For the critical mauling it has received, Dreamcatcher is a curiously well made film, high on good actors (Morgan Freeman), good source material (Stephen King) and a good director and writer (Lawrence Kasdan), but evidently pulp horror is difficult to make transcend its origins, no matter how good the talent. Maybe it was an attempt to improve the credentials of the enterprise by hiring James Newton Howard who did such a good job with The Sixth Sense and Signs. The producers clearly thought he'd provide a sophisticated edge to their horror flick. Howard is certainly the kind of composer who rarely disappoints in underscore terms, but unlike most of his recent efforts, Dreamcatcher isn't nearly so interesting on CD.

I noted in my review of Alan Silvestri's score to Identity that even good composers can become sucked into following the current trend and Howard seems to have fallen into the modern horror score mixture of suspenseful doodling and orchestral jolts. One of the most curious elements is the Main Title, something of an updated take on John Carpenter's inane Halloween theme, but with a bit of contemporary percussion thrown in for good measure. The middle of the album shows a notable increase in quality as the horror gives way to some terrific action in The Weasel and a few exciting, orchestral led moments during The Debate and Henry Returns to the Cabin. However, even these tracks have meandering suspense in between them, so you're left with a handful of great moments, thoughtfully dispersed in amongst music that barely registers.

I'm not sure if a score with a split between great and terrible is more or less difficult to recommend than one which is average, but of even quality. If you have patience to wait for the good moments, Howard doesn't disappoint - he's a better composer than to allow the entire time to go by fruitlessly. However, since a substantial portion could be from any routine, modern horror score, the overall result is disappointing. Not a total washout by any means, but Howard has done better.

Rating ~

  1. Main Titles (2:46)
  2. Finding Rick (1:48)
  3. Animal Exodus (3:45)
  4. Becky Bleeds (1:15)
  5. The Weasel (5:44)
  6. The Debate (4:11)
  7. Henry Returns to the Cabin (4:22)
  8. What Are You Up To? (2:09)
  9. Henry Meets His Own (2:52)
  10. 1-800-Henry (2:08)
  11. Curtis and Own Battle (2:55)
  12. Duddits Warns Henry (3:27)
  13. Pete and Trish (2:15)
Total Time ~ 39:41