HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2014)

One of the most pleasant surprises in 2010 has to be John Powell’s score for How To Train Your Dragon. Who would have thought that a Dreamworks animation score could bring us soaring to such (pardon the pun here) great heights? Powell’s work earned him his first Academy Award nomination (he lost to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ The Social Network, shucks!), and countless glowing reviews from critics.

The English composer is back to score the sequel to the movie, and the 68 minute album is thrill to listen to. Kicking off the fun is “Dragon Racing”, which brings back familiar themes from the first soundtrack. If you’re a fan of cues like “Forbidden Friendship” and “Test Drive” from the first movie, this four minute track will impress you. “Together We Map The World” takes on a softer approach (probably some bonding between Hiccup and Toothless), before “Hiccup The Chief/ Drago’s Coming” brings up the adrenaline level. The choir is prominently featured in tracks like “Toothless Lost” and “Should I Know You”, adding a touch of grandiose to the music.    

Things chug along with following cues like “Losing Mom/ Meet The Good Alpha”, “Stoick Finds Beauty” and “Flying With Mother”, which occasionally weave in familiar themes from the first movie. You get the feeling of flying in the skies with the story’s protagonists, whilst the Celtic inspired orchestration ring through your ears.

This soundtrack’s highlight has to be the six minute “Battle Of The Bewilderbeast”. The thunderous action cue takes you on a enthralling adventure with its rich sound and grippingly riveting arrangement. The action continues with “Hiccup Confronts Drago”, before a bittersweet “Stoick Saves Hiccup” tries its best to move you with its tender melody. The score section of the soundtrack comes to a rousing close with “Toothless Found” and “Two New Alphas”, which also feature some affectionate moments. Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi also returns (he performed the end title track “Sticks and Stones” from the first soundtrack) to belt out “Where No One Goes”, a fitting conclusion to this highly recommended soundtrack album. 

ALBUM RATING:

 

Recommended Track: (12) Battle Of The Bewilderbeast

Review by John Li