Les Misérables OST Review

Les Misérables (usually pron.: Ler - Mize - Rab) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. In the English-speaking world the novel is usually referred to by its original French title, which can be translated from the French as The Miserable, or The Wretched.

Not gonna talk about the story as this is one of the greatest musical ever lived on Broadway. So, I still haven't got the chance to watch the movie yet. But I bought the Original Soundtrack on iTunes today. Been putting it on loop mode. So I think I kinda get what Dumdum was trying to say about the movie. I am not gonna jump into conclusion just yet till I watch the movie. 

So far, I gotta applaud to the director Tom Hooper. The idea to capture the actors singing live with the emotions is pure genius. So far, from what I listen it is pretty good. I guess the showstopper would be Anne Hathaway's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream". Anne Hathaway was so good- had me tearing up. Oscar worthy performance for sure! The arrangements were amazing. Love the use of harp instead of usual xylophone and glockenspiel. The strings was just perfectly wonderful. The scores didn't really went overboard with the grandeur of it. I think it is genius not to over kill this song with the arrangement. She really carried this song painfully with grace. Brava! Brava!

Those raw and real moments when characters broke down or were expressing the ugliness of the human condition were superb. However, My personal opinion: there were times when the vocals weren't able to convey the power, beauty and grace that the score ALSO calls for. In most of the tracks, I felt that many of it were trying to make it up to the live recording from the actors. And somehow it really didn't really blend in to the songs. I guess I'm a purist for the original LIVE broadway recording when the actors sang the fuck outta those songs. JUST an opinion.

In my OPINION, the score suffered massively with great actors pretending to be singers. It's an opera. Hollywoods movie musicals treat the singing as the last priority. (Dreamgirls was good) And I do think it was cool they were singing live- but with that cast, they should have studio recorded and sweetened the vocals. The industry will say "these actors were so brave to attempt singing this score live"but why not cast actors who could actually sound good?

Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Enjolras were the exceptions for me. Helena B Carter and Sasha B Cohen were great too. Samantha Barks sounded alright but I still love how she carries "On My Own" during the anniversary concert. That was superb! Amanda Seyfried sounded beautiful. Credits should be given to her. I felt her voice mature over the time since Mamma Mia. Good job on that. She voice just goes perfectly with the arrangements.

I think it usually happens when the scores are going to the grandeur part usually that kills it. But yet, I have to consider the cinematography effects that is needed in the movie. So far from what I listen from the OST, "I Dreamed A Dream" was phenomenal. Some tracks didn't really get to me in general. Russel Crowe, ummm.. Not gonna say anything. I guess you guys could read those in the movie review all over the net. But yet, I am still anticipating to watch this movie. By far, I find Moulin Rouge, Dream Girls and Chicago are my top picks in these recent years. Will Les Mis be my top 3? Lets see after I watch the movie! The four amazing words that always ink in my heart since I watch Les Mis on Broadway - 

Fight   Dream   Love   Hope