Regarding the unusual ethnic influences in the score, something I have thought about before is that due to societal conditioning, most listeners subconsiously think an instrument from a foreign control seems out of place if not used to REPRESENT that country. However, the USA is such a melting pot of cultures, I don't think it unreasonable to use an instrument to represent an emotion. For example, the dudok comes across as a very lonely sound, if you will, so why not use it to represent such? I think the use of ethnic influences outside of their origin is actually very forward thinking. Controversial now, because its not common, but now that the bridge has been crossed, we will prolly see more of it.

And no, I have not seen the film yet. Just my thoughts. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy this score (and I'm not even a big Elfman fan), though I can see Christian's point of view.