Fantastic Beasts & other soundtracks
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Score by James Newton Howard. I believe that the music in a movie is what completes the scenes. It is the first step in seducing the audience and it is most gratifying to see how Fantastic Beasts, from the first screenplay by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, succeeds in this regard.
When one thinks of Harry Potter, the first thing that comes to mind is the music created by the great master John Williams. You hear it even before an image gets into your imagination.
Hedwig’s Theme is the most familiar piece and this is what Howard used to provide Fantastic Beasts the connection with Potter. With just those three notes on and you know you are in a thrilling fantasy adventure directed by David Yates who was one of the Potter directors.
After that little tribute though, Howard who also did the music for The Hunger Games series and Maleficent, is on his own. Williams influence notwithstanding, Howard is so full of cute, whimsical and at times weird ideas for the tunes he created as themes for the characters and the various creatures in the story. Not only that, he constantly kept in mind the period setting of the tale, which the roaring ‘20s. So you get hints of the charleston and some ragtime once in a while.
The result is a well-orchestrated, exciting score. Howard has created music that entertains, movie or no movie. But the fact that his work is in a picture like Fantastic Beasts makes it doubly enjoyable. I am sure that with the success of the movie at the box-office, a lot of moviegoers are now hearing the themes for Newt and Credence and the Obscurus and the memorable Main Theme, of course, play in their heads.
For better listening, you might want to download or stream the album now. I say it is well worth the expense. Dr. Strange Score by Michael Giacchino. I say the same thing of the music for Dr. Strange created by the multi-awarded Giacchino who previously worked on the likes of Up, Lost and Ratatouille. Like Howard, he is classically trained and works very well with the orchestra, and he has a big one of this soundtrack. He has the efficient feel in his style.
I know there are no surprises in his case but why fault a guy for staying with the requirements of the picture and giving it his best. Besides, there is so much feeling in his music whether they be the jaunty tunes as Dr. Strange undergoes his training or the incredibly moving The Hands Dealt about the loss of his hands. I say this is the best Marvel movie soundtrack ever made.
Suicide Squad:
The Album. Performed by Various Artists. If you like movie music with a knockout punch, then this is the one to listen to. The soundtrack is made up of diverse recordings by some of the most innovative, edgiest music stars ever. It is also the biggest-selling soundtrack of 2016. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival; Bohemian Rhapsody by Panic! At The Disco; Without Me by Eminem, You Don’t Own Me by Grace featuring G-Eazy; Purple Lamborghini by Skrillex & Rick Ross; Sucker For
Pain by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons with Logic, Ty Dolla $Sign & X Ambassadors; and Standing
In The Rain by Action Bronson, Mark Ronson & Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
Wow! Don’t even think of downloading this one. Get the physical CD. Suicide Squad: The Album is a real keeper. Trolls. By Various Artists. On the opposite side of Suicide Squad is Trolls with its sunshiny, happy, star-loaded soundtrack. The kiddies just adore dancing to these tunes. Lead cut is, of course, the big hit Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake. Also included are: Get Back Up Again and The Sound of Silence by Ana Hendrick; They Don’t Know by Ariana Grande; Hello by Zooey Deschanel; True Colors by Justin and Ana; What U Workin’ With? by Justin and Gwen Stefani; plus huge ensemble numbers with Justin, Ana, Gwen and others for Hair Up, Move Your Feet, I’m Coming Out, September and an all-star-cast Can’t Stop The Feeling.
And while we are on the subject of soundtracks, you might want to keep an ear out for the upcoming Disney animated feature Moana. At the helm is Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame and I am curious to know how he will fare in this Disney outing.
Miranda composed the two themes for the picture. How Far I’ll Go, sung by Auli’I Cravalho in the movie and performed by Def Jam and Alessia Cara, and which was also recorded by local young star Janella Salvador.
You’re Welcome by Dwayne Johnson as Maui and which Miranda later sings with Jordan Fisher for the end credits.