<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Soundtrack The music for this visually arresting film is almost as proudly derivative as is the film itself of motifs from the 1930s and 40s, but it’s produced and arranged with unflagging panache and a real mastery of dynamics. With the able assistance of the London Metropolitan Orchestra and emerging jazz artist Jane Monheit, composer Edward Shearmur pulls out the stops. The former Royal College of Music student has an impressive resume. He got his start in films by playing keyboards on Michael Kamen’s score for the James Bond film License to Kill. Later he helped orchestrate for such films as Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Shearmur debuted on his own in 1991 with his critically acclaimed music for The Cement Garden. The music for Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is no let-down – it’s exciting, muscular, and in places downright thrilling.

Shearmur gets things started with a rousing if slightly tongue-in-cheek opener, “The World of Tomorrow,” which introduces the brassy Indiana Jones-ish theme that he weaves through the rest of the selections. His sure touch brings vivid color to the strings and wistful longing to some of the quieter passages. But there are few of those – it’s an action-packed movie, and the score reflects this. Listen in particular to the way he uses high notes on the flutes to top off the most pulsating passages. From the exotic strains of “Flight to Nepal,” where one can almost see the mountains, to the clapping, relentless percussion throughout “Manta Squadron” and “Flying Serpent,” the disc makes great driving music for the car.

Shearmur has delivered a delightful score that really entertains with its sweep and appropriately epic feel. And the inclusion of the vocal track from Jane Monheit, who bravely and confidently tackles the song that essentially defined Judy Garland’s career, “Over the Rainbow,” doesn’t detract one bit from the festivities. In fact, it almost feels like dessert after a very pleasing meal. Ms. Monheit brings some new feeling to the tune, and even takes a few melodic liberties here and there. Listen to the breathless strings behind her in the opening bars; purely delightful! Judy would approve.