• Composed by Henry Jackman
• Varese Sarabande 302 067 076 2 / 2010 / 49:19

They said that it could not be done; that no man could achieve the feat.  Even the festive cheer swelling around the world would surely not be enough to propel something on to the impossible.  And yet, here it is – a film released at Christmas 2010 which most people think is actually worse than Little Fockers.  Director Rob Letterman’s previous films were both Dreamworks animations (Shark Tale and Monsters vs Aliens) so it’s no surprise to find Remote Control composer Henry Jackman onboard to write the music, nor that his music shares a lot in common with most scores for Dreamworks animations.  My reviews of such scores are entirely predictable; mostly because the scores themselves are.  Tuneful, cheery, lively – few leave any impression whatsoever but most are as enjoyable as they are disposable (and interchangeable).

This film is not, of course, an animation, but the score follows exactly the same template.  If anything there may be a touch more substance here – something slightly fuller and more developed about the themes – but it really is only a touch.  The best cue, “Nobody Save the Princess!”, is a rollicking piece of action music which sounds like an outtake from the third Pirates of the Caribbean score.  It’s not quite as fun, the tune isn’t quite as memorable, but it’s a really nice piece.  Indeed, in a nutshell that sums up the score as a whole – it sounds like a lot of other (better) things, but despite never quite reaching their level it is never less than entertaining.  No awards will be handed out to Gulliver’s Travels but plenty of people will find themselves enjoying the listening experience.  ***

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