When it was announced that 3-time Academy Award winner Howard Shore would reprise his role as the composer for Jacksons vision of Middle-earth, having composed the scores for all 3 of the original trilogy films, Lord of the Rings fans and music lovers the world over rejoiced. But as Thorin Oakenshield might ask- what of it? Well ladies and gentlemen, the score is a triumph. Shore does not venture too far from the paths he tread 10 years ago, again weaving the films vivid and rich musical tapestry from threads and strands invoking innocence, excitement and wonder. There are more playful undertones infused at times though (Blunt the Knives for example), as befits the spirit of the party of dwarves and their soon-to-be intrepid hobbit companion early in the movie. Yes, there are many returning themes from the original trilogy- during the Shire, Rivendell and the eagles scenes for instance- but they all enhance those scenes by imbuing them with a real sense of familiarity and nostalgia. And the new themes accompanying Thorin, Radagast the Brown & Azog the Defiler were all sonically spectacular- with the Radagast the Brown and An Ancient Enemy themes being particular favourites of mine...** This is for me the best film score of 2012- and by some distance. A real tour-de-force. ** NOTE: I have been listening to the music score offline, and just want to point out that not all of these themes made it in their entirety into the movie.