Dinosaur: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

Dinosaur: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
With his score to the effects-heavy Disney dazzler Dinosaur, James Newton Howard proves there's no emotion or action he's beyond evoking with convincing bravado through his prodigious command of melody. Beginning with the water-pure, exploratory, near new-agey opening track, "Inner Sanctum/The Nesting Grounds," Howard sets his listeners up for a range of emotions. Danger and adventure come with "The End of Our Island," a highly textured face-off between hunter and hunted with excellent cymbal- and timbale-driven percussion. "Raptors/Stand Together" has a creepy sense of stalking, and "The Carnotaur Attack," is every bit as ominous as the theme to Jaws. Then there's "Kron & Aladar Fight" with a clashing that suggests chaotic energy. A mood of triumph comes with the inspiring march "Across the Desert," and "Finding Water" satisfies with its quality of resolution. "Breakout" provides the unmistakable sense of succeeding at some Sisyphean task and attendant celebrations. Traditional African rhythms, as on "The Courtship," support vocal arrangements by Grammy- and Tony-Award winning Lebo M. (best known for his work on The Lion King) and sometimes chirpy, cheerful chanting, as in "It Comes with a Pool." Less gut-driven but not a pinch less powerful is the gentle, beautiful "The Cave," an orchestral piece well worth several punches of any CD player's Repeat button. For a closer, this 16-song CD's "Epilogue" sweepingly parts the clouds to reveal sunshine and hope as only Disney could and, as usual, it works. In a little less than an hour, the Dinosaur soundtrack succeeds in taking its listeners on a 65-million-year journey without a regrettable moment. --Tammy La Gorce
Customer Review: Classic!
a classic cd perfect for somone who is a huge dinosaur fan. the songs are splendid
Customer Review: Breathtaking....
I had bought this album simply for the track " The Egg Travels' but I was in for a surprise. James Newton Howard had created a masterpiece. A one of a kind score. Everything was so entertaining. If it wasn't beautiful it was tense and exciting. The best thing about this album his approach with the African voices and rhythms. This score is one of my absolute favorites. I've listened to it so many times and I'm still not tired of it. A must own for those who love great film music.


Treasure Planet Disney Read-Along
This kid-friendly disc serves as an advance for the DVD release of Disney's Treasure Planet feature, while emphasizing the story's roots in the written word. The main attraction is the movie's story, which can be read aloud in five different languages while viewers watch successive, still images from the original animated film. Sound strange? Sure, but the process is engrossing for children--a natural audience for storytelling. Also on board is a multilingual vocabulary experience, in which you can hear words associated with Treasure Planet's story (e.g., "chest") in Spanish, Italian, French, etc. Two songs from the film, written and performed by Goo Goo Dolls icon John Rzeznik, also get the image-by-image treatment, though the disc also includes a powerful, ghostly celestial music video for Rzeznik's "I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme)." There's also a game compatible with Playstation 2 (and other gaming consoles with DVD drive). --Tom Keogh
Customer Review: Underappreciated
I know this was a box office bomb, but being the Treasure Island fanatic that I am I could not help but love it for its wildly creative retelling and the wonderful animation and spirit. I think that this film truly captured the emotional wonder of Robert Louis Stevenson's original story, if not the details (Then again, not too many movies exactly get the book correct). The soundtrack is incredible, perfectly piratey. The entire story is one of longing, angst, and change. So it may be a little moody, but it's a beautiful peace of art and Disney magic.
Customer Review: Treasure Island as an animated space opera
Pirates and kids are always a hit. This movies translates a children's classic tale from the Atlantic Ocean to the space of the galaxy in a Star Wars mix of technology, Robots and cute little aliens ( Morphy). Mutiny comes at an unexpected time, but the captain, the astronomer and Jim make it away alive. Getting back the ship and bringing back the treasure is another story altogether and it brings young Jim to his full abilities and courage. The technology seems more like magic and space like a small ocean, but the fantasy is pretty flawless? It is a fun movie, but lacks that classic edge due to the Disney 'formula' approach?


Eeyore's Happy Tail (Disney's Out & About With Pooh, Vol. 6)