Those expecting to hear the Golden Age standard as exemplified by composers Max Steiner, Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Alfred Newman might have to revise their expectations regarding Brian Tyler’s 2014 output. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and specifically Into the Storm, this artist has crossed a threshold of sorts. In previous years, I have thought of him as a technically solid musician, except his tendency towards repetition can create some distance between score and listener. Clearly, he’s still got a long way to go before catching up with the godfathers of film music.

In a broader context, you won’t find the complexity of Max Steiner’s penultimate work on The Charge of the Light Brigade or the inherent subtlety of Jerry Goldsmith i.e. Executive Decision or The Edge. Yet, Into the Storm remains noteworthy for stirring something new in Tyler’s approach. If the opportunity arises, he can engage in the level of expressive composition, which made Basil Poledouris, John Barry and Bruce Broughton stand out from the crowd.

Crucially, Into the Storm pinpoints a theme, reintroduces it at several key junctures and rides the crest of several interconnected motifs. The latter forms the spinal cord of this soundtrack.

Beginning with “Into The Storm,” factors such as atmosphere, rhythm and dramatic contrast are stated with hair-raising intensity. The choir plays an important role, adding a rich sound texture which complements the orchestra in terms of backing and emphasis.

Within five minutes, Tyler’s emotional intentions become very apparent in the action cue “Atonement.” Similar to a rising wave, this quality also informs “Fate” and “The Titus.” Meanwhile, dramatic seeds are sewn by “Culmination” and “The Fire Tornado.”

Despite the film’s lackluster quality, Tyler tells his story very well in 47 minutes. Into the Storm grapples with emotions like desperation, love and the certainty of life’s short-term promise. The man versus nature paradigm becomes an unstoppable force as the on-screen tornado washes away homes, loved ones and familiarity. For an aftermath, Tyler strolls through plaintive chords based on fragile circumstances. Personally, I have been waiting for him to address such character-based matters. Making good on this promise, Tyler takes his time and achieves the finest sound mix possible.