What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are practically no lyrics on this soundtrack. While there's some violence in the movie, these sweeping, majestic orchestral arrangements are family-safe and set the mood for swashbuckling pirate play. Very young kids might be a little scared by the somewhat eerie choral vocals in "At Wit's End."
What's the story?
Orchestral music purists will be pleased with Hans Zimmer's take on the soundtrack for the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie, as the music minimizes electronic effects, relying on traditional instrumentation to set the swashbuckling mood. Sweeping and grand, the music of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END will evoke memories of the movie for those who've seen it, and fuel the imaginations of those who haven't. The opening tune, "Hoist the Colours" (the only song with lyrics) talks about death, but young kids won't absorb the lyrics. It's followed by "Singapore," on which the instruments and melody have a distinctly Asian feel. One of the most evocative tracks, "At Wit's End," uses choral vocals to eerie effect.
Is it any good?
All of the songs are exquisitely performed and produced, and every instrument from penny whistle to tuba is given respectful treatment in the mix. Soundtracks like this one can be an accessible introduction to the world of orchestral music for kids who've never seen a symphony concert.
Families who have not yet seen Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (or those with children too young to see it without being terrified) might use the soundtrack to inspire their own homemade video-cam pirate movies, or simply as background music for inventive fantasy play.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the role of soundtracks. Do they make you want to see the movie or does the movie make you want to run out and buy the CD? Families can also talk about how much you notice the mood the music sets when you're watching a film. Would some of the key scenes in Pirates seem different with, say, a ragtime piano in the background? Because of the plot, a few of the musical moments of this film have a decidedly Asian feel. What instruments and melodies are used to evoke the Far East?