In a narrative voice-off who would win: James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, or Werner Herzog? Hmm ... if only I could imagine what a narrative voice-off would sound like. Perhaps it would be judged by Cameron Diaz, Seth Rogen, Christian Bale -- thespian approximations, respectively, of Paula, Randy and Simon: "Ohhh good for you Werner! That was absolutely terrible!" (Judge Bale).

Comparing the invisible merits of these film and TV icons is much like comparing apples to oranges to gooseberries. But why not venture a loose analysis of voice-over stats anyway? Just for kicks.

Werner Herzog
Estimated narrations: 9
Range: Most of German filmmaker Werner Herzog's narration of his self-helmed masterpieces fall into the category of docudrama or documentary with topics ranging from end-of-the-world scientists and POW escapes to champion ski jumpers to Kuwait oil disasters to the grisly tale of a grizzly whisperer.
Personality: It's no surprise Herzog has been referred to as the poet laureate of men in extreme situations. His soft-spoken, carefully paced, thickly accented cadence often lilts like an awed and reverent ode to the fringe subjects he scientifically and psychologically explores with his art.
Identifiability: High for those fond of films that beat to a different drummer, but not as much for more blockbuster-oriented audiences.

James Earl Jones
Estimated narrations: 27, not counting every episode of every TV show he narrated.
Range: At 78, Jones has had ample time to cover a lot of different genres, lending his velvety sound to everything from TV comedies (The Simpsons, 3rd Rock From the Sun) to movie spoofs (Scary Movie 4) to sci-fi (Judge Dredd) to children's stories, historical dramas, biblical tales, as well as political and ecologically-minded documentaries (Earth, which he did with another narrative natural, Patrick Stewart).
Personality: Simultaneously rich, melodious, mountainous and solemn. With his booming baritone JEJ is the Barry White of storytelling, imparting depth and gravity to both the sublime and silly.
Identifiability: Most moviegoers could recognize Jones' mellow notes blindfolded, at the very least, indirectly, when in darkness they hear him and think ... Darth Vader.

Morgan Freeman
Estimated narrations: 16, not tallying individual TV episodes.
Range: So far Freeman's narrative niche seems to be historical documentaries and biographies with a broad scope of themes, including slavery in the U.S., Clint Eastwood's career and a campaign against Clinton's presidency. Add to that dramas and family documentaries (The March of the Penguins).
Personality: A voice to be reckoned with, Morgan's powerful, authoritative bass has a gravelly, slightly sinister, almost sexy edge to it enhanced by his surgically sharp enunciation.
Identifiability: Like JEJ, while Freeman's sound is easy to distinguish with one's eyes closed, it's especially notable for its role in being the voice of "the" supreme being -- i.e. God in Evan Almighty and Bruce Almighty.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Number of works narrated: Hands down, JEJ triumphs: 1 point.
Range: JEJ - 1 point.
Personality: A three-way tie as each is in a league of their own when it comes to vocal charisma and ambiance imparted to the story. 1 point each.
Identifiability: MF and JEJ tie, due to Werner's lack of mainstream notoriety. 1 point for both.

Totals: JEJ: 4; MF: 2; WH 1

So the winner is ... James Earl Jones! But truly they're all narration champs in (for) my book.

Now you decide ...

Recommend (0)

|  Comments (0)

|  Email

|  Share

Share  Facebook Digg del.icio.us