The Fugitive

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Its strange how some things work out but The Fugitive was nominated for best original score in the year 1993. Of course no one actually saw it winning but it was still a sign in the right direction that the board did discover James Newton Howard, something the fans took years to actually figure out. Anyway, we will say it straight and forward, The Fugitive is no Oscar contender and since I'm always discussing the wrong choices of the Oscar board, I will say it again. Only the movie makes sure if a score is nominated or not because then the music works so good in the movie, the effort on disc is somewhat forgotten. And frankly, James Newton Howard has written better scores that deserved to be nominated instead of entries like these. On the other hand, The Fugitive is in no way a bad score and speaking in terms of movie functionality, it truly did great things for the outstanding movie. Yet, drawn away from its visual brother the effort isn't that long successful anymore. It isn't bad music but its not Oscar wining music either which probably makes the disappointment in any case larger than first imagined. Frankly, I did discover the score years before and I knew the way it sounded, so I wasn't that disappointed. But still, people expecting an Oscar winning or nominated score might be and that is the wrong conclusion to start with. Howard's score is just what the movie needed and the sound is equally Howard, containing stylistic visions of Outbreak and a bit of the jazz of Intersection. The main theme is a soft and at times jazz accompanied piece which does the character of Harrison Ford (meaning Kimble) justice.

Either it is the soft version in 'It's Over' (the version I like) or the jazz accompanied version during 'The Fugitive' Theme' that can be found on the score, especially in the last almost reaching lounge standards when a piano is heard with it. But the main portion of The Fugitive was as expected action / tense / thriller / chase music and that is what you get. Outbreak at times but especially containing one action theme I adore, 'Helicopter Chase' is a great track covering the theme more than once and containing pace and tense action rhythms. It is the best track of the score and the rest doesn't come close to this short but excellent piece of music. For 40 minutes this score isn't that much. Especially if you consider its Oscar nominated music. But if you see it as the perfect sparing partner for the movie, the right moody thriller music for the genre, then The Fugitive is acceptable and at times enjoyable to listen to. Of course, it isn't a big favorite in my book and mainly people who got a kick out of the movie and initial score will really like what they will find. James Newton Howard overall showed some mighty versatility in the year '93 and The Fugitive is one of those examples to show. Because again, this score feels just right for the movie and just perfect for the genre. That they now have nominated the score is a sad thing that could take impressions and expectations to heights the score couldn't hold as the truth. It isn't a bad score nor a brilliant score, just a fit and that is all what it needed to do in the first place.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (3.52)

2. The Storm Drain (4.25)

3. Kimble Dyes His Hair (4.22)

4. Helicopter Chase (4.50) Excellent Track

5. 'The Fugitive' Theme (3.05)

6. Subway Fight (2.26)

7. Kimble Returns (3.07)

8. No Press (4.55)

9. Stairway Chase (2.32)

10. Sykes' Apt. (4.19)

11. It's Over (3.39)

Total Length: 41.41

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: James Newton Howard ===