The Sixth Sense
James Newton Howard
" James, do you see Dead people too? "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Already now known for the most famous words ever "I See Dead People", the movie was and remains a pure artistic intelligent masterpiece which undoubtedly belongs in the annals of best movies ever made. The director of this particular film M. Night Shymalan became world famous through this, yet sadly fame has a nasty reputation to bit you back in the ass once you don't deliver anymore what the public wants to see. Of course that being the case, The Sixth Sense to this date remains his ultimate pride and joy, and it was here that he became friends with a composer who is now responsible for the musical Shyamalan magic.
You see, even though Shyamalan's magic began to crumble after a while, James Newton Howard's music never sounded better. Making their first collaboration already a first positive impression. The particular thing however of The Sixth Sense is not that it's so fantastic on CD, it's more fantastic in the subtle details its leaving behind. And it is in these details that many people will see eye to eye with the composer's voice and recipe. It is simply the mood and craftsmanship that made the score so effective during the movie that you constantly remember back at what particular scene was carrying that particular score. Now, we have come to accept it as underscore for most of the time, but grown to appreciate it as music that makes movies better.
Let's begin with the obvious first. The Sixth Sense has got two main themes, both piano based and light in nature. Cole's theme is most notably used during the first tracks, like in "Run to the Church", "Photographs" and even very briefly during "Suicide Ghost". It is a theme that definitely holds a kind of mystery. The other theme (representing Malcolm) is used much more, and it is also the only theme that is destined to grow to bigger things. "De Profundis" is the first track where it reveals itself, but moments such as "Malcolm's Story / Cole's Secret" or "Tape of Vincent" are indicators of this score's intricate craftsmanship. A shrieking violin moment in "Hanging Ghosts" will raise your hair easily all the while "Suicide Ghost" will scare the living crap out of you, whether inside the movie or on disc.
Still, the sole reason that made The Sixth Sense such a brilliant movie is the climax of the film. And apparently with Varèse Sarabande they like to destroy your movie experience. If you don't like to read spoilers, if you still have to see the movie then please look away now because I haven't read such a clear spoiler in a tracklisting since the day I was born. Meaning "Spoiler is Spoiler" is the whole reason this very film is remembered, and it houses this score's most amazing moment. First the conclusive choral based music starts to put you into disbelief before a very soothing and satisfying musical finish closes the score. This sole attractive lighthearted touch was first noted during track 6 but appears here once more and is most welcome in giving both the movie and the score a somewhat relieving ending.
Listening back to this album, it remains to this date the weakest JNH score for MNS. That said there isn't anything weak about The Sixth Sense, which brings me to the point that the man has written literally brilliant music for the Indian director, and The Sixth Sense so happens is the one where the least amount of things happen. It's quieter, representing little Cole who is reserved too. It also doesn't contain a lot of stings or horrific moments, making the listen quite easy to appreciate as well. But it brings forward a magical climax nonetheless, making The Sixth Sense still an album to periodically listen to. That is if you still see ghosts.
Tracklisting
1. Run to the Church (1.21)
2. De Profundis (2.23)
3. Mind Reading (2.45)
4. Photographs (0.55)
5. Suicide Ghost (1.33)
6. Malcolm's Story / Cole's Secret (4.01)
7. Hanging Ghosts (2.31)
8. Tape of Vincent (3.30)
9. Help the Ghosts / Kyra's Ghost (4.29)
10. Kyra's Tape (2.02)
11. Malcolm is Dead (4.44) Excellent track
Total Length: 30.15
You see, even though Shyamalan's magic began to crumble after a while, James Newton Howard's music never sounded better. Making their first collaboration already a first positive impression. The particular thing however of The Sixth Sense is not that it's so fantastic on CD, it's more fantastic in the subtle details its leaving behind. And it is in these details that many people will see eye to eye with the composer's voice and recipe. It is simply the mood and craftsmanship that made the score so effective during the movie that you constantly remember back at what particular scene was carrying that particular score. Now, we have come to accept it as underscore for most of the time, but grown to appreciate it as music that makes movies better.
Let's begin with the obvious first. The Sixth Sense has got two main themes, both piano based and light in nature. Cole's theme is most notably used during the first tracks, like in "Run to the Church", "Photographs" and even very briefly during "Suicide Ghost". It is a theme that definitely holds a kind of mystery. The other theme (representing Malcolm) is used much more, and it is also the only theme that is destined to grow to bigger things. "De Profundis" is the first track where it reveals itself, but moments such as "Malcolm's Story / Cole's Secret" or "Tape of Vincent" are indicators of this score's intricate craftsmanship. A shrieking violin moment in "Hanging Ghosts" will raise your hair easily all the while "Suicide Ghost" will scare the living crap out of you, whether inside the movie or on disc.
Still, the sole reason that made The Sixth Sense such a brilliant movie is the climax of the film. And apparently with Varèse Sarabande they like to destroy your movie experience. If you don't like to read spoilers, if you still have to see the movie then please look away now because I haven't read such a clear spoiler in a tracklisting since the day I was born. Meaning "Spoiler is Spoiler" is the whole reason this very film is remembered, and it houses this score's most amazing moment. First the conclusive choral based music starts to put you into disbelief before a very soothing and satisfying musical finish closes the score. This sole attractive lighthearted touch was first noted during track 6 but appears here once more and is most welcome in giving both the movie and the score a somewhat relieving ending.
Listening back to this album, it remains to this date the weakest JNH score for MNS. That said there isn't anything weak about The Sixth Sense, which brings me to the point that the man has written literally brilliant music for the Indian director, and The Sixth Sense so happens is the one where the least amount of things happen. It's quieter, representing little Cole who is reserved too. It also doesn't contain a lot of stings or horrific moments, making the listen quite easy to appreciate as well. But it brings forward a magical climax nonetheless, making The Sixth Sense still an album to periodically listen to. That is if you still see ghosts.
Tracklisting
1. Run to the Church (1.21)
2. De Profundis (2.23)
3. Mind Reading (2.45)
4. Photographs (0.55)
5. Suicide Ghost (1.33)
6. Malcolm's Story / Cole's Secret (4.01)
7. Hanging Ghosts (2.31)
8. Tape of Vincent (3.30)
9. Help the Ghosts / Kyra's Ghost (4.29)
10. Kyra's Tape (2.02)
11. Malcolm is Dead (4.44) Excellent track
Total Length: 30.15