Primal Fear
James Newton Howard
" An average courtroom score, nothing more "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Primal Fear is one of those unlikely candidates for an expanded remastered treatment. But it got one anyway. Courtesy of La La Land. Not that they made a mistake with this one, but I'm betting this will not be a highroller. Because the expanded music is not better than what was already released. I mean this is hardly the better James Newton Howard score out there. Decent and effective yes, carrying a certain class courtesy of those horn solos or occasional piano play. But again this doesn't wow me and it definitely doesn't invite me to listen to it again. For that it lacks an interesting selection. Strange considering it received an expanded treatment over efforts such as The Postman or Waterworld. Ah how the wonders work of labels and their selection. James Newton Howard fans aside who want everything of him, I'm guessing there are better scores out there ladies and gentlemen. Despite the (again) effective score it will provide for the film.
The horn solos do deliver the most interesting classy sound of the score.
At times it reminds me of The Fugitive, which is not a bad thing (though lacking the theme and action of that score).
Courtroom drama's rarely deliver, Primal Fear is no different.
Many short tracks rarely amount up to something.
The longest track (2.50) "Chasing Alex" (bonus cues not accounted for) is even the worst, harsh electronic music which doesn't sound inviting whatsoever.
Unreleased cues bring virtually nothing new to this score.
Primal Fear (1996 release) **12
Primal Fear (2016 release) **12
Track List
1. The Murder Scene * (film version) (2.46)
2. Under the Tracks (1.12)
3. Martin Meets Aaron (1.18)
4. Martin Reviews Crime Scene * (film mix) (1.54)
5. Don't Smile (1.22)
6. Molly's Interview (1.04)
7. Dinner With Shaughnessy (1.05)
8. Courtroom Montage (2.14)
9. Roy Appears * (film version) (1.37)
10. Chasing Alex (2.50)
11. Switching Videos (2.19)
12. Marty Meets Roy * (1.47)
13. Got an Aspirin? (1.08)
14. Martin's Philosophy * (0.31)
15. Janet Finds Video (1.09)
16. Roy's Freeze Frame (1.02)
17. Aaron on Stand * (film version) (1.14)
18. Roy Appears in Court * (1.18)
19. Restraining Roy * (0.43)
20. I'm Arrogant (1.26)
21. What Did You Say? (1.56)
22. Love Hurts (1.39)
Bonus Tracks
23. Opening * (unused) (0.28)
24. Dinner With Shaughnessy * (alternate) (1.06)
25. Courtroom Montage * (alternate) (2.16)
26. Chasing Alex * (alternate) (2.27)
27. Martin’s Philosophy * (alternate) (0.25)
28. Aaron on Stand (alternate) (1.14)
29. Roy Appears in Court * (alternate) (1.20)
30. Restraining Roy * (alternate) (0.42)
31. What Did You Say? * (alternate) (0.57)
32. Love Hurts * (alternate) (1.39)
33. The Murder Scene (album mix) (2.41)
34. Martin Reviews Crime Scene (album mix) (1.53)
35. Courtroom Montage (album mix) (2.14)
36. Roy Appears (album mix) (1.39)
37. "Introitus: Cibavit Eos" from Mass for Four Voices + (3.37)
38. "Lacrimosa" from Requiem ++ (3.20)
39. The Murder Scene * (mock-up) (2.50)
40. Love Hurts * (mock-up) (1.34)
* Previously unreleased
+ Performed by The Christ Church Cathedral Choir
++ Performed by Wiener Sängerknaben
Total Length: 62.19
The horn solos do deliver the most interesting classy sound of the score.
At times it reminds me of The Fugitive, which is not a bad thing (though lacking the theme and action of that score).
Courtroom drama's rarely deliver, Primal Fear is no different.
Many short tracks rarely amount up to something.
The longest track (2.50) "Chasing Alex" (bonus cues not accounted for) is even the worst, harsh electronic music which doesn't sound inviting whatsoever.
Unreleased cues bring virtually nothing new to this score.
Primal Fear (1996 release) **12
Primal Fear (2016 release) **12
Track List
1. The Murder Scene * (film version) (2.46)
2. Under the Tracks (1.12)
3. Martin Meets Aaron (1.18)
4. Martin Reviews Crime Scene * (film mix) (1.54)
5. Don't Smile (1.22)
6. Molly's Interview (1.04)
7. Dinner With Shaughnessy (1.05)
8. Courtroom Montage (2.14)
9. Roy Appears * (film version) (1.37)
10. Chasing Alex (2.50)
11. Switching Videos (2.19)
12. Marty Meets Roy * (1.47)
13. Got an Aspirin? (1.08)
14. Martin's Philosophy * (0.31)
15. Janet Finds Video (1.09)
16. Roy's Freeze Frame (1.02)
17. Aaron on Stand * (film version) (1.14)
18. Roy Appears in Court * (1.18)
19. Restraining Roy * (0.43)
20. I'm Arrogant (1.26)
21. What Did You Say? (1.56)
22. Love Hurts (1.39)
Bonus Tracks
23. Opening * (unused) (0.28)
24. Dinner With Shaughnessy * (alternate) (1.06)
25. Courtroom Montage * (alternate) (2.16)
26. Chasing Alex * (alternate) (2.27)
27. Martin’s Philosophy * (alternate) (0.25)
28. Aaron on Stand (alternate) (1.14)
29. Roy Appears in Court * (alternate) (1.20)
30. Restraining Roy * (alternate) (0.42)
31. What Did You Say? * (alternate) (0.57)
32. Love Hurts * (alternate) (1.39)
33. The Murder Scene (album mix) (2.41)
34. Martin Reviews Crime Scene (album mix) (1.53)
35. Courtroom Montage (album mix) (2.14)
36. Roy Appears (album mix) (1.39)
37. "Introitus: Cibavit Eos" from Mass for Four Voices + (3.37)
38. "Lacrimosa" from Requiem ++ (3.20)
39. The Murder Scene * (mock-up) (2.50)
40. Love Hurts * (mock-up) (1.34)
* Previously unreleased
+ Performed by The Christ Church Cathedral Choir
++ Performed by Wiener Sängerknaben
Total Length: 62.19