The Missing (Score) [SOUNDTRACK]

James Horner (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: James Horner
• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000TGA4Q
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,144 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Director Ron Howard has turned John Ford's Western icon The Searchers on its paternalized head in what's essentially a remake--then given the story an unexpected twist of Native American mysticism to thoroughly confound its genre expectations. Composer James Horner eschews any hint of traditional Western motifs in his orchestral score, instead building a gradual sense of foreboding and mystery that ebbs and flows with a restless insistence, if little of the action film thunder that we've come to expect in Hollywood fare. The story's shamanic connections also come to the fore via indigenous wind instruments that seem more Andean than Native American, but in Horner's hands such choices only serve to underscore the score's spiritual dimensions in haunting new ways. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James Horner's best score of last year., June 23, 2004

By	Krishna Manohar (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Say what you will about James Horner, I think this is the best score he has written awhile. I did see the film and thought it was somewhat fair but odd how the films opening shot was Cate Blanchett in an outhouse. Oh well back to music, I would definitely recommend this score along with Beyond Borders, which is a synth based film score but tastefully done with impressive vocals and ethnic instrumentation. Both are far superior than the lackluster score which Horner provided as a replacement for Troy. The Missing really soars in the second half and it is unforgettable.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Ron Howard sets his standards High ~ James Horner", March 2, 2004

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A Ron Howard film, "The Missing", featuring Tommy Lee Jones (Samuel Jones), Cate Blanchett (Maggie Gilkeson), Eric Schweig (Chidin), Evan Rachel Wood (Lilly Gilkeson), Jenna Boyd (Dot Gilkeson), Aaron Eckhart (Brake Baldwin) and Val Kilmer (Lt. Jim Ducharme) ~ suspenseful, dramatic and supernatural story set in a western landscape ~ outstanding performances by all the above ~ but none of this would work without composer James Horner's reveting score, filled with Native American themes.

James Horner pulls out all his magic tricks with "DAWN TO DUSK/THE RIDERLESS HORSE", "THE BRUJO'S STORM/A LOSS OF INNOCENCE", "KAYITAH'S DEATH/THE SOARING HAWK" and "THE LONG RIDE HOME" ~ entire score is loaded with Horner signature cues, from slow building crescendos of violence to harmonious blends of mysticism, Horner is a champion in that department ~ always in demand for scoring another film for Ron Howard...gotta love it!

Total Time: 77:35 on 15 Tracks ~ Sony 93093 ~ (11/18/2003)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid score not to be "missed", November 18, 2003

By A Customer

James Horner digs deep into his musical pallette for Ron Howard's new suspense western mystery. Even though I haven't seen the movie (and I can't wait either) this is a good score and what I would expect from James. Lots of lush orchestration with a few surprises thrown into the mix (metal chairs for percussion, native chants) which makes for quite an interesting and compelling listen. The score is very dynamic with some of the best action writing I've heard from Mr. Horner in a long time. Stand out tracks for me are 3, 7, 12 and 15. Traces of Legends of the Fall, Braveheart and even Zorro can be heard but this is a definite must for any Horner collecter.