Customer Reviews

Bicentennial Man - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I freely admit that I am an unabashed James Horner fan. I am probably one of only ten people who owns the score to "The Page Master", "The Name of The Rose" or "Thunderheart." While I do not worship at an alter to "Titanic", I firmly believe that when Mr. Horner is on his game there are few who can match him for hitting the "heart and soul" of what a movie is all about. If in doubt, please listen to "Apollo 13" or "Braveheart."

His score for "Bicentennial Man" is a wonderful sleeper. I saw the film before purchasing the score as the score was not available earlier. The piece "The Machine Age" which he uses over the opening credits is a seductive blend of rhythms that says "futuristic" without being trite or obvious. It may be the least "James Horner" piece on the CD. But it's just the first example of the subtle gems hidden in this composition.

While there are plenty of "Hornerisms" to be found in this score ( The piece "The Wedding" bears more than a passing family resemblance to "The Wedding" on the "Deep Impact" score) and one can pick out hints of "Titanic" and "Braveheart" in a few of the passages, this score is one of the most understated of Mr. Horner's compositions.

Is it a touch "soft and gooey" at the center? Yes. But so is the film for which the score was composed. And if the purpose of a film score is to enhance the message of a film and to sell that message on an emotional level, then "Bicentennial Man" is a home run.

The theme for the song "Then you look at me" (sung by Celine Dion on the soundtrack) is truly haunting. The only thing that could keep the score for "Bicentennial Man" from being nominated for an Oscar is the fact that the movie isn't doing well with the public.

Which is a shame for this is James Horner at his most evocative.

The film score to Bicentennial Man holds a host of distinguishing titles in my book. In my opinion, it is Horner's best dramatic score; it is the most unceasingly beautiful music compiled into one score; it is the most consistently entertaining score that I own. It is about as perfect a cinematic symphony as a composer can hope to accomplish. There is only one criticism that can be applied to the work--or rather to Horner himself, who epitomizes such criticisms with this score in particular. Bicentennial Man, like nearly all of his other projects HEAVILY references some of his previous--and from this vantage point--future works. Bicentennial Man is a companion to Horner's score for Deep Impact--so abundantly obvious that he uses IDENTICAL music--as well as a companion to this year's critical favorite A Beautiful Mind--again, with identical music, a note-perfect translation. But, in the case of the latter referenced score, Bicentennial Man set the standard that Horner would pull from. Bicentennial Man, if only in the first track, created a new style, a new sound, that would no doubt wow even the most modest film score fan--unfortunately, he repeated the same material in A Beautiful Mind. One fact remains abundantly apparent, however, the fact that negates any self-plagiarism he might be responsible for: Bicentennial Man is the best score of those that he referenced, without a doubt, indisputably.

A lot of critics chastised the film of Bicentennial Man for concluding in a sappy style. I won't argue with this assessment; I'll heartily agree, though I won't say how much this detracted from my viewing pleasure. It would seem to me, however, that sappy films make for enhanced scores, as is most certainly the case with this score. Everything about Bicentennial Man's music is a beautiful fairy-tale--melodramatic perhaps, but so involving that it becomes the pinnacle achievement in translating the onscreen story into the audience's heart. I love Horner's sappy score for Bicentennial Man the way I love Hanz Zimmer's eccentrically sentimental score for Pearl Harbor, and I'm not ashamed of that. And that is the score I would most closely liken Bicentennial Man to, though it admittedly surpasses Zimmer's work completely.

Thematically, one can hear whispers of previous and future Horner scores, but that is not to say that they aren't all beautiful to the ear. Yes, there's not much diversity in the way of sounds on this album, but if it is the mood you are looking for, there is no other place to go. The multiple themes all cater to the same experience, with little variation, but that is the movie nonetheless, the common denominator of Horner's symphony. You will either hear heart-wrenchingly dramatic underscore that is positively breathtaking, or you'll hear unique, new-age, playful underscore that could only have been composed by Horner. Truly, his early work on animated films benefits him now. And most interesting, one aspect that pleases me most of Horner and his attention to musical cohesion, is his synthesis of not just several themes, but also of a common concluding passage that unifies and completes the score, forming it into the symphony that I hold so dear. As far as I can tell, this device is unique to him, and it is a sheer stroke of genius when listening.

And so, in conclusion, I can't help but make the argument that though Bicentennial man may prelude and reiterate what is a standard in other Horner scores, the fact that it is the best of the lot means that it deserves your attention. Never before--from any composer, from any genre, from any film--have I heard such a unified score with such moving passages that capture the imagination and the heart along with it. Horner's score for Bicentennial Man is the definition of beauty, the personification of film composing that utilizes every available emotion that humans are capable of. This s score is one that you can always come back to, always listen to from front to back, and always enjoy for its rich themes, incessant beauty, and consistent storytelling.

This is an absolutely gorgeous score. Because of the tone of the movie, there are no dark parts. The music is at a fairly even keel with some sweeping orchestral swells. Just put it in the stereo, close your eyes and enjoy.

Listening to this CD is one of the most profoundly relaxing experiences you could ask for. The orchestration is wonderful, the melodies haunting--you can see and feel what the music is trying to convey with no effort at all. Pure enjoyment!

James Horner has made some great soundtracks in his day. Braveheart, Deep Impact, Willow, Cocoon, and Titanic are just a few. But Bicentennial Man may just be better than all of them
For me, this soundtrack carries a lot of personal emotions with me. I am a 19 year old college freshman that has just had to say goodbye to his friends. After all was said and done, and I drove off to my new life, I popped this soundtrack in, and listened to "The Gift of Mortality" and then "Then You Look at Me". By the time those songs were done, I was in tears. I don't know if there ever has been such a beautiful album ever produced, one which carries so much "human" emotion. For some reason though, many critics (including the one here on Amazon) haven't had kind words for this soundtrack, like those for the movie. I think they are all crazy! Not only should the movie have been a best picture nominee, this also belonged as a nominee for best score. If there was only one complaint I have, and it is a VERY small one, it is t hat the music is sometimes to soft. Other than that, BUY THIS SOUNDTRACK.. Perhaps you'll remember something important in your life

This time Horner has really amazed me. There are a few cues IDENTICAL to Deep Impact's, but others (such as the main titles) that are brand new and wonderful. James' use of piano is so rare and yet so incredible! With "Bicentennial Man", Horner finds himself composing some music for comedy for the first time or so, and the results are real good. The dramatic part of the score - almost the whole, actually - is great as ever. One of the things I most like about him is that he writes music for 3/4 of the movie: In a 2hrs film, John Williams would make 2hrs of music. Horner does a little less, but it's unbelievable anyway. The song is also very good, and quite appropriate are the lyrics by Will Jennings. Instead of a love song, I would've rather written down something dealing with life, death and immortality. But this one does the trick anyway. To those who find J.H. boring and repetitive, DON'T BUY THIS. To those who appreciate his way of going deeper into the same aspects of music and feelings, JUST TAKE THIS HOME IMMEDIATELY!

Upon listening to this score, one cannot mistake it for anything but a work of Horner's. The composer's trademark sounds, and tones, are all here (no celtic music though), and a couple cues that are virtual copies of other pieces of his music from other scores. A Horner fan (Or even a person who has listened to his other scores) can distinctly pick up on "Deep Impact","Braveheart", and even "An American Tail 2". Much of it is in the same tenor as "Deep Impact", so if you've heard that, you can get a general idea there. That aside though, there is also a lot of "New" music, most of it in fact, although there's still no denying that Horner is the composer, as it has his certain touch that is unmistakable.

I think one thing that is so true of Horner's music is the emotional heartstrings that it pulls as you listen to it. More so than any other composer, I think Horner captures the essence of the heart, and the feeling and emotion that goes along with it. With the exception of some of his throw-out scores (Gorky Park, Patriot Games) I have really enjoyed his workings, and feel confident buying his CD's unheard, because I like his music so much. I think that whether you are happy, sad, excited, or depressed, Horners' music will minister to your spirit, in whatever way nescessary to the occasion. It's almost like a warm assurance, a sort of security blanket.

But enough of that mushy stuff. I just wanted to really paint a picture of what I get from listening to Horner's music, and what you can expect from this CD as well. Seeing as how it's brand new, and I'm the first reviewer on here, I want to help people who might be wondering whether to get it or not as much as possible.

Let me say this. I have read a number of reviews that have knocked Horner's tendency to just copy off of himself with slight variations, and he does a lot of that again here with Bicentennial Man. But I think every composer's works tend to sound like to some extent each other (Even the great Williams, and Goldsmith). I mean, every composer has their style, and they stick with that. That's why you can have so many. Because they're all different, and offering different styles. But while being a lot like some of his other soundtracks in overall sound, there is still much variance, and individuality to this one. I definitely recomend it for any Horner fan, and even suggest that other's not familiar with him get it. I don't think you will be disapointed. Listen, and let the music move you!

I cry every time I watch this movie and listen to the soundtrack. It evokes how fragile and alone we truly are in this world. As humans we procreate to fiegn immortality, but in the end we are only mortal. This music reminds us to live in our humanity and celebrate that mortality. Experience love and loss with all that you are. If you have not, you cheat yourself out of the very thing that makes us what we are. One of my favorite movies and favorite soundtracks (scores). I only wish it included Faure's Dolly Suite (the piano duet between Andrew and Little Miss), thus the 4 and not a 5 rating. Enjoy life!

Horner did an excellent job composing for this movie. The music is very peacful and flowing, it feels like it's telling a story when you listen to it.

I'm an artist, and therefore, listening to music when I draw is very relaxing and helps me think. This is a great CD to have playing in the background while you're working. The music doesn't go really high then skips to really low, it stays pretty much at a lower, very soft, tone that won't give you a headache. What's truley amazing about this CD is that you can listen to it over and over, yet never tire of it. Every time you pop it in there always seems to be something you never heard in it before.

I would recomend this CD to anyone who is looking for music that will touch their soul.

Another excellent score made by James Horner. He makes you feel the music like no other composer. The movie would not have been as good without the music.