Peter Pan [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Soundtrack]

James Newton Howard (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: James Newton Howard
• Audio CD (December 16, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00011D190
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,248 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The producers were wise in their choosing of James Newton Howard to compose the score for P.J. Hogan's big screen rendering of J.M. Barrie's famous children's book Peter Pan. The former Elton John keyboardist's work on M. Night Shyamalan's Sixth Sense and Signs showcased his ability to blend suspense and whimsy and skillfully paint a scene from a child actor's point of view. For Peter Pan Howard builds the dreamy world of 'Neverland' with harps choirs and the occasional keyboard flourish fleshing out the characters with fairy tale precision and creating a believable realm in the same fashion that John Williams handled the magical world of Harry Potter. The string motifs he chooses for Wendy and Peter are steeped in the bittersweet confusion of sexual awakening and the eternally youthful Lost Boys are treated with a light hand hinting at their enviable immortality. 'Howard' goes to great lengths to capture the myth of Peter Pan never dumbing it down. His is a darker take on a

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it not sweet? April 5, 2004

By CodeMaster Talon

Format:Audio CD

I was recently trying to convince a friend of mine to see the new "Peter Pan". He was having none of it ("look's stupid" were his exact words), so I put on the soundtrack and turned it to track three, "Flying". My friend came in all excited and said "What's this? It's great." "It's 'Peter Pan'," I replied. He got annoyed and left, but not before taking my soundtrack. Such is the appeal of this beautiful, stunning musical score by James Newton Howard.

I've been a mild fan of Howard for a while now (his "Unbreakable" score was a fave of mine) but let me tell you, if you liked him before, you are not going to believe what he does here. He is officially writing music at a whole new level. Sounding like a stunning blend of old-school John Williams and Danny Elfman at his peak, such tracks as the aforementioned "Flying", "The Fairy Dance" and the main title mark this score as the best score of 2003, and one of the best fantasy scores ever.

Lovely choral work, delicate use of bells and harps, and the best synthesizer piece since "Chariots of Fire" are all displayed here. "Come Meet Father" has a Native American feel to the opening bars (suitable for the Lost Boys), the pirate theme is woven through several tracks (including "Fetch Long Tom") and "Mermaids" is downright creepy (as it's supposed to be). The score for this movie is so good, in fact, that some terrific stuff is unfortunately left off of the CD, but there's still plenty here to crow about.

If you are a fan of fantasy scores, like James Newton Howard, or have any children, this score is a must buy. Just listen to the sample tracks above if you have any doubts. My friend, by the way, claims this CD is "pretty good, but I still don't want to see the movie." He says so, but I think it's his biggest pretend.

GRADE: A

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent score! Howard strikes again! November 6, 2004

By J. K. Moser

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed the work of James Newton Howard for several years, beginning with his score for the Fugitive, but it was not until the last 4 or 5 years that I feel that Howard has come into his own. With stirring scores for Atlantic, Dinosaur and especialy Treasure Planet, Howard has advanced quickly through the ranks of other composers to begin to emerge as one of the elite in the movie business. His score for Peter Pan enhances an already great resume. His work on Peter Pan perfectly matches with movie with light and fun themes interchanging with dark swashbuckling music and an adventurous themes, and of course his wonderful and beautiful flying music. His flying theme is truly a masterpiece, a soaring melody that puts the listener in the clouds with the characters on screen. I rate Howard's Peter Pan very highly and consider it to be among the most enjoyable of scores to listen to.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I do believe in Howard, I do, I do!! January 19, 2004

By Josh Boland

Format:Audio CD

This soundtrack is absolutely amazing! It is definitely one of my favorites! I had first seen the movie, mainly to check out the music. When the movie began with the "Main Titles' I immediately told myself to get the soundtrack.
Not one moment of the whole CD was a waste. It was simply magical,adventurous, exciting,chilling,....
James Newton Howard has definitely displayed his talent in this one. I have listened to the CD every day for two weeks and I'm still not tired of it.
My favorite ones were "Main Titles', 'Flying' and'Fairy Dance'. My only regret is that it wasn't very long and the songs were not in order.
It is a must-have soundtrack!