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Rating: It was the year 1993 when a genius named Tim Burton gifted us one of the most wonderful tales ever created in the modern era. Although the direction is credited to someone named Henry Selick, the project is entirely Tim Burtonesque, and for all 73 minutes of the film, the magic it emanates is something only the great Tim could have given us. The characters, the atmosphere, the cinematography, and especially the music...
From his first movie 'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure' counting all his feature films except 'Ed Wood', Burton has always relied on a single versatile great artist: Daniel Robert Elfman, known as Danny Elfman.
Called to write and then perform the soundtrack for "The Nightmare Before Christmas", in my opinion, Elfman delivers his best interpretation. All 20 songs that make up the album are simply marvelous; the melodies and lyrics are nothing short of brilliant and blend perfectly with the entire film. Not a single mistake in this little gem, starting with the "Overture" then moving on to the "introduction" and the first true song: "This is Halloween". Right after, we move on to "King of the Blu King of Never" and "Dr. Frankenstein/In the Forest" but especially "What's This?," a masterpiece of a song to hear again and again but especially to SEE as Jack discovers the Christmas town and its inhabitants. From "Town Meeting" passing through "Jack and Sally" to "Jack's Obsession" and "The Kidnapping of Santa Claus" nothing changes, everything is perfect and harmonious and the film can only benefit from it. Note the excellent contribution given by Catherine O'Hara and Glenn Shadix as Sally and the Mayor of Halloween Town, respectively. It continues with "Making Christmas", another track that is to be seen as well as heard, "The Prisoner" and "Mr. Oogie Boogie". Ending the album are "Sally's Song", "Christmas Eve", "Poor Jack", "The Rescue of Santa Claus", "Finale", "Closing", and "Final Theme".
I didn't want to elaborate too much on the majesty of the film because I wanted to talk about the soundtrack but mainly because the film has now become a true cult, and I think there are very few people who haven't seen it, not to mention the merchandising that has become extremely popular in recent years. The song titles I have written are, obviously, those of the Italian version expertly performed by an excellent Renato Zero, also note the excellent translation of the lyrics which at times become more enjoyable than the original versions.
In short, a classic to rediscover, especially now since finally, after almost 12 years, the soundtrack in the Italian version has been re-edited.
A unique film and an equally unique soundtrack.
Thank you Tim, Thank you Danny
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