Vinyl LP pressing. Original score to the 2014 motion picture composed by John Paesano. Paesano, who is a producer, conductor, and arranger for film, television, video games, and records. THE MAZE RUNNER tells the story of Thomas, who wakes up in an elevator, remembering nothing but his own name. He emerges into a world of about sixty teen boys who have learned to survive in a completely enclosed environment, subsisting on their own agriculture and supplies. Then a comatose girl arrives with a strange note, and their world begins to change.
D**Y
Music connects to the story well
Well, it sure has been a long time since I've seen a music score come out on CD before the movie hits the theaters. Usually it takes a few weeks and then it is finally released. This particular score is done by an unknown composer to me personally. So this makes my first John Paesano film score. Looking up his history online, I see that he was given a lot of praise for the film "When the Game Stands Tall". His other works seem to be more TV, video games, straight to video releases and film documentaries. For those interested, he did the TV score for the DreamWorks "Dragons" series and he did the music for the "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse" video.Now obviously I haven't seen the film yet since it hasn't been released...but I did read the book series. Paesano fills the musical void that is in my head from reading the books quite well. Through his music I can recall scenes that I read and easily relate the music with that particular moment in the story. I think he has made some great choices here and this score is fun to listen to. In the liner notes from the CD booklet, Paesano mentions that he aimed for having the score "mature" through the course of the film as the character Thomas does. New discoveries, enemies, hidden abilities, and shocking twist are clearly present here in this score and I think the composer has successfully achieved that goal.The score begins with the cue entitled "Maze Runner". Here we have a theme developed that we hear throughout the film in various forms. It does a great job of setting up the story with a jungle/mystery sound that is slow moving and that gradually builds louder. It's as if you were flying over the maze only seeing parts of it and then finally seeing the whole thing in it's entirety. There is also this really cool pulsating electronic sound that comes and goes that makes it sound like your speakers are messed up. It is really neat and it adds a bit of mystery to the cue because it seems out of place. You'll ask yourself, "What the heck is that...why is that in there?" But I think it really sets up the idea that not all is what you expect. Pretty cool musical device to throw into the music indeed. The first five tracks continue to develop this jungle vibe with pan pipes, sticks, and drums. Things begin to slow down towards the end of track 5 "Banishment" and this somber tone takes us over the course of the next few tracks. Tracks 7 and 8 introduce us to the evil in the world with cue 8, "Griever!" being one of the most intense. We are hit with the next section of the score with a more ambient horror feel as things get creepy. This is where you'll find some pounding action tracks as the conflict intensifies. This is my only gripe with the score. I know that this music is functional and serves it's purpose for the film but I always wish it could be a bit more melodic sometimes. I am a big fan of having the theme find it's way into these particular cues and I can't really find it with these. We begin to see more complex lyrical/somber music develop with "WCKD is Good" and you get a feel for Paesano's goal in maturing the character and story with the music. Many of the musical styles/techniques that were explored earlier in the movie make their return in the final tracks. Paesano continues to experiment with unique electronic sounds in the later tracks and "WCKD Lab" is perfectly done by giving the audience the shocking twist in the story. The last track, "Finale" is the best to me. It sums up the entire work very well and I love the choir voices in the background.The physical CD version is released through Sony Classical and comes with liner notes from the composer, as well as, some really cool photos from the film. We are also treated with credits for the orchestra and choir. The CD clocks in at around 1 hour and 4 minutes so you get plenty of music from the film.Paesano is pretty new to major motion picture scores and it is always good to enjoy the work from a new composer. I think he has done a fine job with this score and for those of you that are fans of the book series...I think you will find it easy to connect this music to the story. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future. I recommend!
L**T
Moving, Powerful, and Epic!
I do not have any music from the composer, and John Paesano did a excellent job creating this music. The opening track is very unique in my opinion, because when he introduces the main theme, he introduces it with two notes in the horns and then completes it the rest of the way with the strings. As the music progresses, the strings introduce the theme along with the choir and the second half of the theme is taken over by the trumpets. The theme is majestic and powerful, like you are soaring over a beautiful landscape or riding on a fast horse over mountains and across streams. The next track has a meditative feel to it, with a guitar and bells in it. You can picture yourself setting by a gently flowing stream and watching the leaves fall into the water and float down the stream. I use music to take me to different images and moods in my mind, and it always makes for an interesting journey. Every time you listen to music you can picture new things and have a different feeling evoked. This soundtrack is excellent for this kind of experience. Track 3 starts off with that meditative feeling, but when the drums are introduced and then melancholy theme that accompanies it, you feel the sadness rise and picture a loss of some kind. Track 4 has that menacing feeling and you can picture yourself running from a giant creature. Each track on this album is great for letting your imagination roam. Enjoy!
K**A
Captivating & Thrilling Music
I noticed the soundtrack during the movie, and being a fan of soundtrack music (especially for background music when writing) I was hit with the immediate urge to order this. I'm glad I did! I had never heard of John Paesano before, so I wasn't really sure how it would be--but there are a lot of songs with strong themes in them, as well as quieter songs, and other things as well. There are a lot more songs that I really like on here than I was expecting. I would definitely recommend this!
N**A
Five Stars
A wonderful soundtrack that is evocative of the suspense and emotion that the movie provokes.
R**E
Five Stars
AWESOME.
S**N
Five Stars
very good music fit the movie perfectly
E**N
Great score!
Excellent tone and vibe.
P**Y
Five Stars
Given as a gift
