Customer Reviews

Pearl Harbor

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Pearl Harbor soundtrack as much as the movie itself, being an avid soundtrack fan, and a Hans Zimmer fan as well. I had wondered what kind of music he would compose for this fateful event; whether it would be heavy on the war and fighting aspect with lots of action cues; or more somber and sad, dealing with the tragedy and seriousness of the events; or uplifing, dealing with the triumph brought out of the tragedy. I have to say that Zimmer has come through with a powerful soundtrack, dealing with all of the above types of music, as well as the romantic aspect of the film as well.

Obviously I have not seen the movie yet, as I am writing this three days before it comes out, but I know a decent bit about the movie, and using the titles of the tracks,can kinda figure out what is going on in the movie during the cues. As I mentioned before, this score covers the full scope of the spectrum needed for fully appreciating this event, and the drama surrounding it.

The CD starts off with a Faith Hill song, which wasn't a bad song, but is also not anything special or attention grabbing. The first score track though, the second on the CD is absolutely breathtaking, and unfolds the main theme for the movie. It is a soft and slightly subdued piece of music at times, outlining the sad nature of the movie, but it is also grand and sweeping at other times, often crescendoing out of the softness into a majestic and inspiring theme. This track embodies what "Pearl Harbor" is about: triumph rising out of tragedy, and the spirit behind. It isn't specificaly patriotic in sound, but one can't help but feel proud to be an American while thinking about the images this music evokes in one's mind.

The next three tracks all feature variations on this main theme, all tweaked to signify the different events they are portraying. They are pretty as well, and continue to provide the build up to the actual bombing later. Zimmer has really returned to a style with these tracks that has not been very common in many of his soundtracks. I go all the way back to "A League of their Own" to find a similar sounding piece of music from him. He does this somber, but hopeful music well.

Track 6 is where the actual bombing takes place, and it is here that I find the only piece of music that I do not like. The track starts out with a percussion driven piece, highlighted by some ethnic flute type intrument, and almost sounds like "Gladiator" in parts. It is very different from the rest of the score, and sticks out badly. Thankfully it only lasts the first minute and a half, and then after long, drawn out crescendo on a violin, probably signifying the first bomb dropping, goes into an extremely dramatic and sad piece of music for the last seven minutes of the track. I would assume this is taking place while the attack continues, and then the aftermath of the devestaion. That is the impression given by the music at least. A female choral voice in the background also permeates this portion, adding a nice touch.

Zimmer also uses this choral singer in other portions of the soundtrack, as well as a full choral chant in track 7, which is another very dramatic and sad piece of music. This full choral piece sounds a lot like a somber funeral dirge, signifying the memorial of death. It may sound morbid, but it is powerful to listen to.

Track 8 deals with the American raid on Japan in retaliation, and is very inspiring, and brings out the main theme again, mixing it in with some fast paced action cues, for a great effect. By the end, you feel like something great was just accomplished, though it wasn't easy. This is a great track as well.

The final track is another soft peice of music, drawing both the romantic, and dramatic elements back together again, and then finishing with the main theme. It builds towards this conclusion, and finshes off nicely with a soft version of the main theme.

So in retrospect, this is an excellent accomplishment by Zimmer, and just may net him that elusive Oscar that everyone thought was his for sure last year with "Gladiator". This is a far superior score to that one, and is in fact, probably my favorite Zimmer score yet. It is a piece of beauty, and I'm more excited about seeing the movie now then ever! Buy it, and be transported back to December 7th, 1941 yourself....

I wonder what goes through the minds of the people who wrote those other reviews . .. the ones who say this is a bad soundtrack. I really don't think they even saw the movie or own the soundtrack. Well, lets put it this way. . . The first thing I did when I got out of the theater was went over to the mall and bought this soundtrack. The music from Pearl Harbor is perhaps some of the most beautiful and moving music I've ever heard. It really brings you back to a more innocent time, and makes you stop and think about how beautiful life is and how terrible tragedies such as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that take away that innocence of life are. This is beautiful music, no other way to describe it. Hans Zimmer kinda takes a different direction than he has with Gladiator and The Thin Red Line. I think thats why people gave this movie bad reviews, because they wanted to hear the same adolescent macho cut off people's heads themes that Zimmer used in Gladiator. (in fact, what moved me to love the music from Gladiator was Lise Gerald's tracks)Well, to sum it up, this is just simply a beautiful soundtrack. If you are looking for intense, pules pounding explosive music, then this is not for you, but if you just want some beautiful music to sit back and relax to and contemplate life, and if you thought that Pearl Harbor was as good as I thought it was, then buy this soundtrack.

This soundtrack has come under much criticism. Because of this I was skeptical of buying the cd, but I did anyways. This cd is beautiful! Some people believe that it is too short (about 46 minues), but I feel that it is just right; not too much, not too little. Hans Zimmer does a great job of capturing the essence of the movie. Faith Hill is not one of my favorite singers (far from it), but her song is a great song, deseving of an academy award nomination. Tracks 2 through 5 tell the story of the love triangle within the movie. Tracks 6 through 8 accompany the attack on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Finally, track 9 does a wonderful job of connecting these two elements of the film into a great conclusion. While I usually buy soundtracks to movies I want to see as soon a they come out (usually before the movie itself comes out), I would reccommend buying this cd after seeing the movie. It will give you a better sense of feel to the music.

The musical score from "Pearl Harbor" is a true work of art. You will experience a full range of emotions as you listen to the songs, for each has its own musical theme. Tracks 1-5 are obviously romantic pieces that are reminiscent of a time period before America lost her innocence. The next two tracks are rather sad in reference to the attack on Pearl Harbor, but still very relaxing. I just adore the last two tracks! They inspire me to be proud of my American citizenship and liberties! I can just see James Doolittle and his volunteers risking their lives as they try to get their planes into the air. Hans Zimmer is the most gifted of contemporary composers and he deserves an award for this soundtrack. Zimmer truly composes music from within his own heart, and those emotions flow into ours as we listen to his music. "Pearl Harbor" is defintely the best movie score I've ever heard and it enhances the dialogue and action of the movie beautifully! This is my favorite movie. It provides an opportunity for me to experience and comprehend an awful part of American history that occurred before my birth. I have seen "Pearl Harbor" five times. Buy the soundtrack!! It's a great stress-buster when you're stuck in traffic and a terrific gift for someone you love! Go see the movie if you haven't already and do not listen to the critics! This score is anything but "sappy."

I think what really sank this score is the amazingly put together trailer, which used music from Zimmer's The Thin Red Line. Everyone was expecting something on the same lines as that. But we got something better. The score was fantastic and Zimmer really knew what the film was about--Not war, battle, or action, but emotion. The movie is very emotional and even Jerry Brucheimer and Michael Bay said it was made to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on the Day of Infamy. Zimmer writes his music with this in mind. The first five tracks are pure rmance music. Then we get into the darker music when the attack happens. The only fast paced music is found in track 8. Track 9 is the best track in which we get all the themes wraped into one track that, if you know the secens that the music goes to, will bring tears to your eyes. Zimmer does it again!

The song by Faith Hill "There You'll Be" did little to move me. It just didn't seem to belong in this movie. However, the music composed by Hans Zimmer throughout the rest of the cd is among the best I've ever heard. The pieces "Tennessee" and "Brothers" compliment well the story line before the two young men go
off to war. "....And Then I Kissed Him" and "I will come back" set an authentic romantic mood.

I particularly enjoyed "Attack" that played throughout the dynamic scenes depicting the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. One can readily imagine Hirohito's pilots on their way to destroy the American naval base. The music splendidly captures the rituals and mind set of these Japanese airmen committed to the Bushido code of honor. "December 7th" hauntingly accompanies the horror and destruction of that fateful day. The singing of the choir almost brought tears to my eyes.

The final tracks "War" and "Heart of a Volunteer" remind us that our nation responded with a resounding resolve that will echo in the annals of history forevermore. Zimmer deserves an Academy Award nomination. This album easily earns a 5 star rating. However, I wish the producers had also decided to add Jon Voight's stirring rendition of President Franklin Roosevelt's speech to the country shortly after the Japanese raid. Perhaps they may do so in the future.

I like the movie though I think the soundtrack is better. It's beautiful and you should appreciate for what it is and not hate because you hate the movie. If you're a movie hater, I understand but I think the soundtrack is good music. "There You'll Be" is is great song and much better than the usual stuff of Diane Warren and I don't think Faith Hill was trying to oromote herself doing this. She did just did the best job possible. What else can I say? It's great music. It may not be the best soundtrack in the world but it is among the most beautiful.

Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay have made four films together (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon) and Pearl Harbor is their largest movie yet. In order to make a large movie, you need a large score. The score to Pearl Harbor is exactly that.

Hans Zimmer has composed one of the most beautiful love themes. I would have liked to hear Lisa Gerrard's vocals included, but there are very little solo vocal parts, and those that exist are performed by Julia Migenes. Although she isn't Lisa Gerrard, she does a very good job. Although the love theme is amazingly well done, it takes up too much of the 46 minute total running time.

Tracks 6,7 and 9 are some of the best dramatic tracks I have ever heard in my entire life. "Attack" features the Japanese Theme which is dark and percussive, but after two minutes, the music leads into the great sound of the dramatic theme.

Steve Jablonsky, one of the additional arrangers on the album, wrote this piece which is close to being the best track on the album. It starts out very explosive and full of Julia Migenes' vocals backed up by an amazing orchestra. It then leads into very subtle and emotional music. At the end of the track, there is a more subtle version of the explosiveness heard in the beginning of the track.

"December 7th" is very, VERY emotional. It begins with a large orchestral piece with a wonderful cello part performed by Martin Tillman. Then the choir begins and continues for five minutes. Very dramatic and emotional.

"War" is the only action peice on the entire soundtrack (except for the Japanese Theme) and is very patriotic and triumphant. This too was composed by Steve Jablonsky.

"Heart of a Volunteer," another Steve Jablonsky track, begins like a slower version of "December 7th" and then leads into a darker version of "Attack." It ends the way the score began in "Tennessee" (only with more dominant vocals).

"There You'll Be," performed by Faith Hill, begins the entire CD. Although, like the film, many people do not like this track. I think it fits the film and CD very well. I also think Faith Hill did a wonderful job on it.

Hans writes great music but lots of it is missing. Like what? First: All the big band music from the era - missing. The opening scene where the kids are in the barn - partially missing. The hospital physical scene - missing. The Battle of Brittain -partially missing (the only part included is where he actually crashes in track 5). The music for most of the Japanese preparation sequences - missing including the first view of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese aerial approach to the island (the scenes in the trailers with the two little boys and the baseball game and the laundry line) - missing. The attack itself - partially missing (some of it is in tracks 6 and 7). The dogfight over Pearl Harbor - missing. The raid over Japan - partially missing. Did I miss anything? I'm sure I did but I didn't miss as much as the producers of this CD. Han's music was great, but when will I get to have it on CD?

Hanz Zimmer has a gift for film scores. There is a familiar tone in all of his scores but each still manages to remain unique and beautiful. If you have seen the movie Pearl Harbor you know how the score heightens the drama and intensity of each scene. If you are a true film score fan, as I am, you relive the movie through the music.
This soundtrack is not as long and not quite as haunting as other Zimmer scores, such as The Last Samurai or Batman Begins, but it is beautiful and will not disappoint. If I had to mention a weak spot or flaw, it would be the first track, the Faith Hill song. She has a wonderful voice but the song is predictable and sounds like so many other average love ballads weighing down commercial radio today, with it's couple of versus, repetitive chorus, and swelling over done finish.
But otherwise, I would say, if you like the movie and are a film score fan you will like the Pearl Harbor soundtrack.