24: The Game

Composed by Sean Callery

       Purchase at Fox Music

Orchestrated by William Ross

Performed by the Nimrod Studio Orchestra

Produced by Sean Callery

Released by Fox Music

Total Running Time: 22:30

     It's funny that in this day and age a videogame can have a fully orchestrated score while the television series that spawned it continues to make use of an electronic-based score. It does make sense, however. The demands of a 24 episode television series is far more than what would be required for a single videogame title. This is why Sean Callery was able to provide fans with a fully orchestrated score for the Playstation 2 version of the hit TV show 24. It's certainly not that Callery's synth scores for the show are bad. He has consistently proven that he can deliver complex and entertaining music from the comfort of his computer chair (yes, that's putting it in very simplistic terms, but you get the idea). But while the mechanics of the game itself were lackluster (the reviews were painfully average) we cannot fault a production that gave us the true gem of a fully orchestrated score.

     But what would 24 sound like if it was performed by an orchestra week in and week out? The answer is given in the very first track. The "24 Symphonic Suite" presents a selection of themes that are used throughout the series. Most of these pieces can be found in their original version on the first 24 score album, but here they are a revelation. The music was already good to begin with, but when performed by an orchestra, the sheer emotional weight is pumped up and there is almost an epic quality to be had. There are still synthesized elements layered in amongst the orchestra, but these serve only to assist the music and keep the 24 musical style consistent.

     The rest of the cues follow the basic formula that can be heard in any epsiode, but without any truely standout tracks. After the suite, there's not much else that this score has going for it other than nicely orchestrated generic action cues. It's part of being a videogame score, but still a real shame that Callery didn't continue to up himself for the remaining cues.

     Though worth purchasing for the opening track itself, this cue, along with two others, can be found on the second 24 score album, which is much stronger overall. Even so, for $6.99, this isn't a major purchase. Those who'd prefer to have the additional five cues from this score will be hard pressed to find fault with adding this online-only release to their collection.

Reviewed on February 11, 2007

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