Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt also worked together on various works including the GLADIATOR and INVINCIBLE soundtracks, but don't expect to listen to anything similar, in the score for THE PLEDGE.
Unlike the last few Zimmer scores, which were vast, dramatic, intense and epic, THE PLEDGE, is built on a more down-beat atmosphere (and that’s of course due to the nature of the movie) The score opens with a beautiful and haunting melody sang by a woman and repeated by a violin.
Track02 contains several percussion beats and creates a scary atmosphere. Parts like this can be found a lot in the score -- where percussion, electronic sounds and effects, scary voices, piano, violin, the female voice and mandolin create a creepy atmosphere, like track04, track05, track09, track12, track13, track15.
In track03, the main theme makes its first appearance. It consists of guitar, mandolin, violin and piano and can be heard several times in the film, sometimes in different versions - the main instrument could be piano in one, violin or guitar in other (track07, track08 (more upbeat and fast, played by beautiful guitar), track11, track15).
The score also has a piano theme that can be firstly heard in track06 and repeats itself several times during the film (like in track10). It has a sad and lovely tune, a real treat for the ears!
In track 12 we have the beautiful female voice again in another haunting melody that features great atmosphere, feeling and depth.
Track14 is a combination of all the themes and great parts of the entire score. It consists of the female voice, vastly beautiful and sad piano melodies and the violin for escort-- probably the best track in this album and some of Zimmer's greatest works up-to-date.
Track16, which closes the film, is also a combination of several themes and parts of the film. It starts with the piano theme (heard in track06 and track10) and goes on with haunting and scary electronic effects and sounds created by percussion, guitar, mandolin and creepy violin. Then the piano theme is played by violin this time and makes a great difference. The track, (at about 3 minutes of play), gets loud, creepy and scary-- then calms down and ends with a more intense variation of track 14, played by violin (as the main instrument) piano, mandolin, guitars and loud percussion, providing the score (and film) with a more up-beat ending.
The entire score is a great work, which has lovely melodies and themes for easy listening. All these create a sad and sometimes creepy atmosphere that fits perfect in the theme and subject of the film. THE PLEDGE is not your typical Hans Zimmer or Klaus Badelt score for sure, with the great choir themes, loud brass and dramatic, epic atmosphere and feeling. It's just lovely, sad and hauntingly beautiful - quality music for all the music and movie lovers, and -of course- Zimmer followers.
Demetris Christodoulides
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4/5
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