Valiant

Track Listing

01 - Valiant (2:30)

02 - March of the R.H.P.S. (1:33)

03 - "Wish Me Luck" (2:10)

04 - Meeting Bugsy (1:01)

05 - Arrival at Camp (2:47)

(a) Drummed out of the Claw

(b) In the Coop

06 -Von Talon and the Bastion (3:26)

07 - Victoria and the Final Training (1:52)

08 - The Eve of the Mission (Adagio) (3:56)

09 - Mouse Division (4:20)

10 - Decoys (2:19)

11 - Re Grouping (1:11)

12 - The Rescue and Escape (12:47)

13 - Winged Heroes (Adagio and Fanfare) (1:40)

14 - End Titles - March of the R.H.P.S. (2:59)

15 - Shoo Shoo Baby (2:39)

Orchestrated by Geoffrey Alexander

Conducted by George Fenton

Performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Produced by George Fenton

Released by Walt Disney Records on August 16th, 2005

Total Running Time: 47:10

Yet another British animated film combing poultry and World War II, Valiant’s description sounds like nothing more than a simple retread of Chicken Run, though with “fancy” computer graphics taking the place of Chicken Run’s charming stop-motion animation system. While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, Valiant was a less effective film, given the review-bashing it has received (along with a quiet stateside release from Disney). Thankfully, while Valiant may have struggled with the critics, at least its score by George Fenton came out well enough.

The musical style of this film is pretty much inspired by all the similar films that have come before it. Fenton doesn’t go out of his way to break any new musical ground, but what is here is certainly not bad in anyway. His main themes are decent, if a little on the weak side, and the structure is certainly not as tight as it could be. The first half of the album is the strongest, presenting an enjoyable selection of opening cues that firmly establish the score’s tone and comedy. The second half, however, generally fails to make an impression. Even the climactic cue of “The Rescue and Escape” doesn’t offer anything terribly exciting. This makes for a rather tepid end to a score that otherwise starts off strongly.

Fenton’s strength with Valiant lies in the main theme and the style that he pulls off for the source-like “Arrival at the Camp” cue. The main theme is fun, if typical, and Fenton gets lot of use out of it, though always in typical fashion and there is not much variation to be found in the performances of that theme. At least for the first handful of tracks in which it appears, it is used quite effectively, especially the marching version of it in the second track. His big band/swing style is also enjoyable, although its appearance is fairly light, as Fenton sticks with the tried-and-true for the most part. The orchestra itself has a nicely well-rounded mix that will tap on both the highs and the lows throughout the soundscape.

Ultimately, while Valiant has its strong spots, it ends up less solid than the Powell and Gregson-Williams Chicken Run score. For those who enjoyed that one, Valiant offers more of the same pretty much, and there would be worse ways to spend your money. However, if you tend to guard your purchases against the merely “average”, then this album would be one to avoid.