Waterworld

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Waterworld was the entry of James Newton Howard into the Hollywood A-list of composers. At least that's what I thought of it. People all accepted it but didn't give Howard much praise for it. It did take nearly 5 years for fans to finally adore the man, when his entries of The Sixth Sense and Snow Falling on Cedars were just delivered and fans heard the wonder of Dinosaur and Vertical Limit. Sadly five years is too much and Howard had to wait for that recognition too long. David Arnold was catapulted into fame with Independence Day and he had the luck that he scored some big movies before and after it. Howard maintained on good movies but nothing of the scope of sound like before. And believe you me, Waterworld packs a sheer massive tone from begin to end. Even with the occasional percussion tones, ethnic whistles or chiming bells, there is always an example of short power waiting around the corner. 'Main Titles' is one example where the choir suddenly explodes without ever stating the main theme and 'Half an Hour' is another one where the last minute is full choral majesty. Waterworld might not be as celebrated or accepted as Dinosaur is today but I think it is one of the best action scores out there. And action is not exactly the word I would use, its more a fantasy tale that kicks butt when the action explodes on screen.

So we have already started to praise this score from the onset but there is so much that hasn't been said, until now. First of all, the love I immediately felt for Howard's music was clearly the mix of two things, his own style and the choral power he created it with. This score is loaded with choral back up and The LA Master Chorale is one of the best groups of the world, meaning it is massive in every way and spices up the already bombastic score of Howard with more then an inch. The main theme is entirely jumpy, fast and heroic, so it fits the movie really well and opens after 5 minutes the soundtrack with one of the best and most energetic tracks 'Escaping the Smokers'. This is fantastic stuff and it just keeps going on after that. 'Prodigal Child' by then states the other theme of the score, Enola's theme, a soft and beautiful hummable piece for flutes. But it are the massive action and completely thematic tracks (apart from the dissonant walls of the orchestra at times) that give this score its mighty wings. 'Smokers Sighted' with its more angry villain marches, 'The Skyboat' with its choral fanfares of amazement, the heroic attitude and return of the main theme in 'Helen Frees the Mariner' and the once more excellent use of choir and orchestra in typical rousing form in 'Slide for Live'. But there is so much more, the choir is also used to deliver a more wondrous air around things, like in 'The Atoll' or most impressively in 'The Bubble'. You've guessed it, practically every track carries a unique touch with them.

But again, I've haven't said everything because one of the most enchanting pieces comes on the air in the sixth track, 'Swimming' when flutes, bells and Marisa Chandler's solo vocal accompanies the piece with great charm. At the end you receive even the conclusive Enola theme's performance with a set of relieve and beauty (and mostly power), like in 'Dry Land' or the main theme in 'Main Credits'. All is practically said but simply to quote that the rest of the unmentioned tracks equally carry something interesting, whether it is a choral moment, action track or ethnic soft touch. So Waterworld is just like Dinosaur a score that knocked me off my feet, but the sad thing is perhaps too little for other people too. It is a dynamite score with everything a music fan would wish, so it makes the disappointment only a bit harder. Nonetheless, at this point I don't care anymore because I'm enjoying the score with all of my heart these days and that is only my concern. Anyone still anxious in finding out what I mean when you read this (in basic terms you haven't heard it) should do so now, Waterworld is just like Stargate, Independence Day and First Knight one of those knock-out soundtracks that comes around too slim these days.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (4.43)

2. Escaping The Smokers (3.49) Excellent Track

3. The Atoll (1.42)

4. Prodigal Child (1.54)

5. Smokers Sighted (2.10) Excellent Track

6. Swimming (4.15)

7. The Skyboat (3.54) Excellent Track

8. National Geographics (1.46)

9. Speargun (1.44)

10. The Bubble (3.22) Excellent Track

11. Helen Frees The Mariner (3.27) Excellent Track

12. Helen Sews (0.50)

13. Slide For Live (4.51) Excellent Track

14. Half An Hour (4.36)

15. We're Gonna Die (2.02)

16. Arriving At The Deez (4.27)

17. Deacon's Speech (3.52) Excellent Track

18. Haircuts (1.32)

19. Gills (1.59)

20. Why Aren't You Rowing? (2.38)

21. Balloon Flight (0.48)

22. Dry Land (1.48) Excellent Track

23. Mariner's Goodbye (3.15)

24. Main Credits (2.20)

Total Length: 68.41

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