, what is commonly referred to as a “Zimmer/Media Ventures completist”), I can very mildly recommend Madagascar. Otherwise, call up the Prince of Egypt or dial in some Antz for examples of truly high quality animated music from Zimmer and his band of merry men.

Original Music by Hans Zimmer; Addtional Music by Ryeland Allison, James Dooley, James S. Levine and Heitor Pereira; Score Recorded by Geoff Foster / Mixed by Al Clay, Alan Meyerson; Produced by Melissa Muik; Availability: In print; Label (Catalogue): Geffen, (B0004695-02); Release Date: May 24, 2005

01. Best Friends (2:24) audio clip
Music by Hans Zimmer, Heitor Pereira,
Ryeland Allison and James S. Levine
02. I Like To Move It - Vocals: Sacha Baron Cohen (3:51)
03. Hawaii Five-O - Performed by The Ventures (1:49)
04. Boogie Wonderland - Performed by Earth, Wind & Fire (4:49)
05. Whacked Out Conspiracy (2:16)
Music by James Dooley
06. Chariots Of Fire - Performed by Vangelis (3:29)
07. Stayin’ Alive - Performed by Bee Gees (4:44)
08. Zoosters Breakout (1:39) audio clip
Music by Hans Zimmer
09. Born Free (1:24)
Music by John Barry
Arranged by Hans Zimmer
10. The Foosa Attack (0:37)
Music by Heitor Pereira
11. Beacon Of Liberty (2:09)
Music by Hans Zimmer, James S. Levine
12. What A Wonderful World - Performed by Louis Armstrong (2:16)

Total Playing Time: 31′27