Stargate
The deluxe edition

Stargate was one of David Arnold's first big scores, and it is, in my opinion, also one of his best efforts to date. Fans of Arnold's music for Independence Day will definitely take this score to their hearts. Although, while ID 4 was almost disturbingly patriotic at times, Stargate is a more traditional adventure score. But, still the music has that genuine Arnold sound - big orchestra, with powerful brass, percussion, and full choir.

The main theme, presented in "Stargate Overture" - one of the score's many highlights - is a superb, powerful, and very lyrical and melodic, piece, performed by the whole orchestra and the choir. The entire score is very thematic. Arnold works the different themes into almost every cue. Since the film is based on ancient Egyptian mythology, Arnold's score sometimes has a rather ethnic, quasi Egyptian - or Arabian - sound, which actually makes the score very enjoyable.

In short, the score for Stargate is a real gem, with some real exciting adventure and action music, as well as more emotional parts, making this soundtrack a must have for any real fan of good orchestral music. And the film is pretty good, too...