What makes The Forbidden Kingdom by David Buckley notable?

This soundtrack played a significant role in popularizing the fusion of Eastern and Western musical styles in film, contributing to the global appeal of martial arts cinema. It received critical acclaim for its intricate compositions and was recognized within industry circles, leading to further opportunities for Buckley in major film productions. David Buckley was emerging as a prominent composer in film scoring by 2008, having previously contributed to projects like 'The Good Shepherd' and 'The Ghost Writer'. 'The Forbidden Kingdom' marked a notable collaboration with director Rob Minkoff, showcasing Buckley's ability to blend Eastern musical elements with Western orchestral traditions in a high-profile Hollywood project.

How many songs are on The Forbidden Kingdom?

The Forbidden Kingdom has 20 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

The Forbidden Kingdom

David Buckley · 2008

67 min · 20 tracks

A vibrant orchestral landscape weaving traditional Chinese motifs with dynamic action cues and cinematic drama.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Monkey Business — This track captures the adventurous spirit of the film, blending energetic rhythms and playful melodies that evoke the movie's lighthearted yet thrilling moments.
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The Tyranny of War — With its dramatic orchestration, this piece underscores the film's thematic gravity, reflecting on conflict and sacrifice while enhancing pivotal narrative moments.
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Tea House Fight — This track stands out for its intense tempo and intricate arrangements, perfectly mirroring the film's high-stakes action sequences with traditional instrumentation.
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Let the Journey Begin — Opening with an inspiring melody, this track encapsulates the film’s overarching themes of adventure and destiny, setting the tone for the unfolding story.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 80% of albums we've rated

The score intricately weaves Eastern and Western elements, showcasing strong thematic development and cohesion.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate dynamic tempo changes that reflect the action and emotional arcs of the film's narrative.
The use of leitmotifs for key characters is prevalent, allowing themes to develop and recur throughout the score.
The final two tracks serve as a reflective conclusion, contrasting with the high-energy cues that dominate earlier pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Mountain of Fruit & Flowers 1:43
2 The Peach Banquet 1:46
3 Monkey Business 4:31
4 China Begins 4:11
5 Hops' Shop 3:07
6 J & J Temple Fight 5:34
7 The Legend of the Temple Staff 1:59
8 Two Tigers - Two Masters 2:49
9 Tea House Fight 5:07
10 The Tyranny of War 5:23
11 Don't Forget to Breathe 0:52
12 Ni Chang & Her Cult Killers 4:35
13 Drunken Master Wounded 3:40
14 The Seeker of the Prophecy 5:05
15 Let the Journey Begin 2:37
16 Monkey King Released 2:27
17 Battle of the Bride 3:01
18 Her Destiny was Written 4:12
19 ''As One Tale Ends...'' 2:46
20 ''... Another Tale Begins'' 1:35

What to play next

Full David Buckley discography Artists like David Buckley

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata