Total Recall (2012 soundtrack)
| Total Recall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Film score by | ||||
| Released | July 31, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2011–2012 | |||
| Studios |
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| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 56:22 | |||
| Label | Madison Gate Records | |||
| Producer | Harry Gregson-Williams | |||
| Harry Gregson-Williams chronology | ||||
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Total Recall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2012 film Total Recall directed by Len Wiseman which is an adaptation of the 1990 film of the same name, starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. The album featured original score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and was released through Madison Gate Records on July 31, 2012.
Background and development
In November 2011, Gregson-Williams stated in an interview to Film Score Monthly that he would be composing music for Total Recall, where he considered the film's music to be much different from Jerry Goldsmith's score for the 1990 film.[1] Wiseman wanted the score that did not sound too traditional or action filled, which Gregson-Williams understood and provided a score that was "big and epic but it's also dark and moody".[2] The score heavily utilized electronic elements for the futuristic, science fiction atmosphere. The British electronic music duo Hybrid (Mike and Charlotte Truman) was assigned to write additional music and wrote 50 minutes of music in the span of four months.[3]
Release
The score was released through Madison Gate Records on July 31, 2012.[4][5]
Reception
James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "At almost an hour, the album's twice as long as it needs to be, but it's better than a lot of people would have you believe – just a shame that (in common with almost all music for similar films of the last decade or so) it couldn't be bolder in its convictions and less afraid to play a leading role, not just a supporting one."[6] Filmtracks wrote "For 1990's Total Recall, Goldsmith did just that, writing music that was based upon familiar symphonic tones and rhythms to compensate for the outrageously bizarre story. As such, you cared about the characters and the people of Mars. There was gripping awe in his cues, the type of majesty that forces filmmakers to place the music at the forefront of the mix for lengthy periods of time during key special effects shots. Conversely, 2012's Total Recall doesn't afford a composer like Gregson-Williams any such opportunity, nor does he make overt gestures of emotional connectivity throughout the score to help the audience care about the characters."[7]
Dylan Chester of The Film Stage found it to be "the dullest action film score in recent memory, from Harry Gregson-Williams."[8] Chris Bumbray of JoBlo.com called it "a shockingly generic score by the usually excellent Harry Gregson-Williams, which- suffice to say, doesn't hold a candle to Jerry Goldsmith's incredible soundtrack for the original."[9] In contrast, Critic based at Coventry Telegraph called it a "bombastic score".[10] Brad Brevet of Comingsoon.net wrote "Harry Gregson Williams provides a pounding score that dominates most of the film".[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Dream" | 3:35 |
| 2. | "The Fall" | 2:11 |
| 3. | "Colony" | 1:56 |
| 4. | "The Tripping Den" | 2:50 |
| 5. | "Rekall" | 2:51 |
| 6. | "Rooftop Chase" | 2:23 |
| 7. | "Hand Call" | 2:50 |
| 8. | "The Vault" | 4:50 |
| 9. | "Customs" | 1:40 |
| 10. | "Car Chase Pt. 1" | 2:44 |
| 11. | "Car Chase Pt. 2" | 1:34 |
| 12. | "The Key" | 1:24 |
| 13. | "The Scar On Your Hand" | 4:15 |
| 14. | "Elevator Chase" | 5:21 |
| 15. | "Train To Matthias" | 4:03 |
| 16. | "Saving Melina" | 2:35 |
| 17. | "Gravity Reversing" | 2:19 |
| 18. | "Up Top Fight" | 2:52 |
| 19. | "The Fall Collapses" | 1:35 |
| 20. | "It's Hard To Believe, Isn't It?" | 2:34 |
| Total length: | 56:22 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes:[12]
- Music composer, producer and piano – Harry Gregson-Williams
- Additional music – Hybrid
- Electric cello – Martin Tillman
- Orchestrators – Alastair King, David Butterworth
- Conductor – Gavin Greenaway
- Leader – Perry Montague Mason
- Contractor – Isobell Griffiths
- Assistant contractor – Jo Buckley
- Programming – Andy Page, Halli Cauthery
- Recording – Peter Cobbin, Sam Odel
- Mixing – Al Clay
- Mastering – Patricia Sullivan
- Score editor – Meri Gavin, Richard Whitfield
- Score technical engineer – Costas Kotselas
- Assistant technical engineer – Brendyn Adams, Danny Stimac
- Executive producer – Neal H. Moritz
- Music coordinator – Tim Ahlering
- Copyist – Jill Streater
- Art direction and design – Elizabeth Prochnow
- Executive in charge of music for Sony Pictures – Lia Vollack
Accolades
| Awards | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMI Film & TV Awards | Film Music Award | Harry Gregson-Williams | Won | [13] [14] |
References
- ↑ "Gregson-Williams' Happy Christmas". Film Score Monthly. Vol. 16, no. 11. November 2011. Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Blair, Iain (July 1, 2012). "Director's Chair: Len Wiseman – 'Total Recall'". Post Magazine. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "TOTAL RECALL". Hybrid Scores. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Total Recall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Total Recall Soundtrack (2012)". Soundtrack.net. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Southall, James (September 20, 2012). "Total Recall soundtrack review | Harry Gregson-Williams". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Total Recall (Harry Gregson-Williams/Various)". Filmtracks. August 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Chester, Dylan (August 2, 2012). "[Review] Total Recall". The Film Stage. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Bumbray, Chris (August 2, 2012). "Review: Total Recall". JoBlo.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Film Review: Total Recall". Coventry Telegraph. April 25, 2013. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Brevet, Brad (August 3, 2012). "'Total Recall' Movie Review (2012)". Comingsoon.net. Mandatory. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Harry Gregson-Williams. Total Recall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Media notes). Madison Gate Records.
- ↑ "BMI Film TV Awards 2013". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Gallo, Phil (May 16, 2013). "Cliff Martinez, John Williams, Mike Post, More Honored at BMI Film & TV Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.