15 November 2010

MMAM - Vol. 16

In THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, David Yates regular Nicholas Hooper composed a score that fantastically reflected the atmosphere and tone of that film. The wonderful themes made for the Weasley twins and Professor Umbrdige, for example. So naturally, it was a given Hooper would come back for HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, and he did just that. Unfortunately, I find Hooper's score lackluster in comparison to his marvelous work on PHOENIX. There are very few cues I find worthwhile, and the eagerly-anticipated "When Ginny Kissed Harry" was just rubbish. I understand there's many who found HALF-BLOOD pleasing in multiple ways, from the movie to the music, so what I'm writing may not please a good portion of folks.

But lo and behold, Hooper did some good work on HALF-BLOOD. Below is one such example, the moment when Dumbeldore makes Harry promise not to act rashly on the mission and zap over to The Cave. Marvelous, eerie music that just sends chills up me spine. Another good instance of Hooper's work is the opening sequence as Harry is being pulled away by Dumbledore post-PHOENIX; some great cues there. With this Friday's DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1, Yates has changed composers to Alexandre Desplat (THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON), of which I am eagerly looking forward to hear. Anyway, listen to the awesomeness of "Journey to the Cave"!


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