Le Dernier Loup
James Horner
" Un des dernier James Horner, malheureusement "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Who would have thought Le Dernier Loup (Wolf Totem) would become one of James Horner's last scores. But alas that's the case. The score is definitely again one of the better scores of the year, simply because we're hearing good old fashioned music once again. In this day and age that's become a rarity I'm afraid. But here everything's on board that qualifies for strong orchestral filmmusic. An epic theme ("Leaving for the Country") and powerful suspenseful music that ignites the danger by using a different evil theme this time ("Wolves Stalking Gazelles", "An Offering to Tengger / Chen Saves the Last Wolf Pup").
Drama is all over the place too, in "An Offering to Tengger / Chen Saves the Last Wolf Pup" he adds after the theme his typical dramatic signature that we will sorely miss these upcoming years, just like the build up in "Wolves Attack the Horses", another typical 'inspired by Aliens / Brainstorm' James Horner cue. Back again is the evil four note motif as well, popping up in the equally powerful "The Frozen Lake". But the best tracks are saved for last. First "Hunting the Wolves" that unleashes a wonderful moment of old fashioned music, when tempo's and ideas were used to build up a scene, not stop and starting for every 5 seconds (1.47 - 2.37). And the amazing moment when the theme makes a final last stand in "Return to the Wild", making me cry and closing the score in typical soothing style like he could only do it.
Le Dernier Loup is not one of the most powerful James Horner scores (hence the reason I'm perhaps rating it lower than people would like me too), but it's an old school example of how proper music was written for a movie. And another testament of how his voice will be sorely missed these upcoming years. Repose en paix un des derniers compositeurs.
Track Listing
1. Leaving for the Country (2.18)
2. Wolves Stalking Gazelles (4.19)
3. An Offering to Tengger / Chen Saves the Last Wolf Pup (9.22) Excellent track
4. Wolves Attack the Horses (4.49) Excellent track
5. A Red Ribbon (3.20)
6. The Frozen Lake (4.42)
7. Discovering Hidden Dangers (2.47)
8. Little Wolf (3.27)
9. Scaling the Walls (4.07)
10. Suicide Pact (2.17)
11. Hunting the Wolves (6.05) Excellent track
12. Death of A'Ba (1.35)
13. Return to the Wild (9.52) Excellent track
Total Length: 59.02
Drama is all over the place too, in "An Offering to Tengger / Chen Saves the Last Wolf Pup" he adds after the theme his typical dramatic signature that we will sorely miss these upcoming years, just like the build up in "Wolves Attack the Horses", another typical 'inspired by Aliens / Brainstorm' James Horner cue. Back again is the evil four note motif as well, popping up in the equally powerful "The Frozen Lake". But the best tracks are saved for last. First "Hunting the Wolves" that unleashes a wonderful moment of old fashioned music, when tempo's and ideas were used to build up a scene, not stop and starting for every 5 seconds (1.47 - 2.37). And the amazing moment when the theme makes a final last stand in "Return to the Wild", making me cry and closing the score in typical soothing style like he could only do it.
Le Dernier Loup is not one of the most powerful James Horner scores (hence the reason I'm perhaps rating it lower than people would like me too), but it's an old school example of how proper music was written for a movie. And another testament of how his voice will be sorely missed these upcoming years. Repose en paix un des derniers compositeurs.
Track Listing
1. Leaving for the Country (2.18)
2. Wolves Stalking Gazelles (4.19)
3. An Offering to Tengger / Chen Saves the Last Wolf Pup (9.22) Excellent track
4. Wolves Attack the Horses (4.49) Excellent track
5. A Red Ribbon (3.20)
6. The Frozen Lake (4.42)
7. Discovering Hidden Dangers (2.47)
8. Little Wolf (3.27)
9. Scaling the Walls (4.07)
10. Suicide Pact (2.17)
11. Hunting the Wolves (6.05) Excellent track
12. Death of A'Ba (1.35)
13. Return to the Wild (9.52) Excellent track
Total Length: 59.02