Medal Of Honor Underground

by Jonathan Shearon   ·    December 7, 2006

Following up his acclaimed score to Medal Of Honor, Michael Giacchino tries to pull another famous John Williams trick with Medal Of Honor Underground – namely expanding original ideas with new instrumentation.

Opening with the imposing Nazi motif from the original, “May 10th, 1940″ sets the mood with a quieter and more introspective title than one would expect from a video game about killing Nazis. Complete with
accordion and boys choir, the gorgeous near-waltz quality to it hints at a maturity from the composer previously unheard. Sure, the first score was outstanding and wore its heart on its sleeve; but this is a new beast altogether.

The score achieves a certain understated distance when compared to its predecessor. While just as loud (if not louder) than the first disc, there is an almost pedestrian viewpoint to the action. For instance, “Panzer Blockade” retains the panzer motif from the first game but as this game involves the adventures of a member of the French Resistance, there is a “sneaking” quality to it all.

This isn’t to say that the score is subtle. The roaring power of “The Motorcycle Chase” is probably one of the most breathtaking action cues written for a game. Huge timpani hits, frantic strings and a reaching brass section have to work hard to stay on top of Tim Simonec’s laborous orchestrations.

Outstanding moments include the bouncy “Labyrinth of the Minotaur” and frantic “Escape from Casablanca”, either of which could have been lifted from an Indiana Jones movie. There are also two haunting moments
(“Last Rites” and “The Battle of Monte Cassino”) involving the Seattle Boys Choir that really are “stand-up and notice” pieces of work.

With all the action and bluster and ideas running amok in Underground, though – there seems to be a little bit too much for a single disc. Giacchino’s talent is unquestionable but this seems to be a case of too much, too soon. Bouncing between locales in the game leads to a wide variety of ethnic sounds that don’t completely gel for the whole sixty minutes. However, this is small potatoes, given the quality of music and the performance of the Northwest Sinfonia.

Giacchino has proven time and again that he’s one of the most important composers to break out in years and this entry into theMedal Of Honor series is a big feather in his hat. Its material like this that makes me appreciate film score all over again.

TRACKS

1. May 10th, 1940 (Main Theme)
2. The Streets of Paris
3. Amongst the Dead
4. Fleeing the Catacombs
5. Panzer Blockade
6. The Road to Tobruk
7. Escape From Casablanca
8. Passage to Iráklion
9. Labyrinth of the Minotaur
10. Ascent to the Castle
11. Last Rites
12. The Battle of Monte Cassino
13. The Motorcycle Chase
14. Returning to Paris
15. Beneath the City
16. Each Night He Comes Home To Me
17. May 10th, 1940 (Alternate Version)
18. Er laesst mich niemals allein (OSS Radio Broadcast)