Customer Reviews

Blood Diamond

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

 

 

James Newton Howard wrote two of the best scores of 2006, and "Blood Diamond" may indeed be the very best score of that year. At once dramatic, romantic and poignant, with wonderful, and not overdone, African choral and instrumental motifs this is an outstanding work. As has been written before, Howard always produces at least one main theme which becomes the outstanding centerpiece of his film scores, and he does it again here whether it is with solo piano, chorus, full orchestra or with African effects he excells with his music on this recording. The theme, and its variations, and the score entire all come to a marvelous climax in the last four score cues on this soundtrack album (note "London" particularly). Beautifully produced, and nicely packaged by Varese. Sadly, this work seems to have been overlooked by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, but this has happened so many times before.

This soundtrack is absolutely amazing. James Howard does a wonderful job creating a passionate and moving soundtrack. I loved the movie, saw it in theaters twice, and the soundtrack is an absolute must have. The track Solomon Vandy is one of the best ever, the whole CD is expertly done.

I really enjoyed this movie, and just came away from it just completely moved and blown away by the soundtrack.

Once I finally got the soundtrack, and found out that the composer is James Newton Howard, I'm not surprised. He has also done outstanding work on all of M. Night Shyamalan's films, notably "Lady in the Water."

The first reviewer really hit on the essence of this soundtrack of having a moving and beautiful theme arch the entire soundtrack.

If you are a soundtrack fan, this is really one to get.

I think that the music in the film gets left behind because of so many fast action sequences. The music stands out during the calmer moments. Listening to the music alone gives me goosebumps. It's haunting and beautiful. I close my eyes and feel like I'm hiking in Africa.

When I saw the film Blood Diamond for the first time I have to say that I was very impressed with the story and above all with the compelling characters in the film. Leonardo Dicaprico's performance I think was definitely deserving of an Academy Award for his character's role. Now after listening to the soundtrack, James Newton Howard's score beautifly provides the emotion that encompasses the riveting drama and the fast paced action that occurs throughout the film. If you're familiar with his past work on film's such as, Batman Begins for example, you'll find that his approach to this film's score is unlike anything that has ever been attempted before. Although, there are some sequences in the soundtrack that are eerily remeniscent of such films like Tears of the Sun and Hotel Rwanda. In all, the melodies in this soundtrack deliver a powerful mix of both solemn and exhilirating themes that often come into play with most of the film's scenes. If you've seen this movie the soundtrack is worth looking into. I personally enjoyed the score better than most of the other live artist songs that were on the CD.

There's really nothing to say, except the music is super, super great!!!
It's music that great to do Indian dancing too, and in addition to just sitting back and enjoying the entire disk!!!!!

I collected film scores back in the 1990s when epic score after epic score was written to bolster an average film into a 'classic' status. Since James Horner's 'Titanic' in 1997, film studios have been unable to afford some of the marquee composers, and even when a familiar name is used, this dying art has been overloaded with techno music and feeble filler.

James Newton Howard has progressively become one of my favorite composers. His work has gotten stronger over the years, and it has propelled him into the top most-wanted by production studios. Previous achievements have flown under the radar as they were unfortunately attached to a failed film. His work was outstanding on Waterworld and The Postman, though both films were mocked by movie-goers and critics alike. There are others, but I want to concentrate on "Blood Diamond".

This film score is a work of art. It's rare that a full orchestra is utilized anymore, but Mr. Howard never takes the easy way out. The theme is...well...stunning, and the surrounding music is utterly enjoyable. Many composers concentrate on themes while ruining action sequences by making them brassy and obnoxious. John Williams is regarded as Hollywood's top film composer, and while he writes perhaps the most memorable themes, the filler throughout the album is hard to sit through without the movie to accompany it. Few artists have accomplished the feat of writing movie-music as well as an album. Blood Diamond succeeds on both levels.

This is a beautiful accomplishment and ranks up there with Braveheart, Legends of the Fall, Gladiator, The Insider, The Last of the Mohicans, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Medicine Man, The Crow, Crimson Tide, 1492 and a host of others.

Hat's off, Mr. James Newton Howard. Please keep the art form alive for us all to enjoy.

Not only is the movie a brilliant piece of work, but the score accompanying the images is not just essential to bringing what your seeing to life, but also provides a charge of a wide range emotions that enhance the experience. The best part about that is that you don't need to have seen the movie to be affected by the what the music is trying to convey. Howard outdid himself with the instrumentation, incorporating plenty of what you might call "Sounds of Africa" into the core of the music, the most effective of which is the soothing vocals. Of course there are the conventional stringed instruments and procession for cinematic effect, but it all adds up to a beautiful product.

If your a fan of the music from such movies as Tears Of The Sun, or The Power Of One, then you will love this CD. The best part is that there is no music missing from what you heard in the movie (as far as I can tell anyway), which many scores fall victim to. Its worth the buy, you will love it.

This is a beautiful soundtrack. I have seen the movie several times and it has become my favorite film. I am a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio who did a wonderful job in this film. I hesitated to buy the soundtrack, but I am very glad I did. When you listen to the beautiful music it takes you back to scenes in the film and some of the beautiful scenery. You can almost imagine you are in Africa hiking up the mountains in Mozambique with Leo!

James Newton Howard does a great job in capturing all the emotion in this movie with this score. I continue to be a big fan.