King Kong
So what do I think about the music to Kong? Well, I am a little bit mixed on that question, though I do admit that the film definitely finishes strong (depending).
King Kong Music Review
Before I begin my review of the soundtrack for King Kong let's take a look at the tracks and how often I played each one.
King Kong (6)
A Fateful Meeting (6)
Defeat is Always Momentary (3)
It's In the Subtext (3)
Two Grand (3)
The Venture Departs (13)
Last Blank Space on the Map (13)
It's Deserted (9)
Something Monstrous... Neither Beast nor Man (9)
Head Towards the Animals (9)
Beautiful (12)
Tooth and Claw (12)
That's All there Is... (12)
Captured (18)
Central Park (32)
The Empire State Building (50)
Beauty Killed the Beast - I (47)
Beauty Killed the Beast - II (39)
Beauty Killed the Beast - III (33)
Beauty Killed the Beast - IV (28)
Beauty Killed the Beast - V (19)
Can you spot my favorites?
Buy the soundtrack at Amazon.
Segment 1- New York
I would include the first six tracks of King Kong to fit into this segment. The opening track, 'King Kong', shows the darker tones and sets up the fact that
this film will play on a creature who is now doomed by fate. The four tracks after this are somewhat of an awkward mix that has me questioning why we would need such loud music while jaunting around New York. Just like the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, James Newton Howard only touches on the overall musical theme during these opening tracks; with slight hints here and there (also introduces the piano). This theme later comes more pronounced in the final segment of the soundtrack.
The first segment finds a transition into the second with 'The Venture Departs', which plays homage to both the earlier and later tracks. The music begins to slow down after this track except for the most suspenseful of scenes.
Personally, the first segment just didn't cut it for me and was relieved by the transition into the second segment.
Segment 2- The Voyage/Skull Island
This segment holds the middle eight tracks from 'Last Blank Space on the Map' to 'Captured'. For this segment James Newton Howard loves using the brass with string accompaniment. However, even with the brass taking the forefront, the music here has got some strong melodies that smoothly shift into different emotions; from suspense to emotional. Since I am more of a fan of the tracks that feature the piano, woodwinds and strings, 'Beautiful' is probably my favorite among the bunch. However, all of these tracks are great and definitely deserve to be played on a repeat basis.
'Captured' is a perfect transition from Segment 2 of the film into Segment 3. The track begins with hard-pounding suspense and eventually becomes more attuned to the main theme of the film by the end of its run. The track is great and a solid indicator of the final segment to come.
The second segment serves as a solid warmup to the final segment and can satisfy any fan of soundtrack/classical music.
Segment 3- I Give You Kong
Easily my favorite segment of the bunch and a solid indicator that King Kong is going to be one emotional film. Through the use of light strings and piano, James Newton Howard creates seven incredibly emotional tracks that should have moviegoers reaching for their tissues. This segment goes from the track 'Central Park' to 'Beauty Killed the Beast- V'.
'Central Park' shows off a piano melody, a melody that comes back later, and is the first track that completely slows down the overall tone to the soundtrack. Then steps in 'The Empire State Building' which plays upon an emotional theme that has only been hinted on in previous tracks; this track is freakin' solid!
All of the 'Beauty Killed the Beast' tracks are incredible as well, but I am curious about the titles. Can we expect all of these tracks to appear in Kong Kong or are they there for the amusement of the soundtrack? If some of the tracks don't exist in the film, how much of the last hour will actually feature music? Anywho, great tracks and I do hope to hear them while sitting in theatres.
When the soundtrack for King Kong started out there was a second or two when I could tell that James Newton Howard was a last second replacement with very little time to complete the King Kong score. Fortunately, James Newton Howard quickly finds his bearings by the second segment and delivers one hell of a soundtrack that finishes unbelievably strong.
Score:  
King Kong comes to theatres on December 14th, 2005.
For the trailers, TV spots, early reviews, movie stills, clips, concept art, and synopsis, go to
the King Kong Movie
Page
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