Theodore Shapiro and Ludwig Göransson's score for Central Intelligence is released through Lakeshore Records. The film follows a one-time bullied geek, Bob - who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent - coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, Bob enlists the help of former “big man on campus,” Calvin, now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than Calvin can count...

Theodore Shapiro and Ludwig Göransson deliver some interesting themes in their score for Central Intelligence. In the past Shapiro gave us Trumbo; Zoolander 2; and more recently Ghostbusters, whilst Göransson composed the score for Fruitvale Station.

The album holds 30 tracks (43 min, 31 sec) and you could be forgiven for thinking, given the short track lengths, that is is going to be an album full of music cues. This is partly true, but the themes that are interwoven throughout are quite impressive.

The score has everything. It's got action adventure rock anthems ('Nunchucks and Bikes'); a cool, almost '80s-esque main theme ('Central Intelligence'); mystery and intrigue ('Forensic Accounting' - which also houses the main theme); sweet moments ('Sleepover'; 'Homecoming King'; and 'Darla'); and standard action and adventure themes ('Garage Fight').

There's enough quality material on here to make it interesting, even if it's not an essential purchase.

7

Darren Rea