Ennio Morricone has become Disney's answer to John Williams, composing the soundtracks for most of their recent releases, of which "Mission to Mars" is the latest. Relying heavily on a classical, almost reverent, tone this soundtrack lacks the compelling sound that made ST's like "Alien," "Star Wars" and "Close Encounter" massive favorites. It is more in tune with the mystical and often subtle tones that were used in "2001" but lacks that single piece of music to capture your ear as the adaptation of Wagner's "Also Sprach Zarathrustra" did in the Kubrick classic.

Soft tones which seldom rise above background music level except for moments of horns resurgent are more likely to put the listener to sleep than build anticipation and drama. The movements at time become almost pedestrian and although crafted with a fine sense of sound and beauty don't deliver the goods.

The vast depths of outer space and the barrenness of the Red Planet are captured here, albeit on a scale much smaller than they merit. It's a case of "Missin' Too Much."