Avatar Soundtrack Review

by Rob Wainfur

Lets get the one criticism out of the way. James Horner's Avatar soundtrack sounds very similar in places to his other work especially Titanic. He has been criticised before for re-using his material. But you know what? I don't care. Why get criticised for re-using stuff if the material in the first place is spectacular? I for one am pleased because I know if I listen to a James Horner soundtrack I am getting top class music consistently.

Avatar is no exception. In fact I would probably go as far as to say that this is his finest work. Horner use of a jungle rhythm and ethnic choir voices combined with his signature long cues make this a soundtrack for every one's collection. The soundtrack can be split into three. The first few tracks are soft and a build up to the experience of Pandora. Once the movie enters Pandora then the soundtrack really shines. Uplifting, happy, spiritual music that will make you want to watch the movie again and again. For those who cannot get enough of the movie and want to be part of the world you could really get your fix by closing your eyes and listening to the uplifting feel good music that Horner has created, capturing the world perfectly.

My personal favourite has to be track five. Becoming One Of The People-Becoming One With Neytiri. This one track alone is worth the asking price of the soundtrack. Over seven minutes of such an uplifting piece of music that after listening to this you will genuinely feel happier. The only piece of music that comes close to doing this is Christopher Tin's Baba Yetu. If you wake up Monday with Monday morning blues. Listen to this one track on the way to work. I guarantee by the time you get to work you will feel a whole lot better for it.



The final part is more darker obviously depicting the War, in fact track thirteen is simply called War. Over eleven minutes long this has to be one of the best action cues out there. If you are a fan of Hans Zimmer then you are going to love this. This could be one of the best pieces of soundtrack music ever written. It is certainly up there with the best. Listening to War (track thirteen) is probably worth an Oscar on its own. Over eleven minutes that takes you by the hand and doesn't let go and to be honest you wouldn't want too.



The last track is the song sang by Leona Lewis which is okay but along side Horner's score it pales in comparison.

A must buy and well worth every penny.