Les Miserables: Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack Review

Does this first musical release from the hit film adaptation impress?
Movie soundtracks are a tricky thing to master, especially when their releases come straight adjacent to the films themselves- how can a promotional team offer a select set of memorable tracks from the respective flick without giving away the whole two-hour running time before the DVD and Blu-Ray retail product arrives? That's clearly been a point of interest in terms of the Les Miserables movie soundtrack, which has been rightly titled Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack as it omits a few of the lesser-known tracks which make up the hefty blockbuster take on Victor Hugo's novel and the West End show.

For this new type of review, then, I'll be looking at each of the individual tracks listed on the album, marking the highlights and lowlights among them. Afterwards, I'll provide the final verdict on the CD and digital download with a round-up and score. Without further ado, let's begin...
LOOK DOWN- A grandiose opening spectacle, this first track shows off the vivid tenacity viewers witness between Hugh Jackman's Valjean and Russell Crowe's Javert.
THE BISHOP- This successor is an odd inclusion, make no doubt, as the Bishop's warm closing speech makes little sense out of narrative context.
VALJEAN'S SOLILOQUY- Hugh Jackman displays a strong voice and depth to his Valjean here, in a haunting piece which culminates in an electric vigour.
AT THE END OF THE DAY- A classic in its own right, End Of The Day again feels odd without visual context, but still works elegantly as a dark social, satirical piece of music.
I DREAMED A DREAM- Anne Hathaway's take on this legendary melody is every bit as iconic as her West End predecessors and indeed Susan Boyle. You'll never forget this track!
THE CONFRONTATION- Again, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman master the attention of their viewers in this sequence, and the melodic setpiece is represented in strong fashion even without its visualisation.
CASTLE ON A CLOUD- Isabelle Alan was a beautiful and well-cast young Cosette in the film, and her brief-yet-significant Castle On A Cloud is as haunting as it ever was on screen.
MASTER OF THE HOUSE- Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter dominated the funny bones of viewers across the world, and rightly so- this rousing rendition remains a downright hilarious listen.
SUDDENLY- This track has been nominated for an Academy Award, and you'll see why from the moment it clicks onto your MP3 player. Dazzling stuff.
STARS- Russell Crowe gets his own soliloquy in this track, and for me it remains one of the defining highlights of this Highlights album.
RED AND BLACK- The prelude to the big Battle, Red And Black provides some great tension ahead of the larger conflict, especially with Eddie Redmayne getting a long solo section to boot.
IN MY LIFE/A HEART FULL OF LOVE- Another Redmayne-heavy tune, this time coupled with the glorious Samantha Barks and dazzling Amanda Seyfried's musical tones too, in a beautiful composition.
ON MY OWN- Samantha Barks has been cruelly overlooked in many Best Supporting Actress awards nomination shortlists, yet we can 'forgive' that just by remembering her portrayal ourselves with this iconic highlight from the album.
ONE DAY MORE- In my opinion, this is undoubtedly the best track you'll find in this compilation. A breathtaking and rousing centrepiece from the insanely talented ensemble that you won't want to miss...
DRINK WITH ME- Perhaps one of the only less memorable tracks of this set, Drink With Me is a decent but short number that serves as a minor prelude to the big finale ahead.
BRING HIM HOME- Hugh Jackman makes up for the last track's non-entity status with an extremely memorable rendition of this tear-jerking melancholic piece.
THE FINAL BATTLE- Again, little actually happens in this track, and the omission of Barks' Just A Drop Of Rain here feels criminal with hindsight, but it's decent enough in this form.
JAVERT'S SUICIDE- Another fantastic rendition from Russell Crowe, who's suffered the unjustified brunt of vocal criticism from reviewers when he can really show off his talents as he does frequently in the movie.
EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES- A melancholic listen, yet one which perhaps doesn't quite do the song as much justice as some might wager it deserves.
EPILOGUE- Epilogue is a big highlight for the album, combining Jackman's heartbreaking final scene with the rousing rendition of Can You Hear The People Sing? that everyone's been waiting for!

Overall, Les Miserables: Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack is a stunning compilation of some of the masterful movie's best moments. Sure, it feels as if the omission of Just A Drop Of Rain and the fully-fledged version of Can You Hear The People Sing? gives the impression that an extended version of the CD will arrive with the DVD and Blu-Ray, but that doesn't stop this version being totally worth your cash.
5/5