Look Down - A lovely opening. Nice sound effects really set the scene. We can really hear the hardship Jean Valjean is going through which I think is the whole premise of the scene. This is my favourite Russel Crowe performance of the soundtrack.
The Bishop. I love Colm Wilkinson being involved in this and I think he makes a great bishop. Tom Hooper does great to mar old and new casts.
Valjean’s Soliloquy - Hugh Jackman is good at doing urgency in his voice and then on the other hand, keeps the hurt and pain in his words. We see Valjean's inner struggle here. I love Jackman's voice when the song reaches "take and eye for an eye...." part and also when his voices appears to break. This isn't smelting that couldn't have been captured very well in studio in my opinion. Live recording all the way from a tone point of view.
At the End of the Day - This is far slower then I thought it would have been but perhaps Hooper's trying to capture the energy of the factory and it's workers. When you're working in such desolate environment you're hardly going to be chirpy and full of energy. Maybe I'm just too conditioned to the stage version anyways
I Dreamed a Dream - Many reviews are stating that one should watch out for Anne Hataways performance of this and I can see why. She has a beautiful voice. It's raw but I think that best captures the pureness of the situation she finds herself in. She's desolate and at the end of her tether and this song really captures that. It's gut-wrenching. I still prefer Lea Salonga version though....
The Confrontation - Hugh and Russel's voices strangely mix well in an odd rough and ready sorta way. I love the live version they did (that can be seen on Youtube...)
Castle on a Cloud - Isabella has such a cute voice and she's going to be a future star no doubt. I love the little whispered part. It's fitting to her own little imaginary world.
Master of the House - This will always be one of my favorite songs from Les Mis because it's such a contrast to the rest of them. It's once again slower then one may be used to but I like it. One thing I don't get is the faux French accent Sacha Baron Cohen is rocking midway through.... it he mocking the utter class or trying to be funny when he's not? I don't know.
Suddenly - Diehard you'haven't-seen-les-mis-700-times-and-you-dont-know-every-actor-in-it-ever-so-you're-not-a-fan fans have been complaining about this being included but I really love it. It's simple and shows Valjean in a different light. He's shown not as the strong, fearless man as usually but as someone who loves and wants to be loved. It's cute.
Stars - I don't know what I can say about this. It's nice, not great but nice. I've always loved the lyrics of this though. There's one high note in this that when I re-listened, I kinda cringed but other then that, not too shabby.
ABC Cafe / Red And Black One question... where's the rest of it? I adore the choppy intro when Enjoras is dishing out orders but it seems I don't share the same ideas as the Les Mis musical directors/Tom Hooper. They've also cut the famous "Grantaire put that bottle down" CRIES Other then those little tippits, Aaron Tevit makes a powerful Enjoras and I love, love, love George Blagden's voice. For once someone actually pronounced OPERA as op-ear-ra. Bravo
. In My Life / A Heart Full of Love - I adore Amanda Seyfried,'s voice. Simples. Her and Eddie Redmayne's suit each others voices to a t.
On My Own - Samantha Banks once again performs this flawlessly. She has such an amazing quality and clarity to her voice. I really want to see her as Nancy in Oliver....
. One Day More - I've always love the over-lapping of different voices in this and this doesn't disappoint. There's a few changes in lyrics too which causght me off guard when I was having a sing-along.... oh well
Drink With Me. Oh my poor emotions by this point are in pieces. When I hear this song in the cinema, may cry my eyes out because it's heartbreaking My pain is not eased by the fact that little Gavroche harmonizes with the ABC boys. Kinda makes his demise seem a little more devastating. Oddly, I love how Eddie says Courfeyrac at the beginning.
Bring HIm Home - Hugh Jackman;s voice is surprisingly strong here and I would almost say at it's peek in the entire soundtrack. He captures the emotion well and we can tell he's hurting. This song is meant to be a plea and Jackman does that with great truth and honesty.
The Final Battle - This has somewhat become a game of "Find Hadley Frasier's voice" I love the score here especially the starting piece. It's omniscient an dI can tell pared with the film, it's going to be great at building the final battle. Nicely scored Mr Hooper (especially the strings!)
Javert’s Suicide - Well we weren't expecting a fluid performance from Russel Crowe and we didn't get one but it's better then I expected. I've heard worse versions and he does succeed in capturing the power of his thoughts. The menacing end is great though and I like it's build.
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables If I weren't currently snuggled beneath my snuggie, I'd probably be in the floor bawling after this. Every-time I think of this I think of all the poor les amies and that damned battle that killed them all so young. Marius seems so guilty which is the point of the song but... Eddie does the guilty very well in his voice. i think a montage would be great at this point in the film or even fading shots of the ABCs but hey, it's not my film.
Epilogue Having recovered from my heartbreak (just) and I once again struck into sadden horror as poor Valjean battles for his life. Revelations and goodbyes lead into the beautifully done ending. I just love hearing everyone sing together. That many voices singing Do You Heat the People Sing creates a bone shaking choral effect which is both eerie and beautiful. If done right, I don't expect many dry eyes in the theater after this. Again superb performances. Probably my favorite track altogether.
Well, c'est tout! I'm a little begrudged that Eponine's death is left of the soundtrack. A Little Fall of Rain is such a beautiful song but they only have so much space to fill.... maybe they should have done a deluxe edition. Other then that I think it's really well done and it only makes me more excited to see the film. I am shocked but it's quality too and how clear each song is. For something recorded with live mics (which I know none to well are temperamental things) it's suprisingly clear and noise free. kudos sound people! I'm actually going at 9am on the morning of hte 11th if I have to (and I'm not working), I'm THAT eager to see it.
What's your favourite song from the soundtrack? What's your favorite film soundtrack ever?
Orla xo
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