REVIEW: Tom Holkenborg / "Alita: Battle Angel"

An action party with a lot of melancholy

Tom Holkenborg Alita: Battle Angel

Rating: (4 / 5)

Milan Records 15/12/2019

TT: 64:16

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know… Tom Holkenborg is the latest evil incarnate at film music world… blah, blah, blah… You have to love digital world for giving a stand to preach for a humongous amount of haters around the world. It does not matter what issue is on the spotlight, the collection of mourners is not far behind its first post. Ok, let me try: If I have to say, I am a great fan of how Tom Holkenborg has been growing and evolving as a composer during the last few years. Much more than what Hans Zimmer has been doing during that same time. Well… lets the games begin!

A high profile project as this “Alita: Battle Angel” is a perfect example of what I am saying. It could have been, perfectly, a very conventional modern action score. Especially when its director and producer are well known as being not much “respectful” of what a composer bring to their projects. Many stories about their meddling with their scores abound on internet. But this time it seems that they have left Holkenborg work on its own, with really great results. Ok, yeah. Probably a good part on how well “Alita” music sounds and feels is because of maestro Conrad Pope conducting and orchestrating. Still, is Holkenborg decision to take him aboard the project, so no fault or minimizing of his work due to that reason. The score, as a whole, sounds and feels great. With a lot of introspecting and melancholy music, reflecting on the childish character of Alita and how she feels. Surrounded with specific moments of great action music. But in the end, this is not just generic stuff. We are talking about a very straightforward and effective score, with a lot of interesting instrumental colors and thematic development.

Since its start with “Discovery”, is easy to feel that there is a lot of breathing room for the music. A very melodic sound that carries fragments of the main theme, and a lot of space for the different sounds that come from orchestra and choir. As I mentioned before, there is a delicate tune which seems to represent a picture of childlike innocence in “I Don’t Even Know My Own Name” that offer us more depth that what we could expect here. Music is thoughtful, subtle and quite moving at certain times.

Of course, the highlights are his big action pieces. “Double Identity” is the first one you will notice. On that, there is not just percussion and electronics. You will hear strings, winds, subtle voices. Although probably the main piece is “The Warrior Within”. With the score showing us how our main character has a lot of power inside her that starts showing. From there, up to the resolutive “What Did You Do?” score moves around playing with all its main elements in a good modern adventure score.

Let the haters came and talk about it. But if you want to decide by yourself, you are in for a treat with this score. This is not just decent action/adventure music. It is a really good work from a professional composer, and full of moments and details to enjoy. Let yourself simply do that.