Search - James Newton Howard :: I Am Legend

Legendary Score

G. Hill | Dublin, Ireland | 02/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Newton Howard once again confirms the fact that he is the most versatile and interesting composer working in hollywood today. Gone now are the modern greats such as Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein and this void that was created by their sad departure was always going to be hard to fill. Howard has in the last few years has become a composer of choice turning out a series of good workmanlike scores and a clutch of exeptionally fine pieces of work. Among these "Wyatt Earp", "The Postman", "Unbreakable", "Signs", "The Village", Etc and now he has come up trumps again with "I am Legend".

This remake of "The Omega man" which in turn was a remake of "The last man on earth" took the age old idea of a solitary man left alone in a world apart from the threat of mutants and the like. This idea was also explored in "The Quiet Earth" and "The World,The Flesh & The Devil". While the film is well made and has a good turn by Will Smith it really did not make a big impact at the box office. The score within while evident in key scenes seemed muted and at times unnoticable, buried by sound effects, so it did not bode well as a future soundtrack album. I could'nt have been more wrong.

From the opening track "My name is Robert Neville" we are introduced to a melancholic but beautiful theme which permeates the score its almost waltz-like in its delivery. The sheer beauty of parts of this score is at times overwhelming especially in "Sam's gone", "Re-united" and "Epilogue" displaying an ethereal fusion of orchestra and choir in the familiar charismatic tone of the composer. The score also features some pounding percussion pieces in "Darkseeker dogs" and "The jagged edge". They seem a little out of place amongst the other more melodic tracks as if they belonged to another score but they are fine pieces nonetheless.

It amazes me how at times a composer can be so inspired, by at times so little and deliver an intense and wonderful musical experience. James Newton Howard is one of those who do just that and I highly recommend this score which brillantly shines and will stay with you far longer than its source film."