Customer Reviews

Waterworld: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No one can deny that Waterworld, despite its massive budget and star-studded cast, is one of the worst movies to come out of Hollywood in years. It's score, however, is another matter entirely. I certainly hope James Newton Howard received some sort of an award for the incredible music he composed for this movie. Close your eyes while listening to the Main Title, The Atoll, and Escaping the Smokers, and in your mind you will see the film the way it should have been. From ethereal and haunting, to pounding and exhilerating, the tracks on this CD effectively convey the atmosphere of Waterworld - a desolate, post-nuclear ocean wasteland on which the last remnants of humanity struggle to survive against the elements and marauding bands of jetskiing pirates known as "Smokers." Even if you never see the movie (no one will hold it against you), the original soundtrack by James Newton Howard is an absolute must-have.

First, I refuse to buy into the notion that this was a bad movie; it wasn't (for further testimony from myself on this movie's behalf, I have written a review for the DVD release as well), and I still challenge anyone to at least rent it in order to form an opinion of their own rather than just listen to what the critics (and the sheep who went along with the critics) had to say six years ago.

Having gotten that off my chest, you could see the movie blindfolded and still enjoy James Newton Howard's score. He's proven himself to be considered on the same plateau as John Williams and Ennio Morricone with this production. The unconventional use of various flutes and pipes give the score an exotic feeling (and do a fine job of conveying the notion of an isolated soul, Costner's character, surrounded by endless sea breezes), and the African/Indian percussion used to augment many of the tracks bring forth the idea that the world has devolved to a primordial (if not primitive) era requiring a honed (if not brutal) survival instinct if anyone is to make it in the world as it has become.

When conventional orchestration is used, the result is a theme worthy of Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks, (Harrison Ford?), any cinematic adventurer you care to name...it's big, wide-open, and exhilarating...what you'd expect God to play for you as you slice through the ocean, wind in your sails and salty brine in your face.

I'm not giving this review 5 stars because the tracks don't appear on the CD in the order that they're played in the movie (though this certainly doesn't detract from the music itself) and because the theme from Enola's music box (which she kept humming throughout the entire movie, providing a sense of foreshadowing for those who cared to look for it) WASN'T included. I thought that, for its significance, it would warrant inclusion on the soundtrack, if in a reduced orchestral form rather than music box chimes. Morricone would've included it, had he composed and conducted this work.

To sum up, this is a great soundtrack to (what I'm not alone in believing is) a great movie...you'd do well to experience them both.

Whether or not you liked the film - the score for 'Waterworld' is one of James Newton Howard's most listenable efforts. It is a score that is able to sustain one's attention by altering pace and feel and avoiding repetitive melodies which often burdens the listener. Furthermore, Howard makes it interesting by foregrounding other instruments beyond the typcial brass or string sections.

As one might expect from a score about the ocean - the overall composition reflects two themes: (1)the dark and eerie (2)the triumphant and mysterious. Since, the film attempts to portray a futuristic time-space, Howard offers exotic drum beats, bells, and flutes to convey a sense of another world. The use of African-type drum beats can also be heard in another score -'Dinosaur' (a film set in past time-space). Howard tends to utilise and combine these elements well and 'Snow Falling on Cedars' is another film score which exemplifies that (particularly with flutes/chimes - see my review for 'Snow Falling on Cedars').

Referring back to 'Waterworld' - the first two tracks will draw you in like a moth to a flame. 'Escaping the Smokers' is a wonderful piece that echoes the Mariner's triumphant escape. At the same, it is not an overblown action cue that brings constant grinding halts with its string and brass sections (which one often hears in action cues).

Track 6 - 'Swimming' is utterly delighful and exemplifies the mysterious theme I referred to earlier. Here, Howard uses bell-like chimes, flutes, synthesizers, and strings combined with subtle choral permeations which offers the listener a sense of peace. Much can be said for many other tracks.

Overall, 'Waterworld' is a seamless effort and if you loved the score to 'Snow Falling on Cedars', then it is most likely you will appreciate this score. In my opinion, they are both better than 'Dinosaur'. That said, James Newton Howard engaged very well with what the film attempted to be.

Any fan of great epic motion picture scores ('Dune,' 'The Rock,' etc) has got to get their hands on this CD. It includes everything from fast-paced tracks to soothing Enya-esque watery tunes. Wonderfully orchestrated and very enjoyable.

If you liked "The Last of the Mohicans" or anything like that, you'll love "WaterWorld." Though the movie wasn't much of a success, the soundtracks for it were very good. James Newton Howard did an excellent job creating the "mysty" feeling. I especially liked "Escaping the Smokers" (Track 5) with the fast paced music, and "Deacon's Speech" (Track 17). This CD is worth every penny. That is...if you make the right decision.

What an album! Many things come to mind when listening to this CD. First of all, I haven't seen the film, so I must rely on other mental images when listening to the CD. Most of the music sounds alot like James Newton Howard's "Atlantis: The Lost Empire." This CD, however, is a VERY long and varied score, giving fans of several scoring genres a heaping dose of what they like.

Totally worth it... Get this CD.

This score is one of my favorites of all time. This sweeping themes at the beginning contrast nicely with the end of the album which slows down to a beautiful melody. Too bad there isn't more music from the film on the album.

It's a shame Newton-Howard's great score for Waterworld was put to such waste in a rather mediocre film. It has all the incredients for an epic score. Newton-Howard has done all he can with the material he was given, and more. The score starts out with some great action music, then slowly drifts into a calm, soothing score. Only to pick up again with action music, and then dramatic music once again. Newton-Howard uses the perfect combination of synthesizers and orchestra to make a most satisfying listening experience. Tracks 1 and 2 are worth the cd alone. Funny thing is, those aren't even the best tracks on the cd. My personal favorites are 4 and 6. The music is incredibly soothing, and if you have ever heard Vangelis' score to 1492: Conquest of Paradise, it will sound very familiar. If you haven't heard much from Newton-Howard, pick up this score and I'm sure you will search for some of his other work immediately (Dinosaur/Sixth Sense are two of his good, newer scores). I wish there were 1/2 stars available in this rating, because in that case, I would give Waterworld a 4 1/2. The only thing keeping this score from reaching a 5 star rating is in a few tracks (later in the album), it tends to slow down a bit and there is some filler music. Not too much though, don't worry. Bottom line, if you are a score fan, pick it up!

James Newton Howard has done some of his best, most epic work against the clock. Late 2005, Howard had to provide 3 hours of music for Peter Jackson's KING KONG. Boy, did he deliver the goods! Rewind a decade ago from KING KONG and Howard was busy trying to save a failing production: WATERWORLD.

Howard managed to come up with triumphant fanfares, percussive action pieces, and beautiful underscore to enrich the film. Opening with percussion that sounds a lot like deep water dipping, we are thrust into a world full of adventure.

Some of the better tracks of the album include:
- Escaping the Smokers
- The Skyboat (Precursor to "Last Blank Space on the Map" from KING KONG)
- Helen Frees the Mariner
- Deacon's Speech (Awesome choral work enhanced by loud brass)

This is a score worth having so get your hands on it as soon as you can! It's a rare, expensive find. Thankfully, Amazon has quite a few copies to offer so buy it now!

The soundtrack was great condition as it said on the description. I find when it's difficult to find your favourite album or electronic device that isn't relatively available in typical retail stores. Sometimes we have to search else wehere.
*Overall, I've been searching for this item for 6 years and I finally decided "What the heck I'm going to purchase it before one day it's no longer trackable. I got what I wanted and I do reccommend anyone that seen the outrageous adventure moive=To get this soundtrack becuase you'll feel you were experiencing the live action!
Thank you, and enjoy!!
Jared