Howard is back in his element!

After a somewhat disappointing score for The Bourne Legacy, I began already to fear for James Newton Howard. But like many positive reviews on this soundtrack, so I am also very surprised and pleased that the good James can still! Finally, he again wrote a score for a Disney movie, which certainly should please many fans anyway. Even better, I find it but that he finally was allowed to add sound to a fantasy film, because in the genre he has been properly delivered stunning works (only the scores to Shayamalan movies!).
But now to Maleficent: The movie I have not seen, honestly I am not particularly hot on it, even if the music very tempted, I must say. But it's also nice to be able to enjoy once again a score without having prefabricated images in my head. In my opinion, the music unfolds then often very different and so it happens here as well, so right away: You do not need to see the movie to enjoy the music can!

Howard's first feat: He relies again on the strength of musical themes. Thank you, I say as only because in a time when the music themes are in soundtracks on the way out, it is a pleasure again thematic film music heard. There is the heroic main theme that stands just in the noisy moments. But also very graceful and threatening at the same time is the mystical motif that is likely to pose Maleficent. Especially the ghostly voices make the piece again for gooseflesh moment. In the Action moments then heard another motif that sounds more like a piece of the evil.

But even if we recognize the issues immediately, the Hörfluss is just great and the instrumentation a treat. Howard returned to his former elements, focuses on large strings some targeted piano passages, but all agree and develop a fantastic atmosphere. Even the action moments (Battle Of The Moors) sound fresh and powerful, even if Howard course not reinventing the wheel. Still, it's nice to hear a full orchestra, instead of pure electronics, as in his Bourne score.

Highlights There are many who Maleficent suite is especially nice to hear because it combines almost all the elements of the scores and Maleficent Flies has a rousing finale, equally convinced even the melancholic, quiet closing song by Lana Del Ray (Once Upon A Dream). The best acts the music but I think if you enjoy in one piece and is easy to kidnap. And 72 minutes you also get offered a lot of music!

Conclusion: Refreshing and beautiful at the same time sounds this soundtrack! A few times the music has me even moved almost to tears and that's always a good sign when music (also without pictures) creates emotions. Howard is an incredibly talented composer and here you can see him in his element. Film music lovers should strike, above all fans of Howard. One of the best scores of the year, I think!