When embarking on the journey of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, composer John Powell realized the significant chapter of his life dedicated to crafting music for these beloved films. Reflecting on the origins, Powell recalls the initial spark ignited by collaborating with Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders on the first movie. The opportunity to score a film independently for Jeffrey Katzenberg at DreamWorks Animation marked a pivotal moment. This confluence of factors may explain the heightened dedication poured into that first score. Perhaps it was the film’s Celtic undertones that resonated deeply with Powell’s musical sensibilities, creating a natural and effortless flow. Whatever the precise alchemy, the music resonated, setting the stage for a remarkable franchise.
Returning to Cressida Cowell’s enchanting universe for the second installment allowed Powell to musically accompany the characters’ growth. As the narrative delved into the complexities of adolescence and grappled with profound themes of love and loss, the score mirrored this evolution. Powell expanded his musical palette, striving to imbue the thematic material with greater depth and resonance, exploring concepts such as love, grief, leadership, and the mantle of becoming an Alpha. Now, as he composed the soundtrack for the final chapter in this epic saga, capturing the concluding adventures of both human and dragon protagonists, Powell discovered poignant parallels between the on-screen narrative and his own life’s journey.
Powell’s aspiration for this final score is that it will faithfully carry forward the spirit, principles, and vibrant joy that he consistently aimed to infuse into the preceding films. However, it also incorporates subtle nods to his personal evolution; a celebration of a life richly lived with cherished friends and family, where the indelible impact of those significant individuals endures.
JOHN POWELL
