Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

This is a fabulous film soundtrack. I love James Newton Howard's other music for films like ''The Last Airbender'' and "Maleficent'", and it actually also makes sense to get the "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" soundtrack first, before the "Harry Potter" ones, since the story is set in the 1920's around which the music fits with a refreshingly different, and much more adult tone, like with "The Blind Pig" as performed by Emmi on Disc 2 which sounds wonderfully sultry given it's done in an American speakeasy club in the film, but which would not have sounded right on a "Harry Potter" soundtrack given the more childlike/adolescent vibes in those stories. Now onto the music! The "Main Titles" and "End Titles" are literally fantastic; there's a really wild note running through both of these tracks to illustrate the wild personalities of the beasts as well as Newt Scamander's own daring to bring a suitcase that's full of them into New York. It's also wonderful that some tracks contain separately titled pieces of music which all flow into each other to form one sequence, such as Track 2. "There Are Witches Among Us/The Bank/The Niffler", Track 3. "Tina Takes Newt In/Macusa Headquarters", Track 4."Pie or Strudel/Escaping Queenie and Tina's Place", Track 9."Tina and Newt Trial/Let's Get The Good Stuff Out/You're One Of Us Now/Swooping Evil", Track 13. "The Obscurus/Rooftop Chase" and Track 15. "Relieve Him Of His Wand/Newt Releases The Thunderbird/Jacob's Farewell". Of all of these, I particularly like Track 3., the music for "Macusa Headquarters" gives off a real sound of power and authority, just like "The Ministry Of Magic" on "The Order Of The Phoenix" Soundtrack, and both Tracks 9 and 15 pack an awesome punch with the longest running pieces of simply stunning music; Track 9 is quite wonderfully creepy and Track 15 is both epic and heartbreaking - I just love Jacob! I just love Track 11. "The Demiguise and The Occamy", because after most of the serious sounding music it contains a beautifully sparkly, mystical tone, especially given that the two creatures in the title are quite mystical since the Demiguise can turn invisible and the Occamy can change it's size. I think it's also one of the most magical sounding pieces of music here that even hints at the fact that the Demiguise and the Occamy both come from Far Eastern countries. It might only be me, but I just find Track 7. "The Erumpent" hilarious. Again, just like Track 11., it's got a steadfast sparkly note, except it also sounds a little sensual, which, considering that Newt literally covers himself with the scent of a male Erumpent and pretends to be one to satisfy (and trick) the beast in the film, is just bizarre. I know this was made up, but it's simply because it's so bizarre and the music reminds me of it that I end up laughing. It's just a weird scene. I hope he doesn't do anything like this again in another film. Track 12. "A Close Friend" is another of my favourites. The gentle notes just make it sound so touching, and it's particularly lovely that James Newton Howard didn't try to make it sound all macho since that just isn't Newt or Jacob's personality, or even every individual man's personality either. It really is testament to their similarly soft mannerisms which are in no way weird to see in a man in general, and their friendship. Newt isn't a typical hero in the way Harry Potter is, and Jacob isn't an overexcited geek like Colin Creevey. The music really illustrates just how deep their friendship goes. It's also nailed even harder at the end of Track 15. in "Jacob's Farewell" and as beautiful as the music sounds, it is also utterly sad; Jacob actually managed to acquire what he lacked as a Muggle/No-Maj among so many; a truly magical friend in Newt and a possible partner in Queenie and yet still had to say goodbye. It'll be lovely to get more music focusing on him on the next "Fantastic Beasts" Soundtrack. The Bonus Tracks over on Disc 2, including "The Blind Pig" which I've already covered, are also fantastic. It starts with Track 1."A Man and His Beasts" which, just like the "Main Titles" and the "End Titles" contains a wonderfully wild note. Track 2. "Soup and Leaflets" explains itself; it covers exactly what Mary Lou Barebone is about in the charitable sense, as well as Track 5. "I'm Not Your Ma" which calls to mind the scene in which she snaps Modesty's toy wand and reveals her cold disapproval towards Credence and Modesty for wanting to be the magical people she is so determined to destroy; which is worse; Mary Lou Barebone, or the Dursleys? At least the Dursleys find and later know that they can't destroy Harry and don't go out on protest about witches or wizards either; maybe Dumbledore foresaw that they would probably be tempted to do so and the possible charm he may have placed on his letter to them prevented them from doing this, therefore saving Harry from being made a public disgrace and a sitting duck for Voldemort in Surrey. Mary Lou Barebone is much more detrimental to many more magical people throughout America, and means to be, and it's not difficult to visualize her at the head of a No-Maj army. Track 9., the "Kowalski Rag" is also cool since it continues the overall, old fashioned charm that defines Jacob Kowalski from "Jacob's Bakery" in Track 16. on Disc 1 as well as his own desire to make edible magic. I know another reviewer has said that they don't like the CD packaging, but I'll agree to disagree. I think it's really cool. It's a gorgeous, dark brown in colour with gold detailing, both on the outside and inside, and the text on the back is also gold. The front cover with all four main characters on it is beautiful; Newt and Tina look great in their trench coats, while Jacob looks as serious as Tina and Queenie stands out as a vision in dusky pink. The main title is a stunning gunmetal silver. The images inside are also very bright and vivid. Also, when you take each of the CDs out, there are some cool looking, golden codes. The little digital leaflet is hidden behind the Macusa badge in a nifty square pocket, and it contains more images from the film. All in all, this "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" Deluxe Edition Soundtrack really is every bit as deluxe as the title suggests (which is perfect for film soundtrack collectors) and James Newton Howard was a fine choice of a composer for it; he makes a great difference to all of the "Harry Potter" composers, even while including John Williams's "Hedwig's Theme" in a couple of tracks to add a little childlike magic.The delivery was excellent and I received this item in very good time and condition. I'm very happy with it.

A work of genius. I love this. Enough riffs taken from the original Harry Potter theme to create the link but these pieces are so much more than that. Some really superb lyrical music here. It is a soundtrack that works beautifully with the film but also stands up on its own. Music which links with the magical word and 1920s New York. The jazz age has been reborn. "Blind Pig" is the only song but what a good one it is. The journey to work has been fun with this playing.

This soundtrack is a warm welcome back to Harry Potter and the Wizarding World. From the very first moment you hear the start of this new soundtrack it's as if you're back in familiar surroundings. Each track seems to echo and resonate old themes from each of the previous soundtracks and their composers and yet it feels more unique in a way. It's a wonderful addition the the Harry Potter universe and once again a great soundtrack from Mr Howard.

This double cd version has the film tracks which are less likely to flow with the musical story on the separate cd. So, you will discover Blind Pig and other such delights after wondering where it was on the main track. Listening to this film score without pictures is another adventure altogether. Try it and hear.

Nice sound track but not as good as John Williams Harry Potter OST. Still lovely to listen to.

A great soundtrack. So nice to hear the opening Hedwig's theme grafted onto the beginning of the soundtrack. It lets you know that this is indeed a magical soundtrack. Nicely arranged and uplifting in places, this is a great addition to the musical aspect of the wizarding world.

A dynamic and melodic score - I like this a lot. Play it in the car with the volume way up.

Nice to listen too, and easy to remind you of the film.