Pete's Dragon

Daniel Hart

 
" Pete's Dragon flies into my heart! "

Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release

Newcomer Daniel Hart was asked to compose the music for the recent Disney live action remake of Pete's Dragon. A bold choice considering I never heard of him, but a question of loyalty too considering he worked with the director before. The result is an at times thrilling fantasy adventure score, with a bold main theme as cornerstone. I see Pete's Dragon working its magic during various scenes in the film ("Reverie", "Follow that Dragon", "Abyss"), because at times it gives me honest to god goosebumps. Old fashioned goosebumps when a theme was let out to blow its scene out of proportions. It is the sign of proper filmmusic that it tells you it's out there. Not to serve but elevate the film. A fantasy film like this needs outbursts like that and Daniel Hart happily provides. That with a couple of jaunty tunes for pleasure makes the score all the more enjoyable. Sadly that feeling is a bit lost during the middle, proving a shorter release would have elevated the experience even more. All in all a surprising and thoroughly enjoyable listen in places, with a bold main theme that will be remembered during the film and definitely on CD. Well done Daniel Hart.

the main theme in all its glory is quite stirring, it truly evokes the wonder and fantasy of flying
The action music is big and stirring too, Hart unleashes various pompous minutes of music ("Follow that Dragon", "Elliot at the Bridge")
The Irish tints are all over the place, giving it a local flair
The score has various themes, and they make the score better
Don't comment much on songs, but "Something Wild" is spot on for this genre, plus the Irish tint in it is downright amazing
Middle is nice but a little bit of a drag

Track Listing

1. The Dragon Song: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2.28)
2. Something Wild: Lindsey Stirling (3.43) Excellent track
3. Nobody Knows: The Lumineers (3.09)
4. Something on Your Mind: St. Vincent (3.01)
5. So Long, Marianne: Leonard Cohen (5.40) Excellent track
6. Gina Anne: Bosque Brown (2.40)
7. An Adventure (3.05)
8. Are You Gonna Eat Me? (2.32)
9. Brown Bunny (1.01)
10. Reverie (2.53) Excellent track
11. Tree Fort (1.03)
12. North Star (1.25)
13. Bedtime Compass (2.16)
14. Timber (1.19)
15. Breathe (2.28)
16. Gavin Knows What He's Doing (3.43)
17. You Are Not Alone (1.59)
18. Elliot Gets Lost (4.26)
19. Takedown (1.45)
20. It'll Be Just Like It Used to Be (2.04)
21. Follow That Dragon (3.01) Excellent track
22. Elliot at the Bridge (2.19)
23. Abyss (1.36) Excellent track
24. Go North (1.44)
25. Saying Goodbye (5.04) Excellent track
26. The Bravest Boy I've Ever Met (2.46) Excellent track
27. The Dragon Song Revisited: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2.35)
28. Candle on the Water: Okkervil River (4.01)

Total Length: 75.46
(click to rate this score)  
 
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(total of 5 votes - average 4.8/5)

Released by

Walt Disney Records D002227402 (regular release 2016)

Conducted by

Kevin Kaska

Orchestrations by

Stephen Coleman

Performed by

London Voices