The Matrix: Original Motion Picture Score

Musically avant-garde elements have been utilized in film scores for decades, usually as shock elements to denote horror or the otherworldly. In recent times, modern composer Philip Glass has enjoyed varying degrees of success adapting his minimalist techniques to film scoring. Given that background, Don Davis's powerful, innovative score to the Wachowski brothers' 1999 sci-fi hit The Matrix has all the makings of a landmark. Utilizing his extensive interest and training in the avant-garde, Davis has composed what's been touted as the first "New York school postmodern" film score, a jarring departure from his hugely successful work as an orchestrator of such populist fare as Titanic, Pleasantville, A Bug's Life, and Toy Story. The Matrix weds Davis's mastery of musical detail and coloration to a largely atonal postmodern concerto that's complex, dark, and unrelenting. Many film scores have driven tonal writing and heroic motifs into the ground; Davis's deft, sparing use of them here places them in stark, effective relief. The Matrix offers up a rewarding orchestral challenge that may just be a decade--or two--ahead of its time. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Perfect

It was exactly as I expected. What I didn't expect though was that it was in perfect condition; not even a scuff on the disk. Thanks! September 8, 2008

10 Tracks, Not Much of Matrix Music

You people should download WinMX. Heres what i mean. If you want the real first Matrix score

The Matrix (Complete Score) - 01 - I Think We Can Handle One Little Girl
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 02 - Fellow the White Rabbit
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 03 - I Can Guide You
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 04 - What Good Is A Phone Call
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 05 - We Think You're Bugged
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 06 - No One Can Be Told
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 07 - Welcome To the Real World
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 08 - Rest, Neo...The Answers Are Coming
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 09 - This Will Feel... A Little Weird
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 10 - Fate, It Seems
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 11 - I Know Kung-Fu
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 12 - Show Me
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 13 - Morpheus Is Fighting Neo!
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 14 - Whoa!
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 15 - If You Are Not One Of Us
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 16 - Squiddies, Sweepin' In Quick
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 17 - Ignorance Is Bliss
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 18 - We're In
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 19 - Really Good Noodles
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 20 - There Is No Spoon
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 21 - Smell Good, Don't They
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 22 - Deja Vu
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 23 - They're In the Walls!
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 24 - You All Look the Same To Me
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 25 - Noooooo!
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 26 - I Believe I Can Bring Him Back
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 27 - Guns, Lots Of Guns
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 28 - You're Going To Tell Me
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 29 - Please Remove Any Metallic Items
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 30 - Freeze!
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 31 - There Is No Spoon.
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 32 - I Repeat, We Are Under Attack
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 33 - Tank, I Need A Pilot Program
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 34 - Do You Believe It Now, Trinity
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 35 - They're Not Out Yet...
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 36 - Neo, I Want To Tell You Something
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 37 - He's Beginning To Believe
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 38 - Mr. Wizard, Get Me the Hell out of Here
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 39 - Goodbye...Mr. Anderson
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 40 - He Is the One
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 41 - I'm Going To Show These People
The Matrix (Complete Score) - 42 - What Is the Matrix May 8, 2006

Not as Expected

I heard the score to the Matrix Revolutions film and was impressed... Therefore I decided to take a shot at the unforgettable Original Matrix; which was a mistake. This score doesn't move the emotional nerve nearly as much as the third counterpart. Don't bother if you can help it September 13, 2005

Well, it's cool. Partially.

This Don Davis score is not really a blown opportunity in my humble opinion, but indeed it is a bit messy.
Don Davis has chosen an atonal approach with fluctuating volumes and busy motives underlining the orchestral pulsating. The atonal cues resemble Davis' work on "House on Haunted Hill" (which I prefer).
If only he had spent a bit more score time on tonal action, I think the soundtrack could have been better.
The first, the last and the "Hotel Ambush" cues stand out.

This album is worth picking up if you are a score fan and if it is not too pricy.
If you are a huge fan of tonal orchestral scores, this album is not recommended.
This Matrix certainly is not a Jacobian. September 29, 2004

I waited too long to get this soundtrack

The Matrix is more than a movie to many people, especially my generation: young, defiant, and computer literate.

I knew what I was getting with the soundtrack, having seen the movie itself a million times, and have listened to the following sequel's soundtracks.

Don Davis, at his eerily best.

There is no spoon. November 17, 2003

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