Move over, young composers of the day — the Master is back.
It’s been 3 and a half long years since the last new full John Williams film score… and in one over-far-too-soon new Original Soundtrack CD, the Maestro reminds us why he is not only one of the best composers the world of celluloid has ever seen, but one of the most versatile as well.
I think I counted no less than 10 different themes over the course of the 65 minute soundtrack album, weaving in and out of exciting action riffs, gorgeous orchestrations that put you right into various locations around the world in seconds, mysterious legend-exploring passages, character-defining moments, and virtuoso concert arrangements that must have left every orchestra member desperate to catch their breath! Balancing out everything you’d expect in a good globe-trotting adventure are moments of true comedy, thanks to the themes for Captain Haddock and the bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson.
Overall this is fantastic score by the maestro, covering a huge range of emotions, ideas, soundscapes, and instrumental palettes. It’s got to be impossible to not find something to like on the CD, with so many different ideas present. Yet it never feels like you are listening to a disjointed mess; the many themes of the score tie everything together so you always know what score you are listening to. The themes may not be as instantly classic or memorable as so many themes in John Williams’ repertoire are, but that is perfectly alright. The method taken just plain works here, and the score — at least as presented on the CD — is a fantastic listening experience from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
(http://www.jwfan.com/?p=1266)
MAG.MOE - The MAG, The MOE.