John Williams - Hook: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Powerful soundtrack

The movie didn't really got to the public heart's. And it has it's problems, I reckon that.
Anyhow, I like it. AND, what bring us here is that this soundtrack is highly recommendable. Except for the song that Peter Banning's daughter sings ( so... annoying). A very nice piece of fantasy involving pirates, mermaids, lagoons, and all that we like to think about :) April 26, 2007

One of the Best Movie Scores EVER

John Williams is arguably the best film composer of modern times and Hook is possibly his best score ever. Just listen to the one and a half minute track titled Prologue for this soundtrack (arguably Williams' best single work ever) and you will understand just how magical it really is. The complexity of this score trumps any work from other composers...even other large-scale Williams scores like E.T., Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park, which are all iconic. Williams did not write another children's fanatasy score until 2001 for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Although good, it pales in comparison to the grandeur and beauty of Hook. I own over 170 soundtracks, and if you enjoy film scores as much as I, Hook is a must own. Period. March 20, 2007

Hook Yourself With This One

Anytime John Williams and Steven Spielberg collaborate on a project, the results are none short of breathtaking. They always seem to have an outstanding relationship matching the music to the visuals. And with Williams' music, it always sounds just as good on its own. The music is full of awesome, magical themes and exciting action music. The main theme in "Hook" is a 10-note, heroic motif usually played on the brass and is played through many thematic variations throughout the score. It is mainly heard when Peter Pan does something heroic - a very appropriate time.
"Prologue" starts out the score with a bang with strings and majestic trumpets accompanied by clashes of the cymbal, letting you know that this is an awesome 75 minutes ahead. Anytime Williams writes music like this, you are in for a real treat. The first part of the score mainly sets the mood for the remainder of the score, with fantasy-like strings and harps enticing you into Neverland. The Lost Boys' music is fun to listen to, with the orchestra giving a strenuous workout with rapid string passages and triumphant brasses.
Once Peter Banning begins to remember his childhood and the fact that he is indeed Peter Pan, the music is a truly, magical experience. "Remembering Childhood" and "You Are the Pan" are two of the best tracks on the album with soaring and majestic strings. The themes for Captain Hook and his crew are jaunty with whistling hornpipes and comical marches, almost military sounding in nature.
"We Don't Wanna Grow Up" and "When You're Alone" are 2 songs that come from parts of the score and fit in nicely with the film. The only track on the album that does not fit in with the rest is "Banning Back Home", which sounds as if it came from a standard romantic-comedy film, with an upbeat, almost jazzy piano solo.
All in all, a fun and exciting score that any fan of John Williams will surely appreciate. March 2, 2007

One of the greatest fantasy scores EVER

I am a huge fan of orchestrated scores and this is by far one of my favorites. I can say, with confidence that this is one of John Williams' greatest scores. If *ahem* excuse me, WHEN they make a live action movie of The Legend of Zelda, this is the kind of music I expect to hear on the soundtrack.

However, if you can, try to get your hands on the two or three disc versions. December 14, 2006

Williams at his best

This is undoubtly one of the most beautiful soundtracks I have ever heard. Hook is my favourite movie and the soundtrack is one of the most listened CD's in my collection. I really love the songs "Remembering Childhood", "You Are The Pan" and "Farewell Neverland". Every time I listen to this soundtrack I remember the first time when I saw the movie, when I was 4 years old. I recommend this to all soundtrack lovers and Williams fans alike. October 18, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...