Customer Reviews

Beyond Borders [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are looking for something of a departure for James Horner and his usual sappy string themes, then Beyond Borders is for you. While this score does have a georgeous main theme, it is not overscored, but instead uses light strings with a heavenly children's choir. the use of synths will either make or break this score for you, with some synths appropriately placed to set the mood for the location, and others just put to provide cheap score, which gets rather annoying at times. but when horner utilizes the use of orchestra along with synths, it sounds surprisingly good, but it is rare. overall this is a horner score not to be missed, because it is a departure from normal Horner style, and horner comes up with some new ideas that sound rather good. I give this album 4 out of 5 stars.

The first track takes my breath away ("Ethiopia, 'i'" section - opening scene when she (Angelina Jolie's character) first goes to Africa).

The CD Booklet - contains black and white images from the film mostly of actors, Jolie and (Clive) Owen, the last page has a full credit list of the Hollywood Studio Symphony. There are no comments or notes from James Horner.

The CD is divided into three sections (with 12 tracks) - Ethiopia, Cambodia and Chechnya (4 tracks in each section).

Aside from the lovely orchestra sounds there were some very synthesized sounds (which I, personally, did not care too much for).

There are two tracks on the CD that are not Horners work - "Tirut Tebatin Lig" (track 2) and Schuman's "Traumerai" (track 11), but these tracks fit perfectly with the film score.

Very poetic, moving, and surprisingly distinct score from Mr. James Horner, one of the most emotionally-captivating film composers of the past few decades, as well as the most leeched for his unoriginality and plagiarism. The reviews of the film were hysterically bad -- I never saw it -- and that, I believe, caused this score to come and go (even within the film music community) with the wind... It's a shame, because this is a worthy score that should be heard by Horner nay-sayers.

The score isn't structurally as engaging as it is on a purely thematic level. There's a boatload of themes, many of the utmost quality, performed by strings, piano, and choir. Very good stuff. Likewise, there's also some very interesting, and different, synthesizer work from Horner ("Cambodia II") that is a nice change of pace.

I guess ultimately, however, the reason I find this score less than, oh, "excellent" is because it doesn't seem to function as much as one score, with one narrative, as it does a compilation of sorts. That makes sense, too, after looking at the track titles. There's not a whole lot of coherence, in my opinion, and despite containing some gorgeous melodies, it's in fact not a very memorable score.

Still, oh-so-pleasant on the ears...

This soundtrack is a very moving, blood curdling thing to steep yourself in. It brings to life the drama, aching sadness, anger, and deep love that are all present in the film.

I HIGHLY recommend the film.
The love story is a love story.
The REAL story is the one of the people of Africa, Cambodia, and all the other third worlds. They are the ones we should really be watching the movie for.

This along with the Missing was Horners best from 2003.
The synths although dated worked really well in establishing the otherworldly feeling and atmosphere. The film of course while having the best intentions just didn't click for me. I certainly didn't feel that the films foreign footage was exploitative, no it gave us a good look at the suffering of those worldwide from famine and war. The best music that James has written has been for films by Martin Campbell, Edward Zwick, and Ron Howard. These are the type of events we should look more forward to. But alas James won't be scoring Cinderella Man, a Ron Howard film, which composer Thomas Newman is attached to. But that probably won't be a bad thing since Thomas Newman is great too.

Beauty is the 1st word that comes to mind! I don't know how JAmes Horner does it - but he has produced a score that reaches out and grabs your heart!
In the same way Glory, Titanic, or Legends of the Fall did!
I love it - a perfect companion to the Missing, Radio and House of Sand and Fog!

What I disapprove most about James Horner is that he borrows from the works of others or reuses his previous scores (Titanic and Deep Impact, anyone?) for inspiration for his newest scores. As for this soundtrack, James Horner completely ripped the title score "Ethiopia, Pt.1" from The Prayer Cycle's "Movement 6: Innocence" which featured the vocals of Salif Keita and Alanis Morissette and was showcased during the opening credits of "The Affair of the Necklace". If you listen to the two, there's almost not a single bit of difference - except that the latter is far better.

As for the soundtrack, its good - I just disapprove of the uncanny resemblance of this piece of work with already previously released works from other artist's.

...not only is the movie very specil but the soundtrack by James Horner is amazingly beautiful and moving! the title-melody is short but 'pregnant' with emotion!

a tremendously inspiring and great movie with a very fitting and beautiful score!

It wasen't as well as other James Horner's works but totally was good

The soundtrack has no emotional score at all, not so good for a love movie. Like the film, the music lost its place in taking the listener heart with low notes and un-effectiveness turn with the music.