Record Label: Sony BMG
Genre: Film Score
Band Link: link
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I may have blinked, but this movie was released right? Perhaps I was out of the country but I didn’t know this was released yet. Whether or not you saw Charlotte’s Web or not, the score is out and it’s from the one and only, Danny Elfman. The score is playful, but at the same time it’s got that Elfman style; if you liked his scores for Sommersby and Big Fish, you’ll enjoy this one as well.

I remember reading Charlotte’s Web and seeing some cartoon but I don’t really remember the story that well. Hey, I had ADD ok, or I was completely bored with it. Charlotte’s the spider right? Or is it the pig? Anyway, the movie has an all-star cast including Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning, Steve Buscemi, Oprah, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Robert Redford, Kathy Bates, and many more! Geez you think with a cast like that the movie would make more money? Well you should all know the story (even though I don’t) so I don’t need to explain it.

The score for Charlotte’s Web opens like many scores do, with a main title. The theme has a similar sound to previous Elfman scores like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish, Sommersby, and even a little bit of Edward Scissorshands. There’s children singing over the song, and it sort of sounds like playful circus/carnival music but without the carousel motif..If that makes any sense. The rest of the score is very folk-oriented, probably since this takes place on a farm? Dakota Fanning takes a shot at singing in the song “Lullaby/Escape” and does a decent job at it. Besides Dakota singing, the end track is a Sarah McLachlan song called “Ordinary Miracle.” It will probably make most people cry or a little weepy but not me. I do get weepy for songs but just not for this one. The rest of the score is pretty good, and nice to leave on in the background. I think it’s a good Eflman score but not the best one he’s done.

Bottom Line: A nice Danny Elfman score but not the best one he’s ever done.
Notable Tracks: Main Title, Lullaby, Farewell Charlotte, Wilbur’s Homecoming
Overall Rating: