Customer Reviews

Jurassic Park III: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A while back on a website, there was a special feature where Don Davis was answering questions about the score and his involvement in it. I e-mailed him and he graciously responded. I asked him what his theme was in relation to Williams' theme and if the score was as big and bold as his scores for the first two. He responded by saying that he wrote a theme for the family in the film and he had some thematic material for the Spinosaurus, although this theme is derived from the Jurassic Park theme. It was his objective to match Williams' style in terms of boldness. He wrote the score Williams would have, but Davis' own musical signature was also present throughout. The music sounds very large and powerful and Williams' themes are present in several cues throughout. The music is very challenging for the musicians with fierce string writing and brass lines. Williams' tended to use the timpani for his scores, but Davis uses the snare drum for this one. Williams' themes occur most notably in "The Dinosaur Fly-By", "Brachiosaurus on the Bank", and "The Hat Returns/End Credits". Davis' themes occur throughout in several of the tracks, most notably in the "End Credits". I think Don Davis did a great job in taking over the job of a legendary film composer. It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of someone like that, but Davis did it with no trouble.

I was very worried when getting this CD that it wouldn't in any way come close to the amazing music John Williams did for the first two. Boy, was I wrong. This CD sounds great! I really like the action music on this, and also Don Davis's ability to pull the rug out from under you while listening (example: the end of "Nash Calling," which is a really nice piece). Yeah, the original themes are probably used a little too much, but that's ok, as they sound really good. A good example of how well Davis can handle different moods is track 12, "Bone Man Ben," which switches from tension to horror to happiness and hope all in 6 minutes! If you're a music fan, or if you like JP music, this CD's for you!!! P.S. Track 14, "Clash of Extinction," was made for the movie but was cut at the dubbing stage, so you won't hear it there. And those who question the logic behind closing the CD with a Randy Newman song ("Big Hat, No Cattle") should know that the song is used in the movie as a reference to the deception of two characters and their motives for getting another character to go to Isla Sorna.

For the last two films, John Williams has been the composer of the Jurassic park series, and I must admit that I was disappointed with the film. But to say the same for the soundtrack would be understating it. I like where the music is going, but I will state the pros and cons of this soundtrack...

Pros- The soundtrack is a bit bombastic, which is something that Williams never feared and you can tell music hasn't been toned down causing a disrupt in the films mood. The soundtrack also carries very well, and for anyone who likes a loud brass section, this is your soundtrack.

Cons- the score has way too much drum in it, causing it to have a much less magical feel then the first two tracks. It's hard to explain, but the drums seem to disrupt the music. And the strings section is almost completely cut out. One of the main themes of the first two scores were to create an animal like feel with the music, and that was barely existent in this film. Plus it sounds like someone trying to copy John Williams, when it should have sounded original while still keeping the same soft and sympathetic feel to the music.

The music of Jurassic park is about the horror, and softness of things, and how when something looks beautiful, it doesn't mean it's not dangerous. Williams did a wonderful job at portraying this in the first two scores, but this one lacked that feel. It just try's too hard. I recommend it though, because it is still a wonderful piece of music that you will most likely enjoy.

One would think that it would be hard, if not impossible not to compose a decent score when one has two sources of John Williams to use and get inspiration from. Don Davis, who I was only familiar through The Matrix, has composed an uneven and disppointing third installment. While I enjoyed some of his action cues and his orchestratioins of the two main JP themes, for the most his original music is uninspiring. You get some indications while listening that Davis composed a moving, sweeping theme of his own,i.e.Track 11. The string theme is good, but as it turns out very underdevloped compared with Williams' two orginial themes. And what about Track 15. Are the End Credits only two minutes long. What we should have been treated to is a fully developed theme of Davis' own. And he should have composed that becuase the best parts of this CD are when he borrows from Williams. I guess Davis should be credited for trying, but that is about it!

Being the first series entry not directed by Steven Spielberg, it should come as no big surprise that Jurassic Park III is also the first series entry not to be scored by John Williams. Not that you could tell all that much, composer Don Davis worked very hard to make his score sound as if Williams himself had done the honors, striving to keep the score sounding as similar to the previous entries as possible. The result is a score that at first appears a seamless continuation of Williams work, but then Davis's new themes and touches bleed through. This score is no boring retread. Recommended.

I like Don Davis, and when I saw he was scoring JP III, I wasn't worried. WOW WHAT AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The music on this album is wonderful. Davis has taken Williams' music and arranged it in a fresh way. I can not say enough good things about this score, it's fantastic! If u were worried about the absence of WIlliams, fear not, because it is almost as if WIlliams and Davis worked together! Davis's new theme is wonderful as well, he truely has a great understanding of symphonic film music! BRAVO!!

Don Davis' sparkling effort has received more than its fair share of slating over the months; it's not surprising that most of the abuse comes from those who believe John Williams is unsurpassable. I am not the only person to believe Williams' music has stagnated somewhat over the past decade - a change was definitely in order.

Davis brings fresh innovation. A new voice, and a fantastic, classically trained ear combine to produce a stunning new score. Davis' orchestration is likewise colourful and imaginative.

Personally I had questioned Davis' involvement in the project - I would have selected David Arnold. However, I am more than willing to say that Davis was the right choice.

An exceptional contribution to 21st Century orchestral music.

In many ways accepting the assignment of scoring a second sequel to "Jurassic Park," especially when you are expected to follow in the tradition of John Williams and integrate his main themes from the original, would seem to be a thankless task. The good new is that the adaptation and original score by Don Davis is one of the pleasant surprises of "Jurassic Park III." Davis proved adept at mixing in the necessary Williams' musical trademarks, and much more importantly made his own musical interpretation of the new events on Isla Sorna, and overall they work quite well in the film and on the soundtrack album. On the soundtrack these new interpretations begin to unfold in track three and his themes and motifs are impressive. Perhaps the best evidence of Davis' work here is heard in track 12, "Bone Man Ben," which is almost lost in one of the film's lesser early scenes, but on the soundtrack this is an outstanding cut. Throughout, Davis is able to score original music that is adventurous, mysterious, tense, intense, and sentimental. This is not simply a John Williams "retread," there is much to be admired and enjoyed in this work, and much of that is original. The soundtrack is nicely packaged with interesting "Enhanced CD" features. Again, there is an obligatory pop addition, a vocal by Randy Newman. But listen to the lyrics very carefully; it is a fun and somewhat meaningful addition. "Jurassic Park III" ends with a flight of Pteranodons into the clouds promising yet another sequel. Should Davis be asked to handle the musical chores, the franchise will be in good hands.

I resently picked up a copy of the Jurassic Park 3 soundtrack, and was very impressed. As a fan of this movie series I know that a crucial part to them is the wonderful music. John Williams did an excellent job on the first two soundtracks, and when I heard that he was not returning to do the third installment and handed the reins to Don Davis I was kind of afraid. Don Davis has done a wonderful job of bringing the classic theme of Jurassic Park back to life. He has added a new touch to the orginal themes. Also adding some of his own original music you can feel that the third movie seems to be darker and more action packed.

If you are a fan of the Jurassic Park series and like good movie music I encourage you to order or buy this soundtrack it's well worth it.

It is very difficult (If not impossible) to write a review of a soundtrack to a movie. I spent over a week hunting through every store in my city that might have this cd. I saved up 19.95 and finally at long last found a copy of it in a music and movie store and managed to buy the last copy. I marched out very excited and relieved that I had finally found it. That night i turned on my cd player and started to hear the music. I thought I would be treated to exciting origianal music.

I was wrong, and very dissapointed.

The jurrasic Park III soundtrack is astonishingly uninteresting. nothing really catches your attention or holds it. Don davis could have been origianal and made a compleatly different soundtrack but he didint. He uses John Wiliams classic theme over and over and over and over and over and over. While there are a few interesting tracks nothing really held my attention long. Its really a shame. And to add insult to injury at the very end of the CD you are treated to one last, very bad insult. You listin to a country(!?) song called "Big hat, No Cattle" which is about a guy telling you how he has been lying all his life. Now I dont know but dosent that seem really...Okay MAJORly out of place and has NOTHING do do with a dinosaur movie. A country song on a Jurrasic Park CD?!?! what the heck is up with that?! was Don Davis trying to promote a song by a friend or something? Or did he just run out of ideas for tracks? On the bright side the little booklit in the CD case is interesting to look at, with pretty pictures from the movie. For those of you who have a computer, you can pop in the CD and see the previews, a movie of the upcoming game and not much else.(Try clicking on the raptor eye in the main menu!) My advice is this. I STRONGLY recommend seeing the movie first and then decide wether or not to get this. When you finally finish listining you dont feel mad or angry, just empty. Its a shame.

The Good: some interesting tracks, nice Computer bounuses, pretty phamplet. Some funny track names (The hat returns)

The bad: Not really origianal, just dosent keep your attention.

The Ugly: WHY IN HEAVENS NAME IS A COUNTRY SONG ON A JP3 TRACK?!?!?!?