scallenger

I liked the film quite a bit, and was a definite improvement over the first. Here is my little review of sorts, taken from my blog: Favorite Aspects: -The acting. This one really did showcase much more acting range than previous films from most involved. Some go over-the-top, but then again when they did the scenes usually called upon them to be this way. -The cinematography. I was concerned about this when I first saw the trailers, but am pleasantly surprised by it's bleak look. The whole film has this strange dark feeling to it not present in any of the other films. I'm not sure what kind of filter they used or whatever, but it I really like this bleak look of the film for some reason. However, it does not make the film look very magical, and that is perhaps why it is almost startling. Although I thought the last film lacked a magical look as well, when I said that I meant it lacked magical stuff going on in the background. This is very true for this film as well, but not only that, the lighting of everything and grain in the film makes the walls and their bleakness stand out and almost creep you out by their presence. It's hard to describe accurately. While I miss the look of Prisoner of Azkaban quite a bit, I can't help but admit this look fits the story of darkness taking over. -The direction. Very surprised by liking this aspect, since I was not a fan at all of it in the last film. I'm sure the change in cinematography helped out in liking the direction more, but it isn't the sole reason. David Yates seems to have learned from the last film that making a movie that is mostly just a series of montages is not very engaging or respectful to the novel source. While there are of course a time or two when a montage moment happens, it isn't nearly on the same level was it was before. He fleshes out moments this time and lets them linger long enough to finally savor them. The way he films the more intense moments are also much more engaging and have more impact. While I am still worried as to how he will tackle action scenes in the final installment, I will say I was not nearly as dissapointed in this film as I was with scenes like the fight at the ministry in the last film. He has improved quite a bit, and that gives me hope. He gets the most out of the actors and handles the pivotal scenes better than I thought he would (though still different than I imagined sometimes, for better or for worse). -The special effects. This sort of goes without saying, as they have always been good ever since Chamber of Secrets. Quidditch looks better than ever before , and the entire cave segment was wonderful. A major special effects highlight, and very creepy and even scary. I am amazed that this film has a PG rating for that scene alone (but also for various moments involving violence and blood, which there are more than one). The effects in the very beginning of the film for the are also quite impressive, and heard that it is this segment that gets 3D treatment on IMAX. Can't wait to see it in that form! -Dumbledore. Though Michael Gambon's take on the character hasn't always been what I thought it should be (see Goblet of Fire), he really gives his best performance of the series in this film. Gone is the angry announcer Dumbledore and instead is the weakened and frantic Dumbledore who now depends on Harry more than before (and expects more out of him). In a recent interview Gambon said he has never, and never plans to, read the Potter books. While I think this may have helped him deliver a better and more consistent character with the last few films, here he did fine without the added knowledge. Great performance. -Professor Slughorn. Played brilliantly by Jim Broadbent, the new Potions teacher is one of the more fun and interesting aspects of this new film. He is delightfully high on himself and high on "collecting" people based on their importance. Imagined exactly as I did when I read the book. -The comedy and the drama. This film has quantities of both a bit greater than in any of the other films, and will probably be remembered as such. It really is a 50/50 film, continuously switching back and forth between the two. Although I wish they had more focus on the drama, I admit actually loving the comic moments for the most part. However, you really have to like the characters to appreciate these moments. If you are just a casual fan of the series, you may be a bit put off at how silly it can get. But in my opinion, I never thought they went too far and it all suited their characters well. And after the last film being particularly unfun, this was a great change of pace. But when the drama fully takes over the last act of the film, it is the most dramatic in the entire series. I applaud them for not toning anything down. -The added scenes. Though not needed for the story at all, I thought they were executed rather well. But it at least added some excitement to an otherwise actionless film. Least Favorite Aspects: -Things left out. Though not nearly as many scenes are left out in this film as there were in the last, there are a few very important ones that really should have stayed. The scenes I am talking about are of course the other memories involving Voldemort's past. We get 2.5 of them in the film version, and although they are the most vital ones, they really should have gone all the way. But besides that, there are lots of things left out that make way for many plot holes for the uninformed. but one of the more obvious omissions is seen at the beginning of the film: no Durselys, again. This was dissapointing for me, since this is the 2nd time they have done this now. Luckily, although not yet confirmed, I am sure they will be in the first part of the next film. They kind of have to be, I think, judging by the novel. So at least we will see them one last time. -The pacing. This is a slower, more talky film than most of the other Potter films. I am not very surprised by this, since the novel was the same way, but it does hurt the film a bit. Especially because it is rather long. It probably didn't help it for a midnight screening (I heard complaints about it being boring by some people when leaving), but I never got really bored by it. It is good that they added a couple of more exciting scenes, but in that case, Would have made all of the talky scenes more forgotten if this had been put in the film. Definitely one of the less exciting films in overall pace, though never nearly as careless and boring as Order of the Phoenix. -The music. I heard it in album form before I saw the movie, and it is definitely the worst stand-alone Potter music of the series. It actually made me angry that it was so forgettable, unoriginal, and mindless. There is no promise here of Hooper expanding his talent at all if he does score the final film. Luckily, the music works a little better in the film, most notably , but overall the film actually lacked music. They may actually have the entire score on the CD, for there were extended periods of time in the film where there was a complete absence of music. This did not help the film's pacing issue at all, for I am sure if there was at least some interesting music playing, even if it was just underscore, the film would have a much better flow. In the end... Although I think this film doesn't deserve the mostly overwhelming positive criticism, it is a much better adaptation of the novel than the last film was. It isn't among my new favorite films of the Potter series, but it was much more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be. David Yates has climbed up a few steps to prove he is talented enough to perhaps give audiences a gripping adaptation of the final novel. However, Nicholas Hooper has proved that he should step aside and let someone else, hopefully John Williams, take over as music composer. While the film lacks magic, it has plenty of character and shows that the world is being taken over by darkness. It's winning. And I love that aspect of this film. It's almost like nothing wants to be magical anymore because it is too beaten down by Voldemort's takeover. Although if this is the angle they are really taking, I want to see some more dark magic now. This film is a good build-up for the grand finale. Let's all hope they make it a good one.

I don't understand why there was this confusion if Williams would do one part or both parts to begin with. When Heyman mentioned that scheduling could conflict for Part 2, I think that really just meant that while he could fit Part 1 in his schedule, Part 2 would be the difficult one to make a schedule for, for whatever reasons.

As much as I love LSO, there are other orchestras that play just as good in my ears. For example, I had no idea Temple of Doom and Last Crusade were NOT LSO scores until years after I heard them. I always just assumed they were because they sounded great.

I guess I can see why he wants to record in LA, since isn't that where he now resides? And perhaps since it is two films basically back-to-back, perhaps he wouldn't want to make a London trip for that long. But if this really is the case, why would it be a problem for the producers to grant this request? In a way wouldn't it also cost them less for him to do it in Los Angeles? Or am I forgetting something...

Or it could mean that Part 1 is cleared, but that Part 2 may conflict with Williams' other projects (Tintin, presumably). That's what I am thinking. If so, perhaps Williams could just compose the 2nd half and have someone, like William Ross again, adapt/conduct it? I don't like that Heyman said it was a "big if", but the fact that he hasn't written it off for everyone yet really gives me hope. What makes me really happy is that he didn't say something like "well, Yates is the director so if he wants Hooper back, then so be it." I really hope that won't happen. Anything but that.

Take a look: http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/t/2009/7...y-hallows-films

Good questions, paleo! I would like to ask how he is going to tackle "Deathly Hallows", if he is indeed going to score it, for the story is full of action, and if the score is not as well, it simply will NOT work. Thanks.

I completely agree with Paleo's take on the score. It's hollow, it is not memorable at all, and it is not dramatic to me in the slightest. It is boring, useless, filler music that may barely even serve the scenes they are meant to accompany. Listening to it all the way through made me feel quite angry afterwards, actually. Like others have said, they had so much time to fix this score if they wanted to, but didn't. I am very, very scared of the fate of The Deathly Hallows. I am already not a big fan of David Yates's take on the films. I certainly don't think he has the talent to pull off any thrilling action, if the last film was any evidence, and from what I heard from this new one of him skimping out on the action in the finale. For anyone who has read the final book the last two films will be based on, there is one major setpiece of action to the next. It should feel thrilling and exciting, and I am worried it won't at all. Which is a huge, huge shame. Though I am already worried about Yates, I am more worried now about Hooper. His style of music, which has now shown to be quite worse than I originally thought, will NOT work with the final story. It truly won't, if they really are doing it like the book and filling it with as many scenes as they can. I hope Warner Brothers will realize this and choose someone- anyone- to replace him and go for someone more action-oriented or even just capable of dramatic music. I think now is an appropriate time for me to pull out this petition I did for John Williams to do Deathly Hallows a long time before all of this. It was posted in JWFAN news sometime before the Indy box set came out, and got about 500 sigs. Well let's add more... and maybe we can at least show Warner Brothers we are NOT happy. All of this has actually made me quite angry as to how it could all turn out. I'm fearing the worst. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/William...lows/index.html

You seem to make a lot of good decisions in acquiring scores and getting good deals on amazon. And clearly, you make some very good decisions right here on this board as well.

Ah, you did, did you? Who did you go with? Do I know him?

Did this journey happen to be to California to visit a certain JWFAN forum member?

So there still isn't anything worthwhile (from Williams anyway) to rip from the Staff of Kings game? That is a shame. Even more of a shame I guess that I heard the game wasn't that great, really. So now we just have hope then for the Lego Indiana Jones 2 game? And perhaps Lego Indiana Jones 3 when the 5th movie comes out.

That would be... the best... movie... EVER! Cute.

Score: 5 Movie: 5 Theme: Short Round This is, without a doubt, my favorite Indiana Jones score, and is one of my favorite scores of all time! I like all the other Indy scores (yes, that even includes Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) but I consider this one a clear standout. They are all 5 star scores (except that 4th one I already mentioned, more like a 4), but this one would be a 6 if there was such a rating. It just goes above and beyond what I expect from scores these days. It is fun almost all the way through, with loud and crazy themes that play off of each other, a motiff for just about every type of event and character you can think of (including water!), and has, in my opinion, the best moments featuring the Indy theme EVER (who can resist it's triumphant take in "Short Round Helps" as it plays off of Shorty's theme?). It's also the darkest and most intense Indy score, and the evil Kali chanting is classic and well known even with non-score fans. It's one of the few scores I can listen to all the way through without skipping a track (and I of course mean the recent Concord CD release). As for the film, it is also my favorite Indiana Jones film. I'm sure many here don't have that same view, as most people discard the film, but I love it for it's over-the-top insanity, which the score greatly reflects. Sure it gets silly and stupid, and to some, annoying, but that's what oddly makes it fun for me to watch, and see Indy reacting to his fish-out-of-water sidekicks and the darkness of a cult. I do like all of the Indy films, but this one was always the most entertaining to me. And who doesn't get a kick out of the mine car chase, with it's frantic music pulsating with every dip on the track? The theme to choose in this poll was a bit hard since I love both themes almost equally. But in the end, Short Round had the most memorable theme of the two and some of the most interesting renditions and playful use (again, the cue Short Round Helps is a stand out). I guess everyone has their own personal favorite Indy score, though. Someone very close to me favors Last Crusade, score and film. Do most people here favor the same Indy score that goes with the same film they prefer? Hmmm...

Yeah, by me!!! And you ended up almost liking it! And you didn't like Star Trek! You've become... my... polar... opposite... Nooooooooooo!

I wonder if it will be easier to rip music from PS2 or WII for the Staff of Kings game? Does anyone here know how to do either one?

You're right, I did know.

Score: 5 Movie: 5 Favorite Theme: Island Theme This movie and score is my most personal. It is the movie that got me into movies and the score that got me into scores. So there is no way I could personally rate either one lower than the highest rating. I admit that there are better made movies and scores (by Williams and others) that have a better overall quality, but both are so etched into my childhood and my "purpose" that they will always be number 1. I still think the movie is one of the best action/adventure movies, especially of the 90s. I never quite get why so many people bash the actors in the movie. Sure there are some cheesy moments with them, but I don't think the characters are that thin. Especially when you look at action films of today... eesh! And regardless of the acting, the movie still holds some truly classic scenes that are unforgettable, such as the helicopter's journey to the island (music helped with that), the raptors in the kitchen, and of course, the T-Rex attack on the tour cars. As for the score... it is simply wonderful to listen to, but with some reservations, mostly due to the CD's organization and setup. I have always, ALWAYS hated non-chronological CDs, and this one is no exception. I also wish there was more from the score on the CD, like one my favorite cues, the T-Rex Jeep Chase! But the real crime is the very, very unnecessary copy and paste job they did for the End Credits. Why did they do make a short edited version when they included the actual end credits (titled Welcome to Jurassic Park) already! They could have used that unnecessary space for some other music from the film, or even nothing would have been better. It's just interesting, however, to point out that so many people love the music from Jurassic Park, even those who don't generally listen to movie scores. It's two grand sweeping themes have captivated many. But luckily for film score fans there are other themes and motiffs that have also always been a joy to listen to (the sad music for Hammond, the peaceful herbivore music, the haunting and scary carnivore motiff, and even the almost outlandish Dennis Nedry music). And compared to other Williams scores, there is some strange quality to this one. It just sounds... different. I don't know if it is the mixing (which is great, btw!) or what... but the tone and mood of the entire score is very different to me than anything he has done. So... those are my thoughts. Oh, also... do check out the book if you can. It is, of course, also my favorite book, and even if you don't believe the story is possible, it is a very entertaining fantasy. Sometimes it does get a little talky on the scientific ideas, but those are what makes the book seem so real sometimes. And besides, before it goes on too long you get into some very exciting sequences that are much more elaborate than in the film, for the most part. And some of them ended up being put in the 3rd film because it would have cost so much to have them, at the time, in the first film.

My little review of TERMINATOR SALVATION: What the hell?! Those are the first words to pop in my head after seeing this film. And I don't mean "What the hell?!" as in "wow there was so much crazy stuff going on, what did I just see?!", but more like "wow what was the purpose of this film at all?". This movie is the worst thing I have seen all year. I mean, this was supposed to be the film every TERMINATOR fan has always wanted to see: the future war! But let me just tell you now: the mere glimpses you see in the previous films are way, way better than this film. Let's have a brief rundown of why this movie is horrible: -Very bad and very thin plot. -Average to bad acting. -Cliches up the kazoo. -Bad soundtrack (and it was by Danny Elfman, too, who I usually like!), except for the all-too-brief quotes of the TERMINATOR theme. -Lame use of an Arnold cameo. -Incredibly slow pacing throughout. -Nothing looks very interesting or visually spectacular. -Only two action sequences go on for very long. One is very Transformers-esque (meaning you want to scream: it's been done already, recently, and better!), the other is too similar in ways to the final duel in T2. -Nothing was compelling, nothing felt dramatic. No tension. -Insulting use of popular quotes from the previous films. -Didn't care about any of the characters. None were cool, except Kyle Reese, but they never gave him much to do. -Stupid character of a little girl who is basically a plot device to give main characters useful things, sort of like a Felix The Cat bag, but a person. ... I could go on, but I won't. I think you get the idea. This is the worst summer film I have seen in a long time, and it had very high expectations from a lot of people. The worst thing about the movie is that it was not fun at all. It was painful. And they want to make this into a trilogy? Count me out. And if this is the Future War... where is all the fighting? Where is all of the suspense? Even terror? No? Proper atmosphere? None of it is there! Which leaves you wondering why they made this and who the film was really for. Gullible fans I guess, but unfortunately that makes me and every other TERMINATOR fan gullible because we have almost all wanted to see what this movie was supposed to be, and no matter what any fan hears or reads, even my review, you will want to see it anyway. But really, guys. It IS that bad. People may bash TERMINATOR 3, but it was a masterpiece compared to this outing. At least that movie was fun and exciting, as goofy as it sometimes got. So, sorry everyone, but this one has killed the franchise for me. No more. I'm sure James Cameron will be pissed if he ever sees it. For those that want a movie version of the Future War that is better, just go to Universal Studios and experience the T2: 3D attraction. It takes you into the future war and is far more exciting than anything presented in this new film. And it has Arnold and was directed by James Cameron! It also features the T-1 Million: a scary spider-like liquid Terminator that has unfairly never been used in the other films. Now there is something that needs to be put on DVD! I can only hope. Because I wouldn't buy or see this new movie again for a penny. I will list the two strong points of the film: -Great special effects. -Great animatronic effects, featuring the last Stan Winston ever did. It's too bad however that this film is dedicated to him. He deserved a better last outing.

I rated 3.5 for both score and film. Originally the impression the score on CD gave me was no more than a 3. But after incorporating the extended bits of the Jungle Chase and the entire Warehouse Escape track from the Pre-Viz DVD bonus features, those two tracks alone bumped up the score as a whole in my opinion. The Jungle Chase in it's entirety (or near-entirety) is a classic Indiana Jones action cue, IMO. As it was on the OST, it was not. And that Warehouse Escape cue is one of my favorites from the score, and I think Williams made a big mistake not including it at all on the OST in favor of slower cues of underscore. For the other Indy scores I would give a 4 for Raiders and Last Crusade and a 5 for Temple of Doom. As for the film, I remember being really upset the first time I saw it. I didn't like it much at all, and originally would have given it something like a 2. But as I have seen it more, I have grown to like it a lot more. But it still is subpar to the original films, which I give all 5s for those.

Definitely JURASSIC PARK 3. It's the fun and silly version of JURASSIC PARK (score and film) and has always been a very entertaining listen. I like listening to it much more than THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK mostly because it actually incorporates multiple themes and motifs from the first film (and even hints from the second film if you listen closely). And when Don Davis isn't using the original themes he creates some interesting and fun new ones for the film. If any of you have ever been afraid to hear this score, you got to check it out. And it's even better in it's complete form, which a promo was made for it. There was even once clips of unreleased material on Don's official site, but it all can be found in near-CD quality... elsewhere. The only bad thing about the original album CD is the inclusion of that stupid "Big Hat, No Cattle" song. Yeah, it's in the movie, but in one random scene when they are at a restaurant in the background! Why did it have to be on CD and take up space for more original music? I hate those kind of decisions. I also hate that it was one of those "enhanced CDs" where you put them in your computer and it has this "bonus content" that loads. The only cool stuff it really had was the good version of the trailer (not the one they have on the DVDs), a text interview with Don Davis, and a trailer for a really cool looking JURASSIC PARK game that actually never got completed or released. Shame, looked much better than Operation Genesis, and probably would have had more exciting music, too.

For those who don't want to buy the game you could always rent it and then "do what you need to" with it to get the music...

Odd that they said it would be "never before heard" music from Raiders and TOD. I mean to specifically mention that aspect. Especially to say that for Raiders, I mean there isn't much more music unreleased for it. And none at all from Last Crusade? That's kind of weird. I guess I can understand why no Crystal Skull music, though. I wonder if this music will be easy to get from the game files, since the game will be released on only PS2, WII, DS, and PSP. Granted that's if there really is any unreleased content, and without any sound effects on it.

You may be right there... but what about these parts of "Earth" VS "Planet Earth". Below, compare these parts in the two films. I believe the following parts at least have been re-recorded by Fenton: When the wolf chases the caribou. The film version has a much more thrilling and exciting cue, fuller orchestra. When the little ducks jump out of the tree. Seems much more dramatic in parts near the end than I remember. Possibly when the lions start to get on the elephant, trying to take it down. Sounds more intense. When the dolphins appear and the swordfish do their chase. Again more thrilling and exciting. I noticed also there are parts they DEFINATELY rescored for the US version only (I have now seen the UK version to compare). The part where they reveal the Angel Falls waterfall is rescored to have a more ethnic sound, as is the the very end of the film (where they changed the ending a bit, not making it as dark, and showing scenes again of stuff you have... already seen) again with the same ethnic sound. They also added bits of comedic jazzy music when you see the birds do their mating dance and when the baboons are swimming around in the water. All of these bits I don't think were scored by Fenton, though. I noticed in the end credits (which also seems to have unknown music) they listed additional composers. I could be wrong about most or ALL of this (lol) but this is what I gathered.

I'm pretty sure at least for the American release of "Earth" that I just saw that the music was rerecorded by Fenton, like he did for "Blue Planet". The music sounded so much bolder and more powerful than it did on the show in it's performance, and that is not just because it was played on louder speakers, lol. I really, really hope Disney issues a CD of this version of the score. And I think you are right, Koray Savas. I did hear about the "three families" they were meant to follow, I forgot about that. And it was the polar bears, elephants, and the whales they followed, for the most part. They sidetracked a little bit on some other species but not for very long, of course.