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Editorial Reviews
Original score to the 2012 major motion picture composed by James Newton Howard and executive produced by T-Bone Burnett. The Hunger Games is the highly anticipated first film in the trilogy based on the young-adult adventure science fiction series written by Suzanne Collins. The first two books were each New York Times best sellers, and the third book, Mockingjay, topped all US bestseller lists upon its release.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
HG OST contains mere moments of great music, but too short to ever develop into something greater
March 26, 2012
By Lady Rue
Format:MP3 Music
I, like so many other people, was greatly anticipating not only the "Hunger Games" film, but - more importantly - the soundtrack. And when it was announced that James Newton Howard (JNH) was doing the music, I became even more excited to hear the score. Overall, the score is well-done. It is certainly not the JNH from louder, bolder scores and lacks some of the more epic-quality cues from scores like "Dinosaur" and "The Last Airbender," and the magic that permeates "Lady in the Water" and "Peter Pan;" but it certainly does contribute some good tracks. This soundtrack showcases JNH from his more subtler sound, i.e. "Lady in the Water" without the majestic, awe-inspiring cues; just the quiet, building darkness, similar to quieter scores like "I Am Legend," "Defiance," and "King Kong." Luckily, the soundtrack is a vast improvement over some of the latest disappointments of "Salt" and "The Green Lantern;" but there is still a great deal of improvements that can be made.
The score is also fairly short, clocking in under 45 minutes. Most of the tracks are only around a minute long, which, given JNH's composing style, isn't really enough time for him to create the masterful building of melody that is one of his trademark sounds. Still, he manages to capture a feel for the film in the short minute-long tracks. But it can't help but leave the listener longing for the theme to continue and develop, as melodies in JNH's scores tend to do.
It doesn't ever evolve enough to capture a real theme for the "Hunger Games," though, if he continues to compose for the series, it's almost certain that he will reuse some of the melodies in this soundtrack and shape them into more complex themes later on. But for now, we are only given a taste of what those themes might grow into. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic North America, with District 12 serving as the poor, starving Appalachian starting point of the story, which then changes scenery to the ultra-modern Capitol, which then reverts back to the more organic game setting of a forest for the Games themselves, albeit with a twist of technology thrown in. Most of the score is devoted to the Appalachia feel of District 12, with a blue grass overtone that includes a prominent use of a guitar and fiddle. The three tracks that devote the most thematically to the Capitol theme are "Entering the Capitol" which has a moment of ethnic sound to it before changing into an electronic one; "Preparing the Chariots" which is just a prelude to "Horn of Plenty" which the Canadian alternative band The Arcade Fire composed (JNH orchestrated). "Penthouse/Training", "Learning the Skills", and "Muttations" all have the most action-oriented sound to them, which mostly consists of a quiet, new age sound with percussion to drive the story forward. Keep in mind that while the blue grass/new age combination may at first sound strange, it suits the film, since it's futuristic, but takes place primarily in a natural setting. The film generally relies on silence most of the time to make it seem more realistic from Katnisss's perspective, but when JNH's score is allowed to work its way into the film, it does an apt job at hitting the right notes and contributing to the story and the film as a whole.
Highlights are:
"Healing Katniss," which has a traditional JNH harmonic line build, "breathing" melody, and subtle instrumentation with a blue grass twist. Keeping with the score's blue grass theme, the tracks "Katniss Afoot" and "Searching for Peeta" also contain the guitar/string elements in their sound. "The Cave" is a soft track with JNH's typical oboe solo line, a brief bit of piano, and guitar. "Rue's Farewell" will no doubt be the most popular track, and those who have read the book/seen the film will know why. The same theme is carried in "Tenuous Winner/Returning Home" as well.
And fair warning to people to watch the film: not all of the tracks made it onto the film (which is surprising, given how only 40 minutes of the estimated 80 minutes of music JNH actually wrote). Several of the tracks were cut in order to include other, secondary music that was added in at the last minute. And, as it is with most soundtracks, there's a great deal of excellent music that's used in the film that unfortunately never made it onto the soundtrack, so don't be too disappointed if the music to a good part in the film is absent from the soundtrack (notable exclusions include the music when Katniss shoots the apple and the music heard during the berry scene).
This score probably won't be JNH's finest accomplishment, but if you're a JNH fan and like the subtleties of his music, this soundtrack certainly has a few tracks that are worth owning. I'm sure that, should JNH continue with the upcoming three films of the series, that the music will only continue to evolve and grow into something even better.
The score is also fairly short, clocking in under 45 minutes. Most of the tracks are only around a minute long, which, given JNH's composing style, isn't really enough time for him to create the masterful building of melody that is one of his trademark sounds. Still, he manages to capture a feel for the film in the short minute-long tracks. But it can't help but leave the listener longing for the theme to continue and develop, as melodies in JNH's scores tend to do.
It doesn't ever evolve enough to capture a real theme for the "Hunger Games," though, if he continues to compose for the series, it's almost certain that he will reuse some of the melodies in this soundtrack and shape them into more complex themes later on. But for now, we are only given a taste of what those themes might grow into. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic North America, with District 12 serving as the poor, starving Appalachian starting point of the story, which then changes scenery to the ultra-modern Capitol, which then reverts back to the more organic game setting of a forest for the Games themselves, albeit with a twist of technology thrown in. Most of the score is devoted to the Appalachia feel of District 12, with a blue grass overtone that includes a prominent use of a guitar and fiddle. The three tracks that devote the most thematically to the Capitol theme are "Entering the Capitol" which has a moment of ethnic sound to it before changing into an electronic one; "Preparing the Chariots" which is just a prelude to "Horn of Plenty" which the Canadian alternative band The Arcade Fire composed (JNH orchestrated). "Penthouse/Training", "Learning the Skills", and "Muttations" all have the most action-oriented sound to them, which mostly consists of a quiet, new age sound with percussion to drive the story forward. Keep in mind that while the blue grass/new age combination may at first sound strange, it suits the film, since it's futuristic, but takes place primarily in a natural setting. The film generally relies on silence most of the time to make it seem more realistic from Katnisss's perspective, but when JNH's score is allowed to work its way into the film, it does an apt job at hitting the right notes and contributing to the story and the film as a whole.
Highlights are:
"Healing Katniss," which has a traditional JNH harmonic line build, "breathing" melody, and subtle instrumentation with a blue grass twist. Keeping with the score's blue grass theme, the tracks "Katniss Afoot" and "Searching for Peeta" also contain the guitar/string elements in their sound. "The Cave" is a soft track with JNH's typical oboe solo line, a brief bit of piano, and guitar. "Rue's Farewell" will no doubt be the most popular track, and those who have read the book/seen the film will know why. The same theme is carried in "Tenuous Winner/Returning Home" as well.
And fair warning to people to watch the film: not all of the tracks made it onto the film (which is surprising, given how only 40 minutes of the estimated 80 minutes of music JNH actually wrote). Several of the tracks were cut in order to include other, secondary music that was added in at the last minute. And, as it is with most soundtracks, there's a great deal of excellent music that's used in the film that unfortunately never made it onto the soundtrack, so don't be too disappointed if the music to a good part in the film is absent from the soundtrack (notable exclusions include the music when Katniss shoots the apple and the music heard during the berry scene).
This score probably won't be JNH's finest accomplishment, but if you're a JNH fan and like the subtleties of his music, this soundtrack certainly has a few tracks that are worth owning. I'm sure that, should JNH continue with the upcoming three films of the series, that the music will only continue to evolve and grow into something even better.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this album for one song, or, I should say, one theme. The fanfare that blazes throughout the film, which can be heard towards the end of track 6 and the beginning of track 7, is FANTASTIC! I get a perfect mental image of the chariots riding into the Tribute Parade and it gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. It's repeated throughout the entire film but only appears in the score ONCE. Track 7 is the only time it appears, which baffles me.
The rest of the score is good music and it's well performed but upon listening through the album several times I've grown to realize that the tracks seem to blend together and are difficult to tie to their corresponding moments in the film. Additionally, I don't listen to one song and know immediately upon its conclusion which song to expect next. To my ear it all sounds very similar. No, it doesn't sound exactly the same, obviously there are instrumental changes and mood changes, and maybe it'll take some time for me to begin to really distinguish one track from another, but the general ethereal flavor blurs things together for me.
The album is very short and unlike other movie scores, with songs that are oftentimes up to 12 minutes long, not one track exceeds 5 minutes while most are less than 2 minutes. This is relatively passable since most of the songs tend to blend together, but there are times when the short tracks detract from the experience. In particular, the gap between tracks 6 and 7 really hurts the build up to the climactic beginning of track 7.
If I were you, instead of buying the whole album, I'd just buy tracks 6 and 7 and enable gapless playback. Six acts as a lead-in to 7 and they should have been combined into a single track. Also remember that the songs are all VERY short, so listening to the preview will give you an almost complete feel for a particular song.
3/5 for not providing more fanfare and for the short track lengths. They use just over half of the available 74 minutes of CD space which is a shame considering the music they left out.
The rest of the score is good music and it's well performed but upon listening through the album several times I've grown to realize that the tracks seem to blend together and are difficult to tie to their corresponding moments in the film. Additionally, I don't listen to one song and know immediately upon its conclusion which song to expect next. To my ear it all sounds very similar. No, it doesn't sound exactly the same, obviously there are instrumental changes and mood changes, and maybe it'll take some time for me to begin to really distinguish one track from another, but the general ethereal flavor blurs things together for me.
The album is very short and unlike other movie scores, with songs that are oftentimes up to 12 minutes long, not one track exceeds 5 minutes while most are less than 2 minutes. This is relatively passable since most of the songs tend to blend together, but there are times when the short tracks detract from the experience. In particular, the gap between tracks 6 and 7 really hurts the build up to the climactic beginning of track 7.
If I were you, instead of buying the whole album, I'd just buy tracks 6 and 7 and enable gapless playback. Six acts as a lead-in to 7 and they should have been combined into a single track. Also remember that the songs are all VERY short, so listening to the preview will give you an almost complete feel for a particular song.
3/5 for not providing more fanfare and for the short track lengths. They use just over half of the available 74 minutes of CD space which is a shame considering the music they left out.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Justin Moe
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This score includes most of the familiar themes that play in the key parts of the film. I love this score because I can literally see the film playing out in my mind as I listen to it from beginning to end. James Newton Howard has done it again! He has composed a very unique and brilliant score that stirs emotion from within. There are some pieces of music that I noticed that were in the film, but not in this score, but it is still a winner if you are a JNH fan!
The score opens with a very simple, yet captivating theme with a simple arrangement. As you move through the tracks, you are taken on the same journey (even if abbreviated) as Katniss.
It is hard to pick favorites from this score because all the tracks are unique.
1. The Hunger Games has that haunting melody that you can never forget.
2. Katniss Afoot has renaissance/medieval feel to it but still fits the scene in the film, which I think is brilliant!
6. Preparing the Chariots, and 7. Horn of Plenty captures the whole tribute chariot ceremony sequence at the capitol, playing the anthem of Panem (composed by Arcade Fire, track orchestrated by JNH). The music is exciting and driving.
8. Penthouse/Training is another track that draws you into the film. The calm melody that plays during the first half is another beautiful piece, playing when Katniss sees the projection of the forest in her room. Then the track transitions into the training section, which totally switches the mood. I really like how there is this whole ethnic feel mixed into the instrumentation to some of these tracks.
9. Learning The Skills is another track that has a more modern/action-oriented feel to it.
10. Countdown is listed as not being in the film. It's interesting. I can hear this being played during the whole countdown sequence, but I'm sure it was left out because the sequence itself is more powerful where the music is omitted. I'm a little disappointed that the little piece of music that plays when the games first begin is not in this score.
12. Healing Katniss is another that takes you into the whole sequence from the film. It's calm but moving at the same time.
There is no doubt that the most powerful track in the score is 13. Rue's Farewell, which stirs up just as much emotion as that whole sequence does in the film itself. It is just simply brilliantly written. Another action piece is 17. Muttations. Lots of drums pounding and driving, and a little bit of electric guitar for when Cato fights Peeta and Katniss on the Horn.
So, overall I would say that this is a successful score. It's a bit short, but works very well with the film and is a great addition to your James Newton Howard library.
The score opens with a very simple, yet captivating theme with a simple arrangement. As you move through the tracks, you are taken on the same journey (even if abbreviated) as Katniss.
It is hard to pick favorites from this score because all the tracks are unique.
1. The Hunger Games has that haunting melody that you can never forget.
2. Katniss Afoot has renaissance/medieval feel to it but still fits the scene in the film, which I think is brilliant!
6. Preparing the Chariots, and 7. Horn of Plenty captures the whole tribute chariot ceremony sequence at the capitol, playing the anthem of Panem (composed by Arcade Fire, track orchestrated by JNH). The music is exciting and driving.
8. Penthouse/Training is another track that draws you into the film. The calm melody that plays during the first half is another beautiful piece, playing when Katniss sees the projection of the forest in her room. Then the track transitions into the training section, which totally switches the mood. I really like how there is this whole ethnic feel mixed into the instrumentation to some of these tracks.
9. Learning The Skills is another track that has a more modern/action-oriented feel to it.
10. Countdown is listed as not being in the film. It's interesting. I can hear this being played during the whole countdown sequence, but I'm sure it was left out because the sequence itself is more powerful where the music is omitted. I'm a little disappointed that the little piece of music that plays when the games first begin is not in this score.
12. Healing Katniss is another that takes you into the whole sequence from the film. It's calm but moving at the same time.
There is no doubt that the most powerful track in the score is 13. Rue's Farewell, which stirs up just as much emotion as that whole sequence does in the film itself. It is just simply brilliantly written. Another action piece is 17. Muttations. Lots of drums pounding and driving, and a little bit of electric guitar for when Cato fights Peeta and Katniss on the Horn.
So, overall I would say that this is a successful score. It's a bit short, but works very well with the film and is a great addition to your James Newton Howard library.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Really, no Caeser Flickerman theme?
Not sure why a "Hunger Games" soundtrack would omit Flickerman's theme, a composition so integral to the ethos of the film. Read more
Published 16 days ago by LMB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music is like watching the movie
The music brings you back into the movie. If you liked the movie then you should like this CD definately.
Published 1 month ago by Isdora Honeywell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
I bought this after I had watched the movie but before I read the book. Its an amazing score and perfect for the theme, setting, mood, everything! It's awesome!
Published 1 month ago by Haili
5.0 out of 5 stars
Future-Tense
This felt so much like a glimpse into our own future United States....I could see and feel it. The "Capitol" itself reminded me of Washington D.C. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Young
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but......
They left out a couple of songs that I wanted. They left out the music where Katniss is walking in District 12 to meet up with Gale. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dale S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
My daughter is wearing this disk out. I don't have nay idea how many times she has watched it. It was well worth the money. IF you like the books I think you'll enjoy the movie. Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Gorrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Moody Soundtrack!
I originally went to see this movie not knowing a thing about the story, but because a friend had some of her music used in it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jokie X Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Soundtrack
Love the show, love most of the songs, LOVE the soundtrack. Amazing use of instruments to create the sounds of the movie.
Published 3 months ago by Marbles
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
Love it even though I haven't listened to it yet
Recommended it to everyone
They did a very good job
Recommended it to everyone
They did a very good job
Published 3 months ago by Sherri Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Hunger Games score...
I love movie scores...every score I've listened to had the power of transporting me to the world of that movie. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Becky
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