Search - Matthew Broderick, Various Artists, Nathan Lane :: The Producers (2005 Movie Soundtrack)

Funny Musical Soundtrack

Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 03/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you thought movie musicals had died, you were probably mostly right. However, every once in a while someone tries another one. Some succeed, most fail. However, the quality of the music from these movies is often quite different from the movie itself. Such is the case with this soundtrack. Mel Brooks, the man who brought you the classics "Young Frankenstein," "Blazing Saddles," and "High Anxiety," gives us the music from the movie "The Producers."



The music is classic Hollywood, with a style that dates back to the 50s and 60s. I was also fascinated that Hollywood actors could pull off these songs with such class and style. There are a few hiccups along the way, such as Uma Thurman's weak vocals on "That Face," but so much of this music is original and fresh with its classic inspiration.



Many of the songs deliberately provoke smiles. "Haben Sie Gehort Das Deutsche Band?" sung by Will Ferrell makes you smile, though much of it is in German. Ignore other comments about "Springtime for Hitler." The song is funny and John Barrowman, Uma Thurman and the ensemble pull off a song that owes much inspiration to movie musicals of the 30s. Yes, the war has been over for more than half a century, but if we can still poke fun at Custer, the Pilgrims and the Inquisition, why not poke more fun at Hitler? Admittedly, he is an easy target, but so was Custer. How about "Heil Myself," with the line "...there is no greater dictator in the land..."? This stuff is a riot. Note for Naziphobes: This music pokes fun at Nazis rather than elevating them, so watch this movie with tongue-in-cheek.



Musically there are some awesome moments. "You'll Find Your Happiness in Rio" is musically inspired, even if the lyrics are cheesy.



There are a few moments where Nathan Lane pulls off a song that should have been impossible. "Betrayed" is a riot, and yet Lane manages to sing so dramatically that you believe that he is actually hurt, until he sings lyrics that make you crack up.



Perhaps the best thing about this album is its bombast. The production is explosive and hyper-dramatic, with sound alternately quiet and blasting, the instruments jumping into your face. I am always enthused about a producer who likes to make you jump into the music, particularly if the music is worth jumping into.



I rarely purchase or listen to soundtracks because they are too filled the kind of music that is interesting if you have had three or four drinks, but otherwise it is barely elevator music. This CD has music that may be short of great, but it is enjoyable and frequently funny. If you liked the movie, I suspect you'll love the CD. If you like musicals, most especially funny musicals, then I suspect you will love this CD.



Good luck!



This review is based on a copy of the CD provided to me for review.

"

Better than Broadway -- Here's why:

B. Randall | Plano, TX USA | 02/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To me, it was obvious from the first listening... Having heard both the movie soundtrack and the original Broadway cast recording, when the same songs are performed by the same actors, the movie versions are livelier and funnier! Why, I wondered?



Then it struck me -- the original cast recording session typically takes place at the BEGINNING of the show's run on Broadway. Therefore, that CD captures the actors' EARLIEST takes on these songs.



The film soundtrack, on the other hand, has an enormous benefit: it comes AFTER the cast members have played these parts and honed their connections with the songs over hundreds of performances. The comic timing and inflections that naturally evolve over time are present only on the movie soundtrack, and we reap the benefits!



Yes, the movie soundtrack is missing some numbers featured on the cast recording, and vice versa, and Uma Thurman's voice is (as we might expect) not as strong as Cady Huffman's. If you are a HUGE fan of this show, by all means buy BOTH the movie soundtrack and the original Broadway cast recording -- but if you only want one, the movie soundtrack is what I recommend."

One for the library!

John-paul W. Meyer | Lancaster, PA | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although the movie may have been less than the stellar hit that was hoped for, the album carries the day. It contains almost all of the music heard on the movie, with some dialogue exceptions, and even includes a bonus track not included in the movie. By far my favorite is the title credit version of "Guten Tag Hap-Clap."



The cast is also wonderful. Not only do you hear the original Broadway stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in their original roles, you also get Will Ferrel playing the hillarious role of Franz Liebkind but also Uma Thurman as the dazzling Ulla flaunting (and belting) all the way. All in all, a great buy, and well worth the add to the library!"