Customer Reviews

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Newton Howard's work on Dinosaur resulted in a terrific score that blended tribal sounds with a symphony orchestra. Atlantis has a similar feeling, but overall seems more quiet and mysterious. Some people may not enjoy this approach, but I feel where this soundtrack really shines is in the more subtle tracks. To heighten the feeling of not only being underwater, but the awe of Atlantis as well, Howard uses chimes, flutes and a chorus on my favorite tracks, "Milo meets Kida", "The Secret Swim", "The Crystal Chamber", and "The City of Atlantis". The bombast and horns are used in the action sequences like "The Leviathan" to tremendous efect.

The one real flaw is the completely banal "Where the Drem Takes You" as sung by Mya. It's a bit of a change for Disney as it doesn't sound tailormade for a film and just like any song on the radio from the next hot thing. Which could've been good, but the song is just too syurpy and anxious to please everyone. At least it's easy to skip over.

This soundtrack also has a fun CD-ROM element to it. Just pop it into your computer to continue your aural adventure of Atlantis. Also there is a limited edition (20,000) of the soundtrack available at Disney Stores only. It doesn't feature any bonus tracks, but sports a remarkable 3D cover.

James Newton Howard has again composed a fine and interesting score that is a wonderful match to the Disney animated film, Atlantis the Lost Empire" and one that works well as a soundtrack recording. His motifs and themes for Atlantis and its inhabitants are among his more notable works. It is a score that is heroic, mysterious and triumphant. The soundtrack recording leaves something to be desired, however. On the plus side the tracks are in proper order, with one exception and therein is the problem here. The glaring weakness of this recording and the film is something that is usually the main feature of a Disney film...the vocal theme song. Not only is "Where the Dream Takes You" a weak tune; it seems to have little to do with the film or the score. Moreover, the song is presented over the credits in the film, which is alright, but on the soundtrack it is track #1 (the soundtrack for "Pearl Harbor" pulled the same stunt), why? To compound this situation, the soundtrack is missing Howard's music that opens the film with the destruction of "Atlantis." My first impression was that this track was included but out of order...I don't think so. The film's opening is powerful, as is the music, but the soundtrack misses this drama by opening with the wrong music...too bad. One is tempted to say that the soundtrck for "Atlantis the Lost Empire" should be subtitled "The Lost Music," but that would cast a negative cloud over an otherwise solid piece.

Those of you who have heard early 90's Disney tracks such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", and "Toy Story", do be thrilled to find that "Atlantis" has almost the same concept as it. "The Submarine" starts off without a bang, but rather something like "West Wing" in "Beauty and the Beast". It has been quite a well before I heard something this uncommercial. James Newton Howard is at its best by creating cuteness and humour ("The Submarine", "Milo's Turned Down", "Milo Meets Kida"), excitement and tension ("The Submarine" again, "The Leviathan", "The King Dies/Going After Rourke", etc.) and at the same time working on the same 3 themes: the submarine theme; the love theme (used in Mya's song); the crystal theme. Never mind those reviews saying that the soundtrack does not have any themes; never mind the first pop track that seems out of place; never mind the lousy design of the insides. But do feel the grandeur of "The Submarine" as you recall the submarine sinking deep down into the ocean; feel the mystic of "The Crystal Chamber" as you recall the rising of Kida into the crystal and the blue rays shooting out. Do love the music. I must say I love this soundtrack as much as I love Mr Howard's previous work "Dinosaur". Having combining the native music and orchestra, Mr Howard is able to bring the audience watching "Atlantis" deep down under the ocean and feel the mystic and eerieness of "Atlantis".

James Newton Howard wrote a very good score for ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE. Howard brings this change of pace movie from Disney to life. I liked this movie very much. It's not real flashy or in your face, a trend that started in animated films ever since ALADDIN. We actually get a straightforward adventure film with no musical numbers (only a very weak Track 1: `Where the Dream Takes You' by Mya is tacked on to the end credits) and in place of the prerequisite animal friends are some really quirky characters. It is an interesting and enjoyable movie filmed at a deliberate pace. The score has musical influences from Herrmann's JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (Track 13: `The Secret Swim') and William's Indiana Jones (Track 2: `The Submarine'). What I really liked best was the way the film started out. The introductory scenes of Milo Thatch in the museum seemed very reminiscent of the animation and pace of the films that Walt Disney personally produced (Track 3: Milo's Turned Down'). I thought that was a nice touch. In fact most of the animation in this film looked like it was actually hand-drawn for a change. Even though there are many modern influences in technique and dialogue, overall it has good old-fashioned look to it. James Newton Howard's score really combined the old-fashioned adventure and mystery elements beautifully (Track10: `The City of Atlantis' and Track15: `The King Dies/Going After Rourke'). It's the kind of entertainment you thought they never make anymore. Track18: `Atlantis' sums it all up beautifully.

James Newton Howard. You may remember his score as you watch the opening credits of E.R., or watching Tommy Lee Jones chase Harrison Ford in "The Fugitive," but here, Howard has produced a wonderful full action film score. Containing 18 tracks, the film's music is captured everywhere, from the adventurous and uplifting track 2 (The Submarine), all the way to Track 14 (The Crystal Chamber). The music when we encounter the Atlanteans changes to tribal sounds, but sets us apart a slight bit and helps us know where we are. If you've seen several of the movie trailers (notably on Remember the Titans or The Emperor's New Groove), you've already heard parts of tracks 2 and 14. The only major disappointment comes in the end theme ballad, "Where the Dream Takes You," performed by Mya. The song doesn't do really much but act as a hopeful insight to a "Best Song" Oscar Nomination. Other than Mya's track, the entire soundtrack works wonderfully.

It is always nice when you discover a new composer that does one of the most amazing film scores you`ve ever heard,as Howard with the last year`s dramatic score for Dinosaur - it seems like he did all he could to create a good soundtrack. And it is also nice when the same composer returns the next year,with a score as fantastic as the previous,as the case with Howard now.
James Newton Howard has now signed up to score the more robust and matured animated features for Disney,beginning with Dinosaur and now this one. As this is a completley different film (a sci-fi/adventure/action film),this is also a quite different score. It is more calm and artistic than the previous one,and while Dinosaur only included two real themes,I have been able to make out five or six different themes of this so far,and even more motifs. The first three tracks of the score are the least interesting for me. "The Submarine",which actually should be the third track,introduces the main theme. It is a rather heroic and majestic orchestral theme,although not fully as matured or unique for Disney as Dinosaur. The next two tracks goes back to the jerky comedy cues of Alan Menken`s scores at the early 90`s,and that is a little bit disappointing as the maturedness was an important new feature with James Newton Howard. But they are still not intolerable,so if you don`t like them,just skip them - you`re only missing 5 mins. of the score then. "The Leviathan" is one of the few,but fantastic action cues. It features a huge horn and brass section,and sounds both loud and heroic,like Dinosaur`s "The Carnotaur Attack" . This is some really menacing music,as the giant scorpion appears and crushes the submarine.
The following two tracks are not either very spectacular,and features some guitar strings,as well as flute and horns in "Journey",which is the first track that previews what is going to appear the latter half of the score. "Fireflies" is also a good action track,though not as dramatic as "The Leviathan". In the 9th - 18th tracks,the really good part of the score is hidden - 25 minutes of superb fantasy music. "Milo Meets Kida" is a rather mysterious track with light chorus,when Milo meets the atlanteans for the first time. It is quite exotic and inspiring. Here,the second main theme is introduced too - it is much more mysterious than the first one and more matured.
"The City of Atlantis" and "City Tour" are two little more playfull,but also mysterious and beautifull choral tracks when Kida shows Milo the lost city and it`s inhabitants. They are both sounding exotical and full of fantasy.
Milo & Kida`s Questions is not as interesting or beautifull as them,as it is a more ethnic moment. These are all sounding very aquatic,and similar to Waterworld,and why is not hard to understand. "The Secret Swim" could also be classified in this group,although the fantasy expands even more there,and the choral beauty becomes more powerfull. There is a wonderfull choral outburst of the second main theme here. And then,there is a one-of a kind track named "The Crystal Chamber",which might be the absolute highlight of the score. Track 9-13 was very good,but this is just amazing. It is sounding both aquatic and sometimes childish,and not least,very overblown. But still,it is terrific in choral beauty,especially as a new motif is introduced here,that only appears three times in the entire score,first time here. It is sounding both beautifull and sad,as well as majestic and with full chorus and exotic instruments. It fits well into this film,but I think that this is a track suitable for Jurassic Park as well,as it is sounding artistic and full of greatness - like the dinosaurs. Well,after four minutes it ends and another highlight is also coming. In track 15,the choral theme,which I believe is the crystal motif,is coming back and sounds even more sad,as the atlantis king dies because of Rourke and Milo tries desperatley to save him. Then,it becomes more calm - a minute of silence,almost like The Thin Red Line,as Milo is taking a decision. But the track`s not over yet - now,it begins to have some rousing strings and horns,that I really love - reminding me of Jurassic Park. This music is sounding both heroic and triumphant,as they go looking for Rourke. The track that should follow this is actually missing from the soundtrack - an approximate 7 minute cue when Milo fights Rourke. It was great,but a complete score promo would be unnecessary as that is ONLY great music not included on the CD. "Just Do It" is one of the very best action tracks,as it is heard the final disaster battle with the volcano,and it has very large chorus and orchestra,in the last confrontation with a danger. "Atlantis" marks the two-minute finale of this score,beginning slowly,but then the second main theme is heard in full presentation with choir,marking the end of yet a great adventure.
Over all,this is one of the definitive highlights of this year,and I hope (but it probably won`t)gets an Academy Award. With all of it`s choral beauty,it rivalizes the very best of John Williams scores. It is a generous offer by Disney to offer 50 minutes of original score,and no songs (except for Mya`s pretty bad pop song,but just skip it and go to track two,where the real score begins).
This is a score that is needed for the new Disney films,but it is worth to know that there is really a whole lot of overblown fantasy in this score,making sound just too grand and heroic for some listeners,but it is definitley worth hearing.
Now,the choic is up to you. If you liked Dinosaur,you`ll love this one too!

I saw the movie Atlantis on the 15th and right away i wanted to see it again and i got VERY interested in Atlantis .I got my chance when i went to see it with my friend.I loved the movie so much that i decided to buy the soundtrack since the music brought the best of my imagination out in the movie as did the movie itself give me inspiration to draw.When i listen to the music i can imagine myself actually being a person in Atlantis and using the crystal like Kida(like me being the Atlantian princess;]).All the songs on this cd are just great ,but in my opinion tracks 9-18 are the best ones on there because they give me the Atlantian feeling i want.If you like anything at all about Atlantis i suggest you buy this Cd because its just awsome.

After his tremendous success with Dinosaur, James Newton Howard returns scoring another animated film, and this one is a knockout. The soundtrack opens with "Where the Dream Takes You", a pop song written by James Newton Howard and Diane Warren and performed by Mya. Although the song is not bad, I usually skip it and head straight for the score. 2 main themes are found here. The first is a solid fanfare that opens in "The Submarine" with lots of brasses and percussion. This theme returns in small parts in various sections of the score, most notably in "Going After Rourke". The other theme is a primarily choral theme found in "The Crystal Chamber" and the later tracks, primarily "Atlantis". A secondary theme is found in "Milo's Turned Down" and "Milo Meets Kida", which is the melody for the song "Where the Dream Takes You". The first half of the score is full of militaristic, march-style music with plenty of strings, brass, and percussion. The second half of the score is mainly exotic in nature and here is where the chorus really kicks into high gear. The action music is incredible, especially in "The Leviathan" that takes you on an adventurous ride. Another slam bang adventurous score from Howard, who keeps impressing me more and more.

This soundtrack is really breathtaking. Listen to it with your eyes closed and dream away on the magical sounds of the ocean.

Yes, after reading that title, some of you may think I'm a little loopy. But honestly, "The Lion King" was second to none in disney movie and in soundtrack for me until this gem of a flick came along with a simply astounding score. I liked what James Newton Howard had done with "Dinosaur" before, but now I believe he has raised the bar with "Atlantis". The score is chalk full of emotion, intensity, mystique, and an overall feel for really being in an antiquated atmosphere. The most stirring tracks have to be "The Submarine", "Milo Meets Kida", and "The Crystal Chamber". Another beautiful song is "The Secret Swim", whose chimes and vocals give a haunting melody, then as the intensity picks up as you feel the raw power of the atlantean theme. Overall, this soundtrack (and movie for that matter) rank high up among my favorites of all time. Take the time to listen to this score...it is simply a wonderful piece of artwork.