James Newton Howard - Peter Pan [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

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Free Music Notes for Peter Pan [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Free Music Review: An enchanting music box underscore from James Newton Howard
Hit: 5 Stars

In this enchanting live action version of "Peter Pan" from director P.J. Hogan the magic spell is woven as soon as James Newton Howard's opening music box theme is heard. This is a story of fantasy and adventure, which offers rich opportunities for any composer, as John Williams proved in 1991's "Hook" with a score that was superior to the film. Howard's score is not as majestic, but it was not required to be because this telling of the tale, owing much to both Barrie's original stories and a Freudian understanding of the transformation of children into adults. Howard's forte has been in doing underscores for children's films, such as "Dinosaur" and "Atlantis," as well as on the suspense films of M. Night Shyamalan.

Here the former Elton John keyboardist's work works with not only an expanded Hollywood Studio Symphony but an adult chorus and children's choir as well and the result is music that underscores the film's action. Even at the musical high point of the film, "I Do Believe in Fairies," the music is never turned up full blast in the film. That honor is reserved for listening to this CD because the magic here is as simple as a child's dreams. From start to finish there is a sense of restraint to the music, which avoids going over the top with choral excesses (I watched "The Gallant Hours" for a prime example of that particular musical sin). If you are reminded of a John Williams score it is going to be from "Harry Potter" and not "Hook," because Howard is providing a darker edge to the music that fits the more mature depth of the story told in this film. Given that the battle between Peter and Hook ends up being even more psychological than it is physical, Howard's score is decidedly on point.

James Newton Howard has received Oscar nominations for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score for 1998's "My Best Friend's Wedding" as well as for Best Music, Original Score for 1993's "The Fugitive" and 1991's "The Prince of Tides." He has also been nominated for Best Music, Original Song for "For the First Time" from 1996's "One Fine Day" and "Look What Love Has Done" from 1994's "Junior." However, his most familiar piece of music would have to be the theme from the television series "E.R."

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