ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Moulin Rouge 2 (Interscope Records)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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Hats off to Baz Luhrman, I like this CD even more than the first Moulin Rouge CD.

Luhrman has lifted several productions directly from the film's soundtrack, complete with sound effects, so in many ways MR2's a better representation of what the film is all about. It starts off sweetly with an orchestral reworking of "Your Song" (actually one of two instrumental versions of it here) and generally maintains a full-orchestra classical feel all the way through, with a dash of Gilbert & Sullivan and big-band. The original album wasn't as cohesive, having orchestral music next to fully modern dance tracks contributed by the likes of Fat Boy Slim, Pink, Christine Aguilera and Lil Kim. The closest you come to that modern feel here is on Tony Phillips's remix of "One Day I'll Fly Away," but it's much more sedate than what's on Moulin Rouge 1. I guess they had to try for a radio single somewhere on the disc.

Nicole Kidman's vocals are featured on most of the tracks and she proves again she's no small talent as a singer. She's best where she duets with Ewan MacGregor on the soundtrack version of "Come What May," Ewan's only real appearance on the CD. It's a mighty fine love song, worthy of ranking with any number of greats from the classic MGM musicals. Personally I was most happy to finally get my souvenir copy of the outrageous "Like A Virgin," which features Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh, along with the equally hilarious "The Pitch."

The CD closes out orchestrally as the film did with "Ascension/Nature Boy" and the "Closing Credits Bolero." In many ways the real stars of the CD are the composers and arrangers on these tracks: Craig Armstrong, Chris Elliot, Steve Sharples, Amiel Daemion, Steve Sidwell and overall Music Director Marius DeVries. Their work is a large part of what made the film and this CD so special.

And yes, I am still nuts over the film, does it show? For me the album was a requirement. The good news is that it makes me enjoy the movie all the more.

© 2002 - Rusty Pipes