> Well, I think that the movie was actually quite good, but the score is
> fantastic!
My favourite tracks are track 1, 8, and 9. The latter two
> are almost too beautifull to be described in words. I also think it gives
> you a completley different feel than many other of Williams`s scores. This
> isn`t the bombast of Star Wars or the humour of Hook. It`s a serious, sad,
> dark and very emotional experience, yet again proving how talented our
> maestro John Williams is.
In fact, when listening to this score, I
> find it so good that even think it could have replaced Howard Shore`s
> remarkable "Lord of The Rings" as the Academy Award winner of
> 2001.

I concur. I could delve into why I loved the movie with an angle I've yet to read by a reviewer (unless I've missed one!), rather, I'd agree the ST is absolutely stellar! It's a complete work. This body of music powerfully transports me, and when that experience is completed, I have the sense of having traveled somewhere significant; my heart is awakened. Like going on a road trip through my state of Alaska in the all-too-brief fall. Such a trip is melancholy for me, but such experiences broadens the heart/mind. There's joy in sorrow, and that dimension is powerfully captured both the movie and ST. Such qualities certainly aren't unique to AI, but it's always a rare and treasured occasion to add music of this type to enlarge ones collection.

(Am I alone in the practice of listening sparingly to something held in high esteem and with affection, so as to not "wear it out"? All that to say I place AI in the canon of exceptional STs and other symphonic works)

PS. I was, at first, dubious of the two obvious commercial insertions, but they too stand on their own. And, yes, Rings is a lush ST, but I too prefer AI. Since you ALSO rated Hook highly, I'd appreciate a listing of your favorites.