by Jeron on 8/15/2000
favorite track: 6
 
Lush. Thematic. Exciting. Epic. Magical. These are words that describe Mark McKenzie's score for the sequel, Dragonheart: A New Beginning.

In the grandiose style of Edelman's original score, Beginning still manages to remain original and separate from its predecessor. The themes developed are familiar, but new and fresh at the same time. The atmosphere McKenzie has created with this score is excellent and serves up a medieval, fantastical canvas of music that ranks among the favorites.

For those of you fond of Edelman's signature "Dragonheart" theme, you will enjoy McKenzie's re-orchestrated take, as the theme surfaces in a variety of ways through the score. Edelman pretty much nailed it the first time, though McKenzie's interpretation is excellent and just as good as the first. Very well done.

I won't do a track by track review, simply because I couldn't do it justice. This is a score that needs to be heard, not read. It's definitely a fun dose of new and familiar material - and as many of us had hoped, there's a great deal of heroic, magical, and exciting music to be found in McKenzie's score. With a film such as this, how could a composer write out anything else?

If you are a fan of Edelman's score, get it. If you are a fan of McKenzie's music, it's a must. And gosh darn it, if you are a film music freak, this score clearly defines why we love film music as we do.