Finding Nemo

I haven't seen this movie yet (though I'm eager to), but even without the watered visuals in my head, this is a great score, both inventive and lively. Animated films can have scores that rival (and surpass) the scores for live-action films. (Look at the recent Spirited Away.) And Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo is one of them. There are forty tracks here. Most of them are short and sweet, but together they make for a few seconds over a full hour of music. That's a good deal. There are no huge, sweeping themes (like the Fellowship or Rohan themes in the Lord of the Rings scores), but simple, soft (and loud) cues spread throughout. Nemo's theme is a gentle piano piece (Nemo Egg). The sea turtle theme is rousing brass, which segues into an electric guitar, actually (The Turtle Lope). The Sydney theme is short but hopeful (Sydney Harbour), and some tracks make the music almost sound like the ebb and flow, the vastness and the life, of the ocean (Wow, First Day, Field Trip). It all provides...Read more

When I first saw "Finding Nemo" in the theatre, I wasn't yet aware just who had composed the score for the film. However, it became clear to me in the first few scenes that nobody other than Thomas Newman could have created those lush string arrangements and soft piano solos... and I couldn't have been more delighted.

Thomas Newman has quickly become a favorite of mine over the past few years. His scores are highly original, and despite the fact that he composes a wide range of music for many different types of films, his style is very quickly recognizable. He always suits his music to the subject matter of the film, a choice which works perfectly for "Finding Nemo."

Throughout the film, Newman's music evokes the feeling of the ocean. There is a depth to it, a vast expansiveness that accentuates the physical presence of the water of the sea. Soft, muted piano movements and strong brass themes, all layered over a rich background of strings throughout. Simply put, it's beautiful...Read more

From the first bars of "Wow" (the first track) Thomas Newman immediately makes you feel as though you're in an underwater world. This carries over into the main title piece "Nemo Egg (Main Title)," very delicate with piano as the main instrument. Newman has sprinkled the soundtrack with many other styels and themes that evoke scenes from the movie as well, such as "Mt. Wannahockaloogie" when Nemo sees the fish tank volcano for the first time, and "Sydney Harbour" which changes the tone from underwater to the hustle and bustle feel of human city life. Robbie Williams also does a great job with the pop standard "Beyond the Sea" giving it just the right swing feel.

It is a good album, and the music flows seamlessly from one track to the other. But, good as it is, the music tends to work better in context with the movie. Get this album if you are a Thomas Newman or a Disney Fan.