The soundtrack to the most anticipated film of the year...
Written: Dec 02 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: most of the soundtrack
Cons: a couple of them. Nothing worse then a B-
The Bottom Line: Some of the early tracks aren't great, but the majority of this soundtrack is quite wonderful.
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| The_Wood's Full Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ... |
Depending on who you ask, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring may very well be the most anticipated film of all time, and I happen to be one of those people who thinks that. The Tolkien books are the best pieces of literature I have ever read. I am so excited to see the film, but at the same time I am worried. What happens if the movie sucks? In a way the film might just be one of the biggest heartbreaks in film history, or it could be an instant classic. Screenings happened last week, and every review I have read has been praising the film. The only negative things I am hearing, is the fact that Peter Jackson didn't manage to make "the greatest film ever made." Oh too bad. It doesn't hurt that Peter Travers of Rollingstone is rumored to have named it the #1 film of the year. Time will tell how the movie is, but here are my thoughts on the soundtrack.
As I write this review I am listening to the soundtrack. I hardly know anything about music, so as I write this, I will be talking about how each song makes me feel. What I think about and how it might fit in with the movie.
1 - The Prophecy 3:55
Like the title of the song suggests, I assume this is the opening of the film that tells the story of the one ring. The opening is very dark and epic, with interesting monk like chanting in the background. About the 2:30 mark it gets a bit lighter, turning into a wonderful little dramatic piece. The opening piece definatly has a greatness to it.
Grade A - 2:55
2 - Concerning Hobbits
I love this piece. Ever since I got the soundtrack I have been humming this little tune in my head. It's so lighthearted and gentle, it could very well be the perfect way to introduce the Hobbits. This little tune has such a charm to it, I just hope the film is able to recapture that gentleness. Closing my eyes, I can just imagine the little Hobbits working in their gardens, and perhaps eating food, very descriptive.
Grade A +
3 - The Shadow of the Past 3:32
The song starts off much like The Prophecy did, it's very mysterious. About the 1:15 mark it starts getting violent, I guess that would be the best word for it. There is something evil going on, and then it starts to die down. Nice mood setter, but a little too in your face for my liking.
Grade B -
4 - The Treason of Isengard 4:00
I like the opening, sounds like female voices humming a gentle tune, but in the background the music is most defiantly dark and dangerous. A nice combination of dark and light. It starts off with a dark theme, then there is the hero theme, and then goes back to the dark theme. Very brave and magnificent. Now there is more chanting and screaming, I can't understand what is being said, or even if it's in English. Interesting...
Grade B
5 - The Black Rider 2:48
Its got a lovely little hobbit tune going for it, but that quickly changes and there is a very exciting sense of dread and fear that begins to take form quickly with the piece. It's a gentle tune, but it's pulse is insane. It quickly turns into something horrifying, and evil. More chanting, that's getting just a little old. I wish Howard Shore would try something new. No doubt about it, this one has an excellent mood to it.
Grade B
6 - At the Sign of The Prancing Pony 3:13
The opening to this piece sounds completely different then anything that I have heard on the soundtrack yet. It's beautiful and has a unique sound. You got to say one thing about this piece, and with all the songs so far on the soundtrack, they sure no how to change moods quickly. More shouting now, but it quickly stopped.
Grade A -
7 - A Knife in the Dark 3:33
This one doesn't waste any time. It quickly throws you into excitement and danger. More words being spoken, I suppose in Latin, or in one of the middle earth languages. I wish Howard Shore would have stuck more to instrumental, and stopped throwing in all these voices. Oh dear God, it just got cool as ever with the instrumental music. I can just picture the hobbits being put into very dark danger. Back and fourth on evil and good. It's going to be interesting to see how this works in the movie. Just from this soundtrack, I can tell that the movie is going to be one hell of a ride.
Grade B +
8 - Flight to the Ford 4:14
Quite beautiful of an opening. I expect it will turn on me any minute, but right now I am enjoying the gentleness of this piece. I can just imagine seeing beautiful shots of Middle Earth while this piece plays. Yep it just got menacing as all hell. It works, but I would like to hear more pieces that would stick to one mood. That's just me I guess.
Grade A -
9 - Many Meetings 3:05
Oddly enough, I don't know how many of you remember the soundtrack to Total Recall, but this song kind of reminds me of it. I should be thinking of what's going on in this film, but instead I see Arnold looking at Mars. It's pretty cool though. It's got the nice hero theme incorporated with it, along with almost the gentleness of the Hobbit song. Now I am really getting into this piece, so far it sounds the most different then any of the other songs on this soundtrack.
Grade A
10 - The Council of Elrond Featuring Aniron (Theme from Aragorn and Arwen) Composed and performed by Enya 3:49
This is seriously one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard on a soundtrack. Enya is epic and timeless. Beautiful and touching, I wonder if they will play this song the radio, because they should. So far this is the best song on the soundtrack. Wonderful!
Grade A +
11 - The Ring Goes South 2:02
Very epic and wonderful. I can see the fellowship traveling while the music plays. They are not sure where their quest will take them, they know they will meet darkness and evil, their just not sure when. Short and sweet.
Grade A
12 - A Journey in the Dark 4:20
This song is very dark and depressing in the beginning. You know that something bad is about to happen, but your not sure when. For anyone who saw the FOX behind the scenes making on the film, you know the big action sequence in the dwarf mines, that's in this piece. Very strong and exciting.
Grade A
13 - The Bridge of Khazad Dum 5:57
For anyone who has read the books, you know this is one of the most powerful scenes in the entire series. For those of you that haven't read the books, this scene is going to blow you away. The music expresses many different emotions. If the film can match this score in this scene, we are in for something unforgettable. Terrifying and horrific, and then of course completely heartbreaking.
Grade A +
14 - Lothlorien 4:33
Nice, but it sounds like a lot of the things we have heard before on the soundtrack. It can't match the power that The Bride of Khazad Dum has, and it shouldn't. Lovely, but nothing mind-blowing. The last half of this song is very interesting and unique. A dull opening and great ending!
Grade B
15 - The Great River 2:42
Like most of the soundtrack, this track has a very epic and beautiful feel to it. This is one of those pieces that just fills your head with wonder and amazement. You so badly want to know what's going on, I have already created so many images in my head, I just hope Jackson can deliver.
Grade B +
16 - Amon Hen 5:02
This has a lot of the same feel as some of the other songs. It's hard to distinguish certain songs from the rest, and this is one of those. Not a bad song, in fact it's excellent. It's just more of the same, which I suppose is good. You don't want everything in the score to sound completely different, or it wouldn't fit. When it gets to the two minute mark, it really picks up.
Grade B
17 - The Breaking of the Fellowship 7:20
This is not the end of the journey, this is merely the beginning. That idea is put to music perfectly with this song. Gentle and heroic, there is something very special in this piece. One of the most memorable songs on the soundtrack. It also has actual singing in it, with words that can be understood. Very nice.
Grade A
18 - May It Be Composed and performed by Enya
4:15
Very elegant. Hopefully while this song plays, audiences will have witnessed one of the most beautiful and wonderful films ever. I am crossing my fingers. The music is wonderful, now all we need is to have the movie live up to it. For anyone who likes Enya, this song is the reason to own the soundtrack.
Grade A +
The Soundtrack: A -
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Dan Ray
Location: SLC UT
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