Best Superhero Soundtracks, and beyond. by chrisisall

My favoirtes would be Danny Elfman's original Batman score, and Greame Revell's for The Crow.

I actually thought Iron Man had one of the worst Superhero scores, ever.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, February 5, 2009 7:20 PM

I would go with The Crow, but I am partial to The Six Million Dollar Man. Not sure if either fits your definition of superhero, tho.
And Iron Man does absolutely nothing for me. Movie or score.

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Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
I would go with The Crow, but I am partial to The Six Million Dollar Man. Not sure if either fits your definition of superhero, tho.
And Iron Man does absolutely nothing for me. Movie or score.

Crow counts, and is EXCELLENT!!!! Actually the ONLY other soundtrack for me that equals (and in some aspects surpasses, due to it's variety) Iron Man. The Matrix also rocks for the same reason. But as a one-man-written score, Iron Man is second only to Williams' Superman score, IMO.
But then, I'm a rocker, I imagine.

*Cue Iron Man Riff*

The laughing Chrisisall

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Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
And Iron Man does absolutely nothing for me. Movie or score.

WAIT!
WHAT????
You no like-y the Iron Man???
Are you HIGH???
It's the best superhero film since Superman or Batman Begins!!!
What's your problem with it?

The unbelieving Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 3:19 AM

BIGRICHARD

well I loved Iron Man, as a great, fun, superhero film (still think TDK was better), although I was slightly letdown by the ending, although I'm not entirely sure why.
The soundtrack though, was fairly uninspired, in my opinion.

And yes, loved the Crow, but can't really comment on that soundtrack either, as I haven't seen it in a while.

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Friday, February 6, 2009 7:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
But as a one-man-written score, Iron Man is second only to Williams' Superman score, IMO.

Now, are we differentiating score and sountrack? Since you mentioned the Matrix, which had a great sountrack, but fairly unmemorable score, I'm not sure where you're coming from. And with Iron Man.... well, the Sabbath and AC/DC songs worked, but I thought the score was rather pathetic, really. I'm not alone here, as it's probably the most-widely critisized element of the movie, even amongst those who really like the film overall (like me).

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 8:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
the Matrix, which had a great sountrack, but fairly unmemorable score

Don Davis' stuff was pretty damn good, IMO, it just lacked a centralized theme for it to BE memorable.

Quote:
I'm not sure where you're coming from.

Throwing a bunch of good songs together for a movie is way easier than actually writing the score yourself, I conjure.

Quote:
And with Iron Man..., I thought the score was rather pathetic, really. I'm not alone here, as it's probably the most-widely critisized element of the movie, even amongst those who really like the film overall (like me).

I found it to be jazzy, but unmemorable upon first viewing (EDIT TO ADD: but I have some hearing loss from my concert days(Thank you, Rolling Stones), so some of the musical nuances escape me until I watch with headphones). Now after seeing it five times, I can't get the test flight riff outta my head!!!
Not-bad-review here:
http://www.tracksounds.com/reviews/iron_man_ramin_djawadi.htm

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 8:34 AM

Hey- here's a bad one:
http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/iron_man.html

Quote:
The rougher of these straight rock cues, led by "Fireman" and "Arc Reactor," tend to degenerate into slapping, tiresome noise that don't offer any instrumental creativity, structural complexity, or even any redeeming harmonic consistency. There are brief moments when individual cues create a hip atmosphere enjoyable enough on their own to sustain the listening experience, but all too often a sudden shift in direction breaks the mood.

"instrumental creativity, structural complexity, or even any redeeming harmonic consistency" translates into: "I find myself to be very intellectual, and anything I write will be swallowed easily."

What a bunch of crap. No instrumental creativity or structural complexity compared to WHAT? Redeeming harmonic consistency...what does that even MEAN?
It had a beat and you could dance to it.
This guy just has a case of peeps-paid-to-make-music envy.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 8:51 AM

To each his own. But the score is one of the main problems I had with Iron Man. Just didn't find it appealing, at all.

For what it's worth, I'd say that review is spot-on.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 9:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

For what it's worth, I'd say that review is spot-on.

Just for reference, is there a guitar-heavy score in a movie that you DO like, or is it just a general Rock-thing that irks you?

The quizzical Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 9:10 AM

Well, the only other movies I can think of that relied on electric guitar for their score were pretty shitty movies to begin with (Kull: The Conqueror leaps to mind).

Musically, I'm a big rock fan, so I have nothing against it in that regard, but I've yet to see it used well for a film score. I just think symphonic music works better.

In the case of Iron Man, not only was I not fond of the guitar, but the score itself was merely incidental. Never did it make an impression on me. It sounded like a temp track they forgot to replace.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 9:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Never did it make an impression on me. It sounded like a temp track they forgot to replace.

Hmmph. YOU probably didn't like the soundtrack for Ladyhawke, either!

The leg-pullin' Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 9:21 AM

Hated it, as a matter of fact. Consider it one of the worst I've ever heard, and has made it virtually impossible for me to enjoy what is otherwise a pretty cool movie.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 9:30 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Storymark wrote:

Quote:
My favoirtes would be Danny Elfman's original Batman score, and Greame Revell's for The Crow.

I'm with you on both counts there Storymark.

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Friday, February 6, 2009 11:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Hated it, as a matter of fact.

Yeah, one of the worst in history... That movie NEEDS a Lucas-like re-do, JUST FOR THE SOUNDTRACK!!!! The Alex North parts are actually very good, though. But WHO THE HELL decided to use The Alan Parsons Project????

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 11:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Hated it, as a matter of fact.
Yeah, one of the worst in history... That movie NEEDS a Lucas-like re-do, JUST FOR THE SOUNDTRACK!!!! The Alex North parts are actually very good, though. But WHO THE HELL decided to use The Alan Parsons Project????

The laughing Chrisisall

Whew. For a second there, I thought you were gonna say how great it was, and I just didn't know where to go with that.

But all is good.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 11:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

Whew. For a second there, I thought you were gonna say how great it was

I'm eclectic, not crazy

.

So how did you feel about The Incredible Hulk soundtrack?
I thought it was serviceable. Liked the Theme from the show they mixed in momentarily.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, February 6, 2009 12:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

Whew. For a second there, I thought you were gonna say how great it was
I'm eclectic, not crazy.

So how did you feel about The Incredible Hulk soundtrack?
I thought it was serviceable. Liked the Theme from the show they mixed in momentarily.

The laughing Chrisisall

Yeah, it wasn't anything special, but it was effective. And it was nice to use the TV theme, wish they'd have done it a bit more.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 6, 2009 12:44 PM

Hey, I just watched Iron Man with my son (his review: Too many talky parts, not enough Iron Man fighting, but otherwise good), and I gotta say, the music was very meh without headphones!! It's gotta be pumped up for the full effect!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 7:07 AM

And... I just watched again with headphones....yep. The soundtrack near sucks at normal levels, it comes alive at concert level.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 12:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Storymark wrote:

Quote:
My favorites would be Danny Elfman's original Batman score, and Greame Revell's for The Crow.

I'm with you on both counts there Storymark.

What about the score for the first X-Men? Michael Kamens' best film work, IMO.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 12:53 PM

Have you guys listened to the soundtrack of Supergirl? Even if you don't like the flick (and I do, despite the camp), you have to appreciate one of Jerry Goldsmiths' better scores!

The Argo City Chrisisall

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 2:00 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Hey Chris.

I just couldn't sit through all of the X-men I'm afraid. I didn't actually realise that it was Kamen's work though. If it's on TV again I'll endeavour to watch it through and take note of Kamen's work out of respect for the great man.

My personal favourite of his is Brazil. Closely followed by Iron Giant.

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 2:02 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Have you guys listened to the soundtrack of Supergirl? Even if you don't like the flick (and I do, despite the camp), you have to appreciate one of Jerry Goldsmiths' better scores!

The Argo City Chrisisall

Jerry Goldsmith. What a genius he was. I always enjoyed his cameo appearances in Joe Dante films. Alien is still one of the best scores out there.

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 2:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:

I just couldn't sit through all of the X-men

In this case, the music is better than the film.

Catch some samples you can listen to right now here:
http://www.mp3sparks.com/r2/X-Men_(Soundtracks)/Soundtrack_by_Michael_
Kamen/group_2289/album_1/mcatalog.shtml
The last one, Logan & Rogue is my favourite, but you only get 30 seconds of it, the entire thing often moves me to actual tears.
I watch the movie in LARGE PART because of the music, and often listen to the end credits twice when I do.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, February 7, 2009 2:46 PM

OPPYH

The Punisher from 2004.
You'd be surprised how great this score is.

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Sunday, February 8, 2009 11:08 AM

Robocop has a kickin' score as well.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Monday, February 9, 2009 2:05 AM

KYRA

Who we are depends on the outcome of the struggle between who we were and who we want to be

I'm actually listening to the X men score as I write this - talk about coincidence
I actually only bought the score cos I saw it going for cheap and I'm a big soundtrack enthusiast. I didn't like it when I first heard it, but its now grown on me. Logan and rogue is easily the stand out track, quite like Death Camp too.
BUT I really dont think it suits the movie at all. I feel very underwhelmed watching the film when i focus on the music (and I do like the film), the end scene featuring the logan and rogue track is the only time I feel it meshes well

I think X2 is, whilst a bit more traditional, a lot better suited and IMO one of the best soundtrack scores.
John Powell's score for the last stand isnt as good Ottman's but has some stand-out themes (phoenix's theme in particular) and actually is better than the film

My personal faves are:
X2 (already mentioned)
John Ottman's Superman Returns - taking the well-established themes from the first movie and pairing them with new, arguably more successful cues (didnt like Lex Luthor's character in the original movie, nor his theme - far too comical)

but last by no means least...
Marco Beltrami's "Hellboy"
Can't believe nobody's mentioned this yet. Its one of my all-time favourite soundtracks, and I actually only enjoyed the film the first time cos I was listening mostly to the score
"Fathers Funeral" is possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard

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Monday, February 9, 2009 7:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Storymark wrote:

Quote:
My favorites would be Danny Elfman's original Batman score, and Greame Revell's for The Crow.

I'm with you on both counts there Storymark.

What about the score for the first X-Men? Michael Kamens' best film work, IMO.

Meh. Wasn't crazy about that one, either. Preferred Ottman's X2, meself. Kamen's best, IMO, is his score for the original Highlander.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kyra:
Ottman

Fantastic Four had a great soundtrack, but many missed it, being too concerned with trashing a reasonably good flick as they were.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:43 AM

RALLEM

How about "The Greatest American Hero"

http://swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 11:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Kyra:
Ottman
Fantastic Four had a great soundtrack, but many missed it, being too concerned with trashing a reasonably good flick as they were.

The laughing Chrisisall

Watched it once, have no interest in watching it again (aside from Alba in her undies).

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
(aside from Alba in her undies)

*Miss Teschmacher voice*

...Sick.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 3:57 PM

I actually really liked the casting of the 4, but the script was so weak, and Doom was soooo terrible, both in writing, and the performance, that it ruined it for me.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Thursday, February 12, 2009 9:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

For what it's worth, I'd say that review is spot-on.

Just for reference, is there a guitar-heavy score in a movie that you DO like, or is it just a general Rock-thing that irks you?

The quizzical Chrisisall

Wasn't there guitar-heavy work on Top Gun, including Danger Zone? I thought those were pretty catchy.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:26 PM

Can't tell if this thread is now just score or all-soundtrack.
Good call on Kamen's Highlander.
For film soundtracks, Platoon used Adagio for Strings by Barber, quite haunting.
The most haunting notes of Crow are the end credits, done by Jane Siberry, who also did well with cuts on Pay it Forward, and Color of Night, and others which escape me now - interweb is not user friendly for finding Jane Siberry soundtrack work.
I usually enjoy any score by George S. Clinton.
I found wonderful work by Ivan Neville after hearing him on Skin Deep.
Really enjoy Wang Chung's work on To Live and Die in L.A.
And Harold Faltermeyer's work, most well known for Beverly Hills Cop.
One escalating factor in the greatness of the TV show Due South is the repeated use of Sarah McLachlin tunes - always seemed to be meant for the show, but they were from her albums.

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Friday, February 13, 2009 4:06 AM

*agreeing with everything Jewelstaitefan wrote*

Plus, Basil Poledouris- Conan, Robocop, Quigley Down Under, and his best (IMO), the little-seen The Touch!

The note-worthy Chrisisall

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Friday, February 13, 2009 12:11 PM

Well those are all non-comic book scores. if we're going that route, that opens up all kinds of other films to discussion.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, February 13, 2009 12:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Well those are all non-comic book scores. if we're going that route, that opens up all kinds of other films to discussion.

*Points to Jewelstaitefan*

Go for it!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, February 13, 2009 1:27 PM

OPPYH

Star Trek Voyager intro. Nothing else comes close.

Epic.

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Saturday, February 14, 2009 5:21 AM

NEEDY

The road to Hel is paved with good intentions

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

One escalating factor in the greatness of the TV show Due South is the repeated use of Sarah McLachlin tunes - always seemed to be meant for the show, but they were from her albums.

I own pretty much every Sarah Mclachlan album, with the exception of her greatest hits, thanks to hearing her music in Due South.

On the topic of superhero soundtracks, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's collaborations for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight have resulted in some absolutely marvellous albums.
Fantastic work.

And since this folder has branched to other soundtracks, I thought i'd throw in
Gladiator - Zimmer again
POTC: At World's End - Think that was Zimmer too
Buffy the Score - Could have more variety in it but Christophe Beck's work on that show I feel elevated in even higher, and at least we've got 1 album showcasing it now, even though there should be at least 5

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Saturday, February 14, 2009 5:23 AM

VERONIC

X-MEN 3: Last Stan------John Powell

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Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
Star Trek Voyager intro. Nothing else comes close.

Epic.

TV huh? Well then I HAVE to mention Lost In Space & Dark Angel.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Sunday, February 15, 2009 11:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
Star Trek Voyager intro. Nothing else comes close.

Epic.
TV huh? Well then I HAVE to mention Lost In Space & Dark Angel.

The laughing Chrisisall

The Six Million Dollar Man is iconic. ST:TOS by Alexander courage was epic, particularly consider it's 40 years old. The film score were derivative of it. Even newer scifi shows like Buck Rogers "musak" fell down before it was aired. Courage just built steam.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 1:39 AM

BIGRICHARD

Well, not including what's already been said, like Buffy etc....

Other films:

*Pan's Labyrinth - Javier Navarette (hauntingly beautiful)
*The Fountain - Clint Mansell (absolutely stunning, and goes brilliantly with the breathtaking visuals of the film)
Requiem for a Dream - Clint Mansell (featuring one tune that has become very popular)
28 Days/Weeks Later - John Murphy
The Visitor - Jan Kaczmarek
*Edward Scissorhands - Danny Elfman
In Bruges - Carter Burwell
Love Actually - Craig Armstrong
Saw - Charlie Clouser

and if we include TV shows-

*Lost - Michael Giacchino (in fact, anything by him)

* = favourites

that's all i can think of right now...

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Monday, February 16, 2009 8:04 AM

CYBERSNARK

Anything by Yoko Kanno, the Goddess of Soundtracks.

Anyone who can go from this:

("Dance of Curse")
to this:

("Inner Universe" --and yes, that's fusion Japanese/Russian/English/Latin techno O_O )
By way of this:

("Tank" performed live --Kanno-Sama's the one in the read coat)

Check out her "tribute" work for Macross Frontier:

("Take Off")

("Zero Hour" --a tribute to Joe Satriani's Top Gun theme)

("Big Boys" --an ode to Pirates of the Caribbean)

("Transformation")

She also wrote the show's "source" music:

("Aimo" --simultaneously the sweetest and creepiest song in the show, peformed by Ranka Lee [Megumi Nakajima])

("What 'Bout My Star" --sung by Sheryl Nome [May'n] in her full "Britney Spears Mode")

("Nyan Nyan Service Medley" --which covers just about every song in Sheryl & Ranka's repertoire)

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Monday, February 16, 2009 8:21 PM