Dinotopia

In 2002 the popular book series Dinotopia was brought to the small screen as a television mini-series, which eventually later branched out as a tv series. The serie's story revolves around two brothers who, after running into a freak storm aboard a private airplane and losing their dad, end up permanently stranded on an island where the dinosaurs not only walk around but actually talk as well. Dinotopia was marked with great acting, fairly good effects for a tv movie, a 6+ hour running time, and a beautiful musical score to boot. The music was provided by talented yet underused composer Trevor Jones.

The musical style of Dinotopia is impressive in itself. Trevor Jones channels the beauty and skill of James Horner and the action/adventure of David Arnold throughout the album. 'Dinotopia Main Theme' actually does sound fairly similar to Arnold's Stargate theme. Jones manages to innovatively incorporate the theme throughout the album, occasionally hinted at in variations but primarily heard in 'The Codes of Dinotopia' and 'Ceremony of the Sunstones.' Alot of the music heard in Dinotopia is simply beautiful. Be it the quirky rtyhms in 'Chandara Bus Station, the soft 'Acadamy for Young Mammals', the orchestral 'Letters from Matriarch', or the explosive thrills in 'Skybax Dawn Flight.' Jones doesn't hide his dark side, however, and manages to use more intense percussive themes or brooding brass in 'T-Rex Attacks', 'Swampland Mosasaurs', and 'Pteranadons'.

Dinotopia is an all around powerful album. The main theme is very strong and even more memorable. The orchestral music throughout the score all sounds very good and at 60 minutes, this album definitely is a treat. Unfortunately the album itself is very rare now (running on eBay at $100) and there still hasn't been any word on an expanded release. Otherwise, definitely one to add to the collection.