By this point in “Avatar,” Jake has trained very hard to become one of the Na’vi, and hasn’t really earned his marks yet. Successfully linking with an Ikran (banshee), and riding it, is the last lesson before officially being recognized as one of the Na’vi. The late Horner creates a wonderful ethnic atmosphere for this completely new culture and delivers on the excitement and triumph of flight as Jake finally feels like he belongs as he demonstrates his ability riding the Ikran.

Though Harry has flown a lot up to this point in the series (i.e. on brooms, in cars) I thought this scene really let the idea of flying soar. John Williams really let the music reach new heights on this track, and highlighted Harry’s excitement of successfully flying Buckbeak. One of the things I love about this particular flight scene, is that Harry is just flying to fly finally…not for purpose as he does in almost every other flight scene (i.e. quidditch matches, escaping someone, trying to get to Hogwarts). The music perfectly reflects this idea of the ecstasy of flight shortly after a raucous percussive start to the cue.

One could’ve easily chosen “Test Drive,” which is full of amazing high powered music, but what I love about “Romantic Flight” is that John Powell perfectly plays on acceptance, young love and flight at the same time. Not an easy feat to accomplish. This is a great example how instrument choice matters so much. By starting with solo violin and choral accompaniment, it adds lightness and a heavenly quality to the scene as they travel thru the clouds in this pivotal scene for Hiccup and Astrid’s relationship.

From an audience perspective, many of us are seeing the relationship of a young Han and Chewbacca forge as they help each other escape. Starting at 22:40 into the movie, the first half of the “Flying with Chewie,” is about the escape from Mimban. In this first half, there are a few wonderful moments I want to touch on. [At 00:38 in soundtrack] Notice the space that composer John Powell gives the dialogue in the change of relationship as Han says the phrase “trust me.” [At 1:35 in soundtrack] As Tobias Beckett decides to pick up Han and Chewbacca, the use of Hans theme as the ship goes to pick them up helps us establish Han’s importance. [At 2:03 in soundtrack]The use of tuba on Han’s theme in the shower scene highlights some of the sarcasm to Han’s personality.

[START OF VIDEO is 2:10 in soundtrack] From here we have a scene cut to a sun-like star rising as we see our very first flight scene of the movie. The music relaxes quite a bit knowing they are out of harms way, and we see Han enjoying the sensation of flight. This music perfectly reflects the conversation between Han and Chewbacca as a legendary bond of trust and friendship is being built.

You can’t talk about flying and not include E.T. This non-stop fifteen minute masterpiece isn’t all about flying, but around 4:28 on the soundtrack, we start the chase scene which ultimately leads up to E.T. sending the boys into flight to escape the authorities allowing E.T. to get to his spaceship and be sent home. Did I mention non-stop? Steven Spielberg loved what John Williams wrote so much, that he couldn’t break up the lengthy cue. Instead the orchestra would have the very challenging task of making sure they performed this straight through flawlessly during recording, and of course, they delivered.

It’d be a shame if I didn’t include a flight cue based on a non-fiction event. Justin Hurwitz takes this flight scene, and delivers all the emotion you ever need. Arguably one of the most important feats in NASA history, Hurwitz decides to really get into the psyche of the astronauts, the emotion of this monumental space launch and all that can possibly go wrong with it. The theme is very simple, but it beautifully morphs and builds as the scene progresses.