'Legion' - Soundtrack
John Frizzell's score fails to take flight
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By Robert Yaniz Jr.

In “Legion,” a group of ordinary people become unwilling warriors as they come face to face with supernatural forces bent on the destruction of the human race. Sound familiar?

Just as the premise for the film it accompanies, the score to “Legion” offers little originality. John Frizzell, whose credits include everything from “Office Space” to “Thir13en Ghosts,” composes the score, and it’s clear from the first listen that this is something we’ve all heard before.

The opening track, entitled “When I Was a Little Girl,” even features rising strings very reminiscent of Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s Joker theme from last year’s “The Dark Knight.” The similarity likely stems from the fact that Frizzell collaborated with Howard in the 1990s on films like the Halle Berry-starring “The Rich Man’s Wife” and volcano disaster flick “Dante’s Peak.”

As anyone who has seen its ubiquitous television spots can attest, “Legion” features a seemingly kind elderly woman who ends up being a wall-hopping demon of sorts and a horribly contorted ice cream man who resembles a daddy long legs. The film -- which is released Friday -- appears to equate shocking images and quick movements with scares, and Frizzell’s score reflects that.

Most of the “scary” music consists of a cacophonous array of string and brass instruments colliding together. The intended effect in the film is likely to disorient the audience, evoking a surreal sense of the macabre. However, on the soundtrack, it just comes across as noise. There’s no real melody to these spooky moments, nor is the dissonance Frizzell offers particularly memorable.

Still, the “Legion” score has its moments. Tracks like “God’s Plan” and “Are We Safe Now?” are standouts, giving Frizzell the chance to infuse some softer and contemplative sounds into the mix. The film’s themes involve faith, religion and the conflict between Heaven and Hell, and it is here where Frizzell has a chance to prove his musical merit.

“You Are the True Protector” also emerges as one of the stronger tracks, which is fitting since it likely plays over the film’s closing moments. The album includes an alternate version of the track, but in all honesty, the two tracks bear little difference.

It’s difficult to say just how well Frizzell’s score suits the film itself, but on its own, the “Legion” score is nothing spectacular. The album is a decent listen, but those expecting something striking and memorable will undoubtedly end up disappointed.

“Legion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” is in stores now. It is composed by John Frizzell. The film, starring Paul Bettany, Lucas Black and Dennis Quaid, is in theaters Jan. 22.

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