170 replies to this topic

[Xenobia]

Originally posted by marktmurphy
Besides, I rather feel the English theme, whilst played in a very Bond-like style in the first track, stands on its own rather well. And the music actually manages to evoke some emotion in places, unlike the dirge Arnold was inspired to feed to us last time. Howard Goodall is quite a talented man, I feel; having come up with the themes for many British comedy greats over the years.

I agree with you on all your points Mark (and yours too Jack, when it comes to DA). The music does stand well on its own, but at the same time....I just don't know. There's spoofing, there's parody...and then there's stealing.

I guess the best comparison I think of is the difference between paraphrasing and plagarism. What bothers me about the Johnny English score is it is sitting on the fence between the two.

-- Xenobia

[marktmurphy]

I really don't know what you mean. The JE theme is quite different to the Bond theme(and good) and show me a Bond score that uses this much jazz (yeah, I know the Bond theme is jazz; but not quite as straight as this). Is it the Latino thing that worries you? (Performed by someone entirely different to the composer incidentally; a pop quartet named Bond). Its just that the two were made at the same time more or less (don't forget it came out in the states a long time after it was released here) so stealing is a nasty wrd to be throwing around.

They both have Aston Martins in too. Shock.

[Dunph]

Definitely Mark. The score is a parody of David Arnold's style. Shearmur just has it off the pat, it's a brilliant score, and it does not in any way steal from any Bond work. To do that Bond riffs and cues would have to be used, and I hear none other than Shearmur's clever emulation of the Bond sound and use of the Tomorrow Never Dies/The World is not Enough style electronics.

There's a cue in the Austin Powers soundtrack that almost mirrors Arnold's "Company Car" from Tomorrow Never Dies. It sounds a LOT closer to Arnold's work than Shearmur's does when compared. Still, it is merely an emulation of the style.

The 'latino' JE Theme performed by Bond but composed by Shearmur/Goodall was used in the film at a party. If I'm not wrong, the post-production of this film in relation to Die Another Day's release would have meant that Shearmur and Goodall would have already written the cues to the film.

[Bryce (003)]

Enjoyed the film and the CD.

BTW - The title track is called "Man for All Seasons".

[JackChase007]

Actually, I thought that the song "A Man For All Seasons" was wrongly placed in the movie. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the song almost as much as I do the rest of the music, but it just seemed out of place for the main titles montage. They should have used the "Theme From Johnny English" track during the main titles, and used the Robbie Williams song for the closing credits, as they did in the final print.

[Dunph]

I remember thinking that the tune wasn't very memorable over the theme song, so I'd agree that it wasn't very well placed. If I'm not wrong, when I saw it, the Moloko track played over the end titles.

[Xenobia]

I wish I knew musical terms so I could explain what I mean. The best I can do is tell you that even though I know the notes are not the same, the way they come together, the effect, the tone, reminds me of Barry and Arnold.

And yes, I know the difference between Bond the movie, and Bond the quartet. I actually own Bond's albums.

I don't know, I just know the JE soundtrack hits my ears the same was the Best of Bond hits my ears.

-- Xenobia

[JackChase007]

Dunphboy - was it Moloko? For some reason, I thought they played the Williams song, if not the whole time, then at least at just the beginning, but it has been awhile since I've seen it, so I could very well be dead wrong.

[Dunph]

Robbie Williams' track played at the start when English was making his way through the halls of government and got lost. I haven't seen it since April, but I'm sure the Moloko one played over the end as opposed to the Robbie one playing again.

[Blofeld's Cat]

The RW song sounds very 60's and it reminds me of a bygone song, but for the life of me I can't put my finger on it.

[Xenobia]

"A Man For All Seasons" sort of reminds me of something the Monkees would sing.

-- Xen

[trs007]

I thought the song was wonderful and an excellent and witty song for a psy-spoof movie. I certainly enjoyed it more on the first listen than I did in 11/02 when I first had the song to DAD. Since Sheamur didn't do the song, the song doesn't blend as music with the music he created for the film (think Spy Hard's title song and music--all written by Bill COnti). I found the other music a nice homage to Barry and Arnold, and, while contributing to this thread, found the movie fun and charming. Looking forward to the region 1 DVD.

[marktmurphy]

Originally posted by Xenobia
I wish I knew musical terms so I could explain what I mean.  The best I can do is tell you that even though I know the notes are not the same, the way they come together, the effect, the tone, reminds me of Barry and Arnold.

That's the point. Its supposed to remind you of Barry and Arnold.

And yes, I know the difference between Bond the movie, and Bond the quartet.  I actually own Bond's albums.

Never said you don't.

I don't know, I just know the JE soundtrack hits my ears the same was the Best of Bond hits my ears.

What?

[JackChase007]

Originally posted by trs007
I thought the song was wonderful and an excellent and witty song for a psy-spoof movie.  I certainly enjoyed it more on the first listen than I did in 11/02 when I first had the song to DAD.  Since Sheamur didn't do the song, the song doesn't blend as music with the music he created for the film (think Spy Hard's title song and music--all written by Bill COnti).  I found the other music a nice homage to Barry and Arnold, and, while contributing to this thread, found the movie fun and charming.  Looking forward to the region 1 DVD.

Does anyone know when the Region 1 DVD is to be released?

[Xenobia]

Hey Mark:

I know you never said that I didn't own the Bond collection, I just wanted to make it clear that I did know the difference between Bond the character and Bond the string quartet.

As for my last comment, I meant that the songs from Barry that I hear on the JE soundtrack are all on the the Best of Bond CD.

-- Xenobia

[marktmurphy]

Um, okay. It seems a little strange to answer questions no-one asked: i.e the Bond/Bond thing. A bit like bringing up Colin Salmon in, well, every unrelated conversation I suppose.

And if you are going to spoof a sound, might as well spoof the 'Best' bits, no?



P.S You realise the Bond films are spoofs, don't you?

[Xenobia]

If you mean in the sense that the latter films are spoofing the earlier ones, I've heard that argument, but I would never go so far as to call the series one big spoof.

-- Xen

[marktmurphy]

I think so- they are all overblown with no relation to the real world at all, and are filled with jokes and sight gags (e.g the Aston Martin is one big sight gag: knives coming out of the wheels? An ejector seat? You must be joking. Of course I am.). Its well documented that the series only did so well because Dr No was seen by everyone as one big joke: so I'm afraid I see it as one big spoof right from the beginning. (And don't forget that the novel of Dr No was even more ridiculous).

[Brix Bond]

" "A Man For All Seasons" sort of reminds me of something the Monkees would sing."



Just leave.

[Blofeld's Cat]

No, it's "Monkeys" like to my ear, it's another band. I almost get it in my mind then it goes away.

I hate that!

[Von Hammerstein]

The title song "A Man For All Seasons" reminded me of the spy spoofs from the 60's. Really it touched on the themes from the Charles Vine film "The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wide World" sung by Sammy Davis Jr. and also "Your Zowie Face" from "In Like Flint". It's fun a nostalgic at the same time. I often find myself humming it at work.

[Xenobia]

You are right VH, "A Man for All Seasons" definately has that 60's uptempo feel to it. I kept thinking how well it would work in a Connery Bond movie.

-- Xenobia

[trs007]

Originally posted by JackChase007


Does anyone know when the Region 1 DVD is to be released?

According to Amazon, 1-13-04. NOt too must detail on what extras, etc.

[Triton]

According to mi6.co.uk, Variety reported that a sequel to Johnny English is expected for 2005. Will Davies is expected to write the screenplay.

You can read this news item at:

Rowan Atkinson eyes 007 spoof `Johnny English` sequel for 2005...

[doublenoughtspy]

Cool. I enjoyed the first one ("The only thing the French can host is an invasion"). I hope the 2nd one is as good or better.

[JackChase007]

Hell yeah. I hope they bring back Edward Shearmur to compose the score. He did a fantastic job with the first one.

[Athena007]

I really don't care too much for "Bond" spoofs... BUT... I really enjoyed "Johnny English" I think the main reason being I can't get enough of Rowan Atkinson. So yay... a Johnny English 2 wonderful!

[terminus]

What does everyone want to actually see in Johnny English 2 ?

Johnny English: To Serve and Protect

Johnny is assigned to protect the British PM at a conference in Texas but the PM is kidnapped. Johnny ( with the able Bough at his side ) is quite able to rescue the PM who orders an immediate hike in oil prices. As a result, petrol prices in the UK rise to an amazing level and an oil baron who had previously opposed the PM ( who had wanted to lower oil prices ) is suddenly knighted and Johnny is assigned to protect him. But Johnny becomes suspicious of the oil baron and his connections to an exotic female plastic surgeon ( from Venezuela or somewhere such ) to whom he has payed out several million dollars. Johnny stumbles onto a plot to hike the oil prices by replacing the British PM with a substitute and teams up with the plastic surgeon to restore the true PM to power.

Nona Gaye as The Plastic Surgeon
Hugo Weaving as The Oil Baron


What does anyone think the sequel will be like ?

[INTREPID]

I'm still in shock that Richard Curtis and Ben Elton weren't attached to the first one. The lavatory humour, the irrational hatred of everything French... baffling. Play on!

[CommanderBond]

i didnt really like the first one. so im prolly not going to see that one.