Dark and driving, listen necessarily several times!

James Newton Howard had created the first "Hunger Games" movie atmospheric and sonically very tight score, to some great themes. But he was standing in for Danny Elfman short term, so his return in the second part of "Catching Fire" was at the beginning not so sure. But the producers apparently familiar on the musical flair of Howard (anything else would have been stupid!) And were thus very correctly.
For James Newton Howard even I have to say I hope not much, connoisseurs of the film music of today will surely bring many great works in conjunction with his name, he is one of the most flexible composers of our time, but now "Catching Fire":

Although Howard picks up issues of its predecessor, but very discreetly. So, you can hear the wonderful "Horn of Plenty" theme only once very briefly, as it is almost exclusively played even in the first half, in the film. Here I would have perhaps desired one or two variations of this great piece. In addition, the main motive of District 12 is taken up again and varied somewhat, to the love theme of Katniss and Peeta. Katniss even gets here also missed, very nice to hear in "Katniss Is Chosen" a new piece. Led by the melancholy solo part the music is very good and is not only a dramatic "forced" to the viewer or listener. What I mean by that? Well, those who know Hans Zimmer, is also likely to "Gladiator" or "Transformers - Revenge Of The Fallen" know. Great scores, but the solo voices of Lisa Gerrard and Lisbeth Scott to increase the drama in the film (in my opinion) a little too forced, here in "Catching Fire" you never have the feeling that something is artificially set on it. Like the characters in the film, also the music feels very honest and "realistic" to, you could also say, scary or dark.
Howard here has created a very dismal score, very threatening and melancholic sounds in the first half and then in the second half is very action-packed. Speaking of which, in terms of action to Howard has improved significantly, the faster pieces like "The Fog" and "Monkey Mutts" are truly driving tracks and sound even more dynamic than the predecessor. Especially the latter has a really thrilling conclusion!

At first listen, I was very disappointed from the CD! But already on the second pass I realized the power and the strength of the music. Granted, Howard invents nothing new, but when you listen to the score with attention and a good investment, then you will quickly know what I mean.
Some highlights include the small but almost mystical theme to Beetee in "Theres Always A Flaw", the beginning with "Katniss," the action items just mentioned, the gloomy "Peacekeepers" and especially "The Tour", in which the tragic music is played on Rue from Part 1.

At 75 minutes you get a lot more music than in the predecessor, nevertheless, one of course not the complete score, although I must say that up to the "Horn of Plenty" pieces, actually missing anything important. I can recommend but also still the soundtrack sampler with "Atlas" by Coldplay and "Capitol Letters" by Patti Smith, but the rest is very nice, although only Coldplay occurs in the film itself.

Conclusion: this score you have to listen several times, he really has potential, which is also used. In addition, he is a very great sequel to its predecessor (musically speaking), the film but you should know best, otherwise the music is probably not as good ...