This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Mission Impossible. Danny Elfman wrote the score for this revival of the TV classic. It was almost from another composer though. Alan Silvestri was hired and supposedly recorded some music before being swapped for Elfman. Despite what sounds like challenging circumstances, Elfman's score succeeds.
Although the opportunities for brass to shine are not as plentiful in this score as other Elfman works, it's still worth a listen. He manages to bring in the classic theme from the original series and introduce new elements that work for the film. His best success is building tension. In a film where the prospect of getting caught while on the run is a major plot point, this use of tensions works well. The highlight of the score is the very end when the brass are unleashed. It's pretty great and it feels like the bell of the Tuba will come through your speakers.
Where does mission impossible rank for Elfman scores? Let us know in the comments.
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