The Bourne Legacy [Soundtrack]

James Newton Howard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B008DCHRIA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,839 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Original soundtrack to the 2012 motion picture with music composed by James Newton Howard (The Hunger Games, Snow White And The Huntsman, I Am Legend). Also includes a new version of 'Extreme Ways' by Moby. The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films. For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathaim and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. Composer James Newton Howard follows in John Powell's footsteps, taking on the Bourne franchise for this next film chapter evolution of Ludlum's blockbuster saga.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality music. November 13, 2012

By A. O. Heberlein

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have all the other Bourne soundtrack and this one fits right in. The sound is good quality, clear, I love CDs.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bourne Legacy August 9, 2012

By C. Loescher

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

To many film score fans, trying to imagine the Bourne series without John Powell's music is akin to movie fans trying to imagine the Bourne series without Matt Damon. That may have been what writer/director Tony Gilroy had in mind all along when James Newton Howard was brought on board as the new Bourne Legacy's composer, alongside new primary character Aaron Cross, played by Jeremy Renner. Gilroy's decision to continue the series in spite of these potentially alienating changes no doubt had many a Bourne obsessive follower wondering if they were about to witness a disappointing regurgitation of prior ideas, or a rigorous reinvention of the mythology that has for so long played out at breakneck pace right in front of us. Commenting only about James Newton Howard's score for the film, I can very positively say that a reinvention, nay, a rebirth, is close at hand.

The Bourne Identity fans will instantly recognize opening tune "Legacy;" it begins with the same two-note motif that will bring to mind Jason Bourne's body floating in the water from the film series' beginning. Then, right out of the gate, "Drone" introduces electronics leading to the first of wonderfully many loud and heavy guitar-based backdrops and rhythmic percussion sequences. Almost immediately, Howard showcases his talent not only for soft empathy but his ability to sharply break from calm to calamity with seamless transition. One is also reminded early on of Howard's score for Salt, but it's easily apparent that Salt is trumped with unrepentant confidence. The third and short track "Nrag" then brings to mind The Bourne Supremacy's "Goa," drifting thoughtfully into "You Fell In Love." Seven tracks in, and "High Powered Rifle," one of many album highlights, beings with oozing synth and faint, pulsing electronic riffs, then erupts into a minor crescendo before falling away to the gentle synth sound once again yet backed by echoing guitar effects. Next comes "They're All Dead," where Howard again demonstrates his skill with a heartbreaking and ever-so-faint string foray, leading into industrial-tinged beats developing with heavy guitar riffs (actually reminding of Charlie Clouser's work on the more recent Saw scores), before the whole assembly folds on top of itself, creating an infusing balance like the aural equivalent of slipping into an effervescent warm bath.

"Manila Lab" then snaps the listener back to reality with a head-bobbing driving riff backed with highly effective orchestral flair, then accentuated with muffled guitar. With next track "Wolves / Sick Ric," faint woodwinds are presented, falling into deep, cavernous synth and strings, bringing to mind Howard's haunting work for Unbreakable with electronic pulses. A few minutes later, "Wolf Attack" prompts a smile as it recalls the best of Sean Callery's work for 24, also densely present on the tracks "Aaron Run!" and "You Belong Here." The eighteenth track, "Cognitive Degrade," cements Howard's position as one of the best modern ambient string composers in existence, before spiraling into yet another highlight, "17 Hour Head Start." Wavering ambience, which reminds one of hearing aquatic tones from behind a door being intermittently forced ajar, develops into a rolling and fast-paced percussionist's dream, interspersed with orchestral surges rivaling the best sequences from The Bourne Ultimatum. Soon later, "Simon Ross" comes in with a mysterious and dissonant reverb-drenched guitar lead that's gone as fast as it appeared, breaking into "Larx Tarmac" which captures the soul of the underrated Bourne Conspiracy video game score by Paul Oakenfold. As the end of the score approaches, Bourne Supremacy's "Moscow Wind Up" and "Bim Bam Smash" are given new life and transformed into "Magsaysay Suite," before Howard's work aptly ends on "Aftermath," a heart-wrenching and soothing tune incorporating only the slightest electronic touches as it closes on an orchestral zenith. And in typical Bourne score fashion, musical artist Moby returns for another rendition of the closing tune, "Extreme Ways (Bourne's Legacy)," in which he very effectively introduces orchestral sounds previously unheard in other iterations.

Going in to this score, I wasn't expecting or even hoping for a Powell score soundalike, and was delighted to hear Howard creating something new for such a lauded and complex musical series. After all, it is the Bourne Legacy, not Bourne Replacement, and Howard leads the listener through so many enthralling twists and turns that the lack of a central theme isn't even noticed. Howard has constructed a profound masterwork approaching absolute perfection, incorporating his classic style for emotive and heartfelt passages with a seemingly newfound inspiration of gripping action and electronic intrigue only hinted at on his work for Salt. Extremely recommended to all John Powell fans, action film score fans, and let's face it, Bourne series fans, James Newton Howard's The Bourne Legacy is to date one of his best scores and sets a new precedent for action music in the modern age. Look at what they make you give!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars James Newton Howard enters the world of Jason Bourne November 12, 2012

By Richard

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fans of this film series will instantly recognize a change in not only the star of the movie (playing a different character)... but a change in composer. John Powell, who helmed the previous Bourne scores was not involved in this installment. With that said, the producers hired the very talented James Newton Howard.

JNH as his fans call him, has been involved with the music industry for decades. In the 80's he began his work in film and television scoring. The current generation will know the name from his work on BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. He is the choice composer for director M. Night Shymalan... THE SIXTH SENSE, SIGNS and THE VILLAGE to name just a few.

Back to BOURNE LEGACY... JNH has used the John Powell blueprint for the score. The style and substance of the previous scores is here, making the music "familiar" sounding. I highly recommend the score... and offer this advice... if you are a fan of the series and it's scores... repeat listening will reveal the depth of JNH's work on this film. It really is excellent. If the LEGACY storyline continues... I do hope JNH continues with it.

It has been a great year for this veteran composer. THE HUNGER GAMES... SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMEN and BOURNE LEGACY. Fantastic stuff. JNH is scheduled to score THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE.

Enjoy.