E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Special Edition

I cannot be even remotely unbiased when reviewing this score. To me, it is the best soundtrack of all time, everything about it is excellent. The actual music, the playing all of it is just faultless. The quiet cues are some of the most beautiful you are ever likely to hear on any soundtrack, coming from someone who likes loud and exciting music, I have to say that I will listen to all of the more subtle cues every time I can. They are as beautiful as Schindler's List (although a little more emotionally direct).Of course, the best comes near the end with the chase and departure sequence. The Chase (i.e. the bicycle chase) has to be my favourite section of film music of all time and this contains the only performance which is at the right speed, all others are too slow, but the absolutely racing tempo coupled with a very solid and beautiful by the orchestra makes this just heart stopping every time I hear it. Even after listening to it dozens of times, the departure still moves me as it builds to a stunning climax with trumpets ringing out like bells. After all that, there is the End Credits. I don't know how I could have lived without hearing this. A cross between the cues Flying and Over the Moon (from the original shorted release), this is a truly stunning climax to a truly exceptional score.