"XXXcellent Edelman"
Review by Steve Townsley

XXX
7/10

The well-versed moviegoer can probably see what the genesis behind the Vin Diesel action flick XXX is: “James Bond” meets extreme sports, edgier, grittier, and Samuel L. Jackson thrown in for effective cult status. And hey, maybe it works. After all, “XXX 2” is in the works. (Or is that “XXX II”?)
But at any rate, with Rob Cohen directing, a good opportunity arose for Edelman to slip out of comedy-romances and slip back into action music--this is the same composer who gave us the theme from “MacGuyver”, after all.

I haven’t seen the movie yet, despite repeated attempts to induce friends and family to join me. So eventually I’m going to have to go solo to get my Vin Diesel fix. However, here’s the chance for me to write a review based solely on the images that the music inspires, considering the movie’s previews almost screamed “Look for the ‘Music Inspired By’ album!”

Edelman does quite well with the score (yes, the soundtrack without words, for all the music-store clerks out there.) Edelman almost humorously applies ethnic motifs amidst the rock-heavy action music, wasting no time in Track One (“Prague Arrival”), he drops you in the middle of some nefarious intrigue, using a little heroic trumpet and guitar as a brief introduction, followed by a crafty violin-and-mandolin theme which is an unexpected pleasure in this action theme, and brings to mind a very James Bond-like atmosphere (even if the producers were trying to lean away from that…it’s kind of unavoidable to fall back on the classic icon of action films for a little inspiration.)

Track Two (“Washington Searches for the Right Man”) introduces the descending 8-note trumpet motif which repeats itself throughout the score. This sly, almost anti-heroic theme does suggest a lot of attitude, (even much like the Monty Norman Bond theme, because, let’s face it, is the Bond theme really heroic? We associate it with a hero, but it doesn’t imply heroism. Not as much as Barry’s “007” theme does.)

“Czech Cavalry”, the fourth track, is one of those great dark militaristic action-movie marches, and 1:47, you almost wish it would build, Bolero-like into a great flourishing, bombastic anthem—but Edelman gives you just enough and leaves you hungry for more, which in the end, is better than staying too long at the party.

Mr. Edelman is well known (to me, at least, and perhaps to you) for his softer piano themes, and he crafts a good one in Track 6 (“Elena”), which serves as a love theme, of sorts, for the score.

Most of the score is good, symphonic action music, which leans away from the trendy techno-music trends of action films, for the most part, although some electronica-beats do pepper the score from time to time, though not overbearingly so.

If there’s one more track that sounds (and I can’t avoid it) “Bond”-ian…it’s Track 10. There’s the “XXX” theme with guitar, mixed with a little tropical action…I mean, it’s virtually Dr. No in the 21st century. But it’s really good, and it’s almost indicative of Edelman’s own influence on the score, as it slides out of an altogether minor key to sparkle for a few moments before heading back into the action.

The closing track, “X Marks the Spot”, ends the album rather nicely, with a rendition of the theme 8-note “XXX” theme, which is a little light on the techno, but is not drenched in it. And thus brings to a close the first installation of the “XXX” franchise. Edelman’s certainly touched on John Barry’s thematic territory in the past, but with this score he infuses enough attitude and diversity to create a pleasing album for listeners of good action music.

*The Experience-O-Meter displays the track to track listening experience of this soundtrack based on the 5-Star rating given to each track.  It provides a visual depiction of the ebbs and flows of the CD's presentation of the soundtrack.

Referenced Reviews
 

All artwork from XXX  is exclusive property of Varese Sarabande Records (c) 2002. 
 Its appearance is for informational purposes only. Review format version 5.7
 

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