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Men in Black II (MIIB): Music from the Motion Picture
Will Smith
Men in Black II (MIIB): Music from the Motion Picture
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Soundtracks
 
  •  Track Listings (20) - Disc #1

Given the massive box-office success of the original Men in Black, the only real surprise was that it took Hollywood five years to crank out the loopy, CGI-laden sequel. Composer Danny Elfman keeps the original MIB creativ...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Will Smith
Title: Men in Black II (MIIB): Music from the Motion Picture
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: Sony
Original Release Date: 7/3/2002
Re-Release Date: 7/2/2002
Album Type: Soundtrack
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Soundtracks
Styles: Comedy & Spoken Word, Vocal Pop, East Coast, Pop Rap
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 696998629523

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Given the massive box-office success of the original Men in Black, the only real surprise was that it took Hollywood five years to crank out the loopy, CGI-laden sequel. Composer Danny Elfman keeps the original MIB creative team intact, weighing in with a typically energetic orchestral score that dutifully ratchets up the suspense and punctuates the action. But it's a largely connect-the-dots exercise; aside from the deliciously loungy pair of Austin Powers-savvy bossa novas that bookend his work here ("Worm Lounge #1 (Worms in Black)," "Worm Lounge #2"), there's a sometimes uncomfortable lack of originality (let alone melodicism) in much of what remains. The tense, workmanlike efficiency works fine with the film, but longtime fans may find this a decidedly McElfman listening experience. Still, the soundtrack ends on an a pair of appropriately goofy/cheesy notes: Tim Blaney's gravel-voiced Frank the Pug crooning "I Will Survive" with grating canine fervor and the duet of Will Smith and Tra-Knox gettin' jiggy with the hip-hop/Bond music hybrid "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)." --Jerry McCulley

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CD Reviews

Elfman is back in black
Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 11/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Danny Elfman, having scored the first Men in Black is back again scoring the sequel. No other composer could have done it but Danny Elfman. This score is much more groovier than the first. Elfman uses the Men in Black theme much more in this one than in the first. It is not exactly the same as the theme from the first, as little variations are thrown in to make it a bit different. In fact, almost every track uses the M.I.B. theme in some way or another. When you first put the CD in the player, this hip-hop tune starts up. "Worm Lounge #1" is Elfman in crazy form with swinging trumpets, hip-hop bass, and quirky la la vocals. Don't try dancing to this one, it will make you look stupid. Most of the score is groovy sounding with electric guitars along with a rhythm section and a moderately sized orchestra. "Big Jeff" is a thrilling action cue, with firing brass and choir. The chorus is also utilized in other cues, such as "Headquarters". "The Real Story" and "Heart Thump" take a break from the quirkiness music and show a more mellow side. From "The Defense Begins" to "The Finale", the music really takes off and shines. A massive brass section and a thrilling choir showcase these tracks and show Elfman in top form. "I Will Survive", the classic Gloria Gaynor song, shows Tim Blaney singing as "Frank the Pug". It doesn't really sound like singing, but more like talking. Will Smith's song "Black Suits Comin'" is cool and better than his song from the first film. He too is a talented artist and a great actor. However, Elfman is the spotlight of this soundtrack and showcases his incredible writing talents throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable soundtrack."
Really Great Cd, Elfman Keeps Gettin' Cooler and cooler...
Brandon Cutro | 09/14/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, here I am to report on yet another Danny Elfman score. With super-high expectations for the summer box-office, we were expecting some profound movies. What we got was having the top-grossing film of the summer, "Spider-Man", contain an Elfman score! YES! Now I am here to review "Men In Black 2". Although the first movie was done better and the score was a very common thing of the Elfman of that time, his methods have evolved. I sit here listening to a track from the first "MIB". Then, I will put on an "MIB2" song and compare. ...........Done. The verdict: the "MIB2" score is better than that of the first. "Men In Black 2" has a more frenetic feel than the first one. Plus, almost every track ends in one of the billion transformations of the "MIB" theme, which is a good thing. There's J's theme, that kind of Bond-esque "Do do....do do." There's also K's theme, the really light guitar melody, played at its most weirdly heart-wrenching best in the middle of "J Nabbed/K's Back", it is used again, very well, near the end of "The Light". I only have one question, where is Serleena's theme? She is the villain, all villains have themes. The Green Goblin had one, why can't Serleena have one?! Anyway, on "Chop-Chop", she doesn't get a theme but when you listen to it, you kinda sorta get the sense that shes there. "The Chase" is a really cool song, with synth, bongos, and orchestra in the background. You listen to it and its just really cool. It's kinda "slick" (no reference intended), in that way that only Elfman can deliver it to us, his ever adoring fans. Ah, "The Light". It delivers yet another transformation of the "MIB" theme, then after :25 it just calms down. It turns into someting really mellow and yet cosmic and choral at the same time. Elfman then delivers our pseudo love theme for J and Laura. To me, it isn't pseudo at all. It's a damn love theme to me. I think they should have kissed before she left. Crashing into a motif for the re-emergence of Serleena (she looked like an aerial view of Medusa's head). It calms down again with another showing of the love theme, crescendo-ing strings, to............A BANG FINALE!!! I told you all Elfman scores have one. (See: Batman - Original Motion Picture Score, review name "Elfman's Best Action Score). The CD could have done without Frank singing. Overall, BUY IT! Its really a good CD, if you want a cool vibe in your CD player."
Different kind of Elfman; Standard Smith
07/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a half-decent soundtrack. Danny Elfman's work here is good, but it's quite different than his other scores. It's much more lighthearted than his score for MIB1, much like this film's tone. His work here isn't even as good as is other summer score, "Spider-Man." Still, this is a good soundtrack. Will Smith's new song is pretty good, but it's nothing like his previous MIB song. However, this doesn't kill the entire CD...If you like Danny Elfman, buy this disc. If you only like Will Smith buy his new CD (which has this new MIB song on it)."