Treasure Planet
James Newton Howard
" The Good, The Bad and the James Newton Howard "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
There are several conclusions you easily make when listening, purchasing and reviewing James Newton Howard's latest Disney effort. First of all, what has been said about the cover of the soundtrack is true. It is indeed one of the best looking covers to come out these past couple of years. The colors and simply the scene of Jim looking at the stars and a pirate ship is fantastic to behold. An A for that. Secondly that the producers are beginning to return to the songs. Dinosaur had no songs, Atlantis one and Treasure Planet now two. It doesn't matter because the length of the score is equally large as the others, but perhaps it's a foreboding of things to come. And last but not least, James Newton Howard's score doesn't come close to the standards of both Dinosaur and Atlantis.
You see, Dinosaur had a long lasting effect, Atlantis had a second part that mesmerized audiences and Treasure Planet has a mesmerizing begin, but sadly way too short. It makes Treasure Planet of James Newton Howard the least of these three. Perhaps I'm being very harsh on it, but simply the anticipation I had for this score didn't exceed my expectations, especially if you realize how well my expectations soared once I began listening to this soundtrack.
During this begin we are treated to a great main theme, a theme that sadly isn't heard all that much. It opens "12 Years Later" where we receive a beautiful violin solo, a cool rocking electric guitar and a soaring main theme statement. And in the continuing "To the Spaceport" we are treated to another dazzling performance of this main theme, this time with soaring string work and a choral finale.
After that, Treasure Planet becomes a hit and miss affair. The rather darker sounds of "Rooftop" take you by surprise, the second part of "Billy Bones" unleashes a ferocious and entertaining adventurous part (with a brief main theme version), "The Map" houses the first sign of the trailer music of the teaser of The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Silver" brings forward a pleasant and playful piece not too far away from John Williams at times. And last but not least "The Launch" dances with a playful manner to a main theme performance and a noticed accordion performance.
After the comfortable "Silver Comforts Jim" the soundtrack turns to some forgettable moments. "Jim Chases Morph" is a rather suspenseful animated affair, apart from the returning trailer music we have alienating sounds in "Ben" and "The Back Door" is loud orchestral animated music that sadly lacks cohesion. "The Portal" delivers some emotional material but is all the while once again a larger example of the more mickey mouse music. Sad considering there's a clear example of good adventurous scoring in the following "Jim Saves the Crew", which is an at times amazing return to the begin of the score.
The returning soft music, Irish jigs and dancing fiddles is for "Silver Leaves", a rather pleasant end to Treasure Planet.
Considering the begin of Treasure Planet is stellar, and the end quite enjoyable, it is sad to discover that the middle isn't of the same standard. It not only lacks the mature edge of Dinosaur and Atlantis, but also their stellar listening experiences. Treasure Planet is at times so good, and at times so forgettable that it leaves me with a disjointed impression. If you stick with the really good material, you'll fall in love with James Newton Howard even a little more, sadly love can reject you too once the negative points begin to distract your attention. Treasure Planet in a nutshell.
Tracklisting
1. I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme): John Rzeznik (4.11)
2. Always Know Where You Are: BBMAK (3.19)
3. 12 Years Later (2.44) Excellent track
4. To The Spaceport (1.55) Excellent track
5. Rooftop (2.32)
6. Billy Bones (2.24)
7. The Map (0.58)
8. Silver (2.39)
9. The Launch (2.42)
10. Silver Comforts Jim (3.23)
11. Jim Chases Morph (3.17)
12. Ben (2.30)
13. Silver Bargains (2.59)
14. The Back Door (4.18)
15. The Portal (5.04)
16. Jim Saves The Crew (4.37)
17. Silver Leaves * (5.11)
* Composed by James Newton Howard & Alasdair Fraser
Total Length: 54.53
You see, Dinosaur had a long lasting effect, Atlantis had a second part that mesmerized audiences and Treasure Planet has a mesmerizing begin, but sadly way too short. It makes Treasure Planet of James Newton Howard the least of these three. Perhaps I'm being very harsh on it, but simply the anticipation I had for this score didn't exceed my expectations, especially if you realize how well my expectations soared once I began listening to this soundtrack.
During this begin we are treated to a great main theme, a theme that sadly isn't heard all that much. It opens "12 Years Later" where we receive a beautiful violin solo, a cool rocking electric guitar and a soaring main theme statement. And in the continuing "To the Spaceport" we are treated to another dazzling performance of this main theme, this time with soaring string work and a choral finale.
After that, Treasure Planet becomes a hit and miss affair. The rather darker sounds of "Rooftop" take you by surprise, the second part of "Billy Bones" unleashes a ferocious and entertaining adventurous part (with a brief main theme version), "The Map" houses the first sign of the trailer music of the teaser of The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Silver" brings forward a pleasant and playful piece not too far away from John Williams at times. And last but not least "The Launch" dances with a playful manner to a main theme performance and a noticed accordion performance.
After the comfortable "Silver Comforts Jim" the soundtrack turns to some forgettable moments. "Jim Chases Morph" is a rather suspenseful animated affair, apart from the returning trailer music we have alienating sounds in "Ben" and "The Back Door" is loud orchestral animated music that sadly lacks cohesion. "The Portal" delivers some emotional material but is all the while once again a larger example of the more mickey mouse music. Sad considering there's a clear example of good adventurous scoring in the following "Jim Saves the Crew", which is an at times amazing return to the begin of the score.
The returning soft music, Irish jigs and dancing fiddles is for "Silver Leaves", a rather pleasant end to Treasure Planet.
Considering the begin of Treasure Planet is stellar, and the end quite enjoyable, it is sad to discover that the middle isn't of the same standard. It not only lacks the mature edge of Dinosaur and Atlantis, but also their stellar listening experiences. Treasure Planet is at times so good, and at times so forgettable that it leaves me with a disjointed impression. If you stick with the really good material, you'll fall in love with James Newton Howard even a little more, sadly love can reject you too once the negative points begin to distract your attention. Treasure Planet in a nutshell.
Tracklisting
1. I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme): John Rzeznik (4.11)
2. Always Know Where You Are: BBMAK (3.19)
3. 12 Years Later (2.44) Excellent track
4. To The Spaceport (1.55) Excellent track
5. Rooftop (2.32)
6. Billy Bones (2.24)
7. The Map (0.58)
8. Silver (2.39)
9. The Launch (2.42)
10. Silver Comforts Jim (3.23)
11. Jim Chases Morph (3.17)
12. Ben (2.30)
13. Silver Bargains (2.59)
14. The Back Door (4.18)
15. The Portal (5.04)
16. Jim Saves The Crew (4.37)
17. Silver Leaves * (5.11)
* Composed by James Newton Howard & Alasdair Fraser
Total Length: 54.53