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Representing the minds and actions of lovable criminals is a task that Powell accomplishes well in The Italian Job. His primary instrument is his array synthesizers, with looped rhythms, varied percussion, guitars, electric bass, and keyboarding constituting the majority of the effort. The cohesive element is obviously the series of rhythms that Powell utilizes consistently throughout the film. Even in the softer moments, the rhythms that sit at center stage during action scenes are omnipresent in the background of the music. Thus, the churning minds behind the plot of the film are constantly in motion and the score reflects that pace. To infuse the blockbuster with greater power, Powell hired a partial orchestra (full strings and brass, with one percussionist and no woodwinds) to elevate a handful of cues to the status of elegant high style exposition (culminating in "The New Plan"). He also lets rip with electric guitars and other heavy metal-inclined instrumental tones for rocking sequences of disbelief like the almost ridiculous "Tunnel Run." The rhythms become more forceful in their ferocious synthetic behavior as the film reaches its climax, allowing the sophistication to drain slightly from a score that was otherwise very streetwise in its first half. On album, the first half of the score will play much like a David Holmes underscore, with more power behind the rhythms due to a larger ensemble. The smoothest cue comes in the early portions as well; the slight, synthetic choral tones of "Venice Gold Heist" are an eerie interlude. The latter half of the score begins to digress in its more primitive emotional expressions, but given the payback that being exacted in the film, such a transition to feverish success could be expected. The score returns briefly to the more stylish, sophisticated attitude in the final victory cue. On the whole, The Italian Job is a considerably improved and successful score for Powell when compared to The Bourne Identity because the more recent work is rich with interesting rhythms that maintain a mood for a much longer period. Some listeners may still find the slapping, pinging, and sometimes ripping personality of Powell's score to be obnoxious, and others may have problems with the shifts in tempo and looped rhythms from cue to cue (likely because of a team of additional composers and arrangers on the job). But bridging the gap between techno and orchestral action enthusiasts, The Italian Job is a good candidate for repetition in the background during mindless activities.  ***   @Amazon.com: CD or Download

Bias Check:

For John Powell reviews at Filmtracks, the average editorial rating is 3.28 (in 50 reviews) and the average viewer rating is 3.16 (in 52,492 votes). The maximum rating is 5 stars.

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