Customer Reviews

The Karate Kid (Music from the Motion Picture)

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

 

 

Now, I do understand that several reviewers have knocked this CD around simply because it doesn't have Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never," and although I was slightly disappointed at that, I'm not gonna ding this soundtrack for that--because I actually went in and downloaded the song itself. However, I also understand that there are a ton of people out there who love film scores, and I'm one of those people. I remember seeing "The Karate Kid (2010)" in the theaters, and upon hearing this score, I just about cried. People can bash remakes all they want to, but this remake's got a soul of its own thanks to Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, and this excellent score. While Bill Conti's original "Karate Kid '84" score is good in its own right, Horner's cues blow Conti right out of the water with excellent uses of Chinese and other Asian instruments. While one cue perfectly describes the feeling of leaving your hometown behind, one cue really moves you to train or to push yourself HARDER in order to succeed in fulfilling your dream.

Film scores (and movies in general) rarely make me cry, but this one did.

THE GRADE:

5/5

James Horner has delivered another great score with big orchestral sound mixed with some Chinese elements. Fans of his style will love this one too!

But why only CD-R??? :-(

Why isn't any record company going to press a CD??? :-(

When I heard that the "Karate Kid" was being remade, I was very disappointed. However, upon actually seeing it, I liked it very much- and liked the music as well. The original movie had a Soundtrack featuring songs used in the movie- but not Bill Conti's Score. I found out later that the Score is available, and for the sequels also- but it is an expensive investment.

After seeing the remake, I wanted the Score, and couldn't find it anywhere. I thought that to be strange since James Horner is one of the premier composers of film music around. He is one of my favorite composers, and has compiled an impressive body of work in the past couple decades.

When I got online, and saw that Amazon was offering it as a CD-R, I thought I was just going to get this plain disc in an envelope with the score burned on it. I balked, and continued looking online, and finally realized that if I wanted it- this was going to be the only way to get it. So I bit the bullet and took a shot. I actually ordered the DVD and the Score. When it came in the mail, I was shocked. It looks just like one you would buy at the record store. The disc in imprinted, it is in a plastic jewel case with inserts- and it is professionally done. I was very impressed- and completely satisfied with it.

As for the album itself- it's not Horner's best work, but it is still a very good Score. Even though Horner has a different style than Conti, that didn't detract from the on-screen intensity, and in fact Horner's signature sweeping orchestrations correlated nicely with the visually stunning scenes. Every Horner fan should have it, and even those who lean more toward Hans Zimmer-type Scores will also appreciate this effort.

This isn't James Horner's best work, but its a good score. Other reviewers need to look at the list of songs on the CD before buying it to know that songs such as John Mayer "say what you need to say", Lady Gaga, or Justin Bieber never say never will not be on the CD.

I love movie scores, and the fluidity and emotions from listening to this allows me to "see" the movie with the beautiful cinematography.

I am placing an order for the score while the movie plays in the other room, this music is so good. Truthfully, hadn't bought a Horner score since 2001's "Beautiful Mind." For most of the 2000's, he went through a very down, dry period for some reason, but now he's got his MOJO back!

I'll review more fully when the CD arrives.

James Horner fans will truly enjoy "The Karate Kid (2010)" score. If you haven't seen the movie yet, check it out; you'll have a greater appreciation for this music afterwards.

This sountrack is NOT the songs from the movie like you would think (no John Meyer or Justin Beber), but rather the instrumental background music that plays throughout the movie. If you're looking for instrumental music, then it's great, but do not be mistaken like I was!

I could not obtain this item in the UK. Arrived really quickly as advertised. Outstanding service.

The music is outstanding but the soundtrack was a huge disappointment nevertheless. It was all instrumental, I wanted and expected that and the songs they had in the movie. I had to buy the songs I liked from the movie separately. That was terrible. I thought the great hip hop and pop songs would be on the soundtrack, they were not. The music on the soundtrack was still superb, I will keep it, I have downloaded it, my folks liked it, but like other soundtracks, it should have had both instrumental and the great songs from the movie.

Though the instrumental music contained on this CD is wonderfully done in its own right, I was very disappointed to learn upon recieving the CD that the ending song by Justin Bieber and Jayden Smith was NOT included among the songs. I did not see the tiny print on the back of the CD case when considering my purchase that is supposed to notify the consumer of the lack of the popular song. While I have enjoyed the musical collection, this was not what I wanted when I purchased the Soundtrack. If you are looking for the ending credit song, as I was, DO NOT BUY THIS!!! If you are looking for nicely done background music then this is for you.