Land of the Lost (soundtrack)

Land of the Lost (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score composed by Michael Giacchino to the 2009 film Land of the Lost directed by Brad Silberling which was loosely based on Sid and Marty Krofft's television series of the same name. The film stars Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel, and Jorma Taccone. The film's original score is composed by Michael Giacchino and the 32-track score album was released through Varèse Sarabande on June 9, 2009.

Michael Giacchino composed the film score, who accepted the offer after liking the works of Sid and Marty Krofft, including the original 1974 television series which he watched during his childhood. His collaboration with the Krofft brothers felt to be exciting as they would provide their comments and suggestions and also help in the production, while also feeling enjoyable to work with people who can share both personal and professional ideas. For this film, Giacchino worked on weird percussions and instrumentations. He visited the warehouse of veteran percussionist Emil Richards in Los Angeles, where he bought an assortment of percussions and also few conch shells from French horn player Rick Todd, who played the instrument along with five other French horn players.^[1][2]

He considered it fun to reach the experimental music style from the 1970s, that Jerry Goldsmith did it with perfection. When Giacchino discussed it with Silberling regarding the same, he thought of taking this style much serious, something that suited for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) while having a detachment for funny music. Hence, the music played on much serious note over a comical note. Guitarist George Doering played the guitar in an unusual way, that sounded like theremin, as per Giacchino's suggestions. He also used banjo as well, as the original theme also featured that instrument. Giacchino used an old synthesizer with a particular patch that sounded like a musical time machine, and that sound felt nostalgic taking back to the times, when he watched the original show. He considered it a fun score to write as he could balance the nonsensical nature with the serious elements. Giacchino also incorporated the original themes composed by Jimmie Haskell for the television show as well.^[1][3]

Giacchino wrote around 75 minutes of the music while only 60 minutes of the cues are on the soundtrack.^[1] He recorded the score at the Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage collaborating with an 88-piece orchestra and a 35-person choir from Hollywood Studio Symphony.^[4] On May 10, 2009, Dave Mustaine, a member of the thrash metal band Megadeth stated that some music from the band would be featured in the film, though it was not clear that whether the band would write new music specifically for the film or existing tracks of them would appear.^[5][6] It was later noted that parts of the song "The Right to Go Insane", from the 2009 album Endgame, can be heard near the end of the film.^[7]

Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks considered the music to be "extremely taxing in parts and dull in others, compounded by the dry recording mix" calling Giacchino's work being a "disappointment that was sadly predictable in retrospect."^[8] Jason Thurston of AllMusic wrote "Giacchino brings the majesty on an album possibly more invigorating than the film itself."^[9] Michael Quinn of BBC admitted that "Giacchino has fashioned a surprisingly intricate and detailed score with sufficient passages of romance and drama to catch the imagination and enough moments of orchestral repose to catch your breath."^[10]

Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK admitted that the action music inspired by the 1960s works, and "the ensemble performing the score would in other circumstances have made for interesting listening"; however, the "scattershot attitude and somewhat muddled structure" led him to feel unengaged, though the score was partly enjoyable.^[11] Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles considered the score to be perfect for Jerry Goldsmith owing to how he handled madcap adventures, and though Giacchino had implemented the same, the score was "too madcap even for its listening experience".^[12] He further added that Goldsmith provided a cohesive experience on tying the loose ends which Giacchino had not perfected, leaving the score to be "too chaotic to get a kick out of it."^[12]

Brent Simon of Screen International wrote "Michael Giacchino provides a delightfully engaging score".^[13] Negatively, Variety's Brian Lowry wrote "Other wasted contributions amid a soundtrack replete with loud screaming include Michael Giacchino's score."^[14] Chris Bumbray of JoBlo.com wrote "the only praise-worthy thing[s] about this film, is the above average musical score by Michael Giacchino (which nicely evokes the old Saturday morning Sid & Marty Kroft show this is based on)".^[15] Nick Rogers of Midwest Film Journal wrote "Michael Giacchino's fine score also is far more inspired than the film it accompanies."^[16]

Credits adapted from liner notes:^[20]