'Unleashed' Soundtrack by Massive Attack

By Mark Sung Apr 20, 2005, 13:19 GMT

"Unleashed" was directed by Louis Leterrier, and written and produced by Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Professional"). Leterrier and Besson previously collaborated on the action movie "The Transporter."

The Massive Attack film score was commissioned personally by Besson and Leterrier, and completed by the band over an 11-week period of recording in Bristol and London. It captures in music the story of Danny (Jet Li), kept as a near-prisoner by his "Uncle" Bart (Bob Hoskins), a gangster; trained to attack and, if necessary, kill, Danny knows little of life, except the brutal existence that Bart has so crudely and cruelly fashioned for him. But when Danny has a chance encounter with soft-spoken blind piano tuner Sam (Morgan Freeman) and Sam's daughter Victoria (Kerry Condon), he senses true kindness and compassion for the first time and experiences the transforming power of music. Danny begins to envision a new future for himself. However, the mob will not give up its prize pupil so easily, and Danny must soon fight again, and fight back, to protect his new family and bury his troubled past.

Also participating in the soundtrack is RZA, whose hip-hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan, took much inspiration, imagery and myth from the martial-arts classics of the Hong Kong cinema. In their "Wu-Tang Clan Presents" DVD series, such early Jet Li martial arts landmarks as "Fist of Legend" and "Shaolin Temple," among many others, were issued for the urban (meaning mainstream) American market. "Unleash Me" is performed by RZA, with featured appearances by Prodigal Son, a regular collaborator with Wu-Tang since their debut, and Christbearer of the Long Beach rap duo Northstar. RZA also produced the sizzling "Baby Boy" by Thea for the soundtrack.