Best superhero Score music (not songs) Marvel ? DC ? Sony ? None of them?

[Batmannerism]

Hi gang, not sure if this has been covered before, but let's talk about the scores for superhero films, in particular how memorable certain scores are....and how others aren't. To me, what makes a great score (for a superhero or any other action film) is that it has to be memorable - I mean, if you can't remember it, then it didn't really make much of an impact. The best scores have great motifs for characters (e.g. Zimmer's Dark Knight is probably the pinnacle among modern superhero films )

While, as a hard core DC fan it pains me to admit that Marvel movies are currently the far superior product I find some of the more recent ones have one area of weakness - the lack of memorable scores (of course B v S was a lot more forgettable as many of the Marvel scores - just another part of the film I've tried to erase from my memories)

Man of Steel, for all its ups and downs had a very recognizable score and main theme - of course by Nolan's long-time collaborator Hans Zimmer. As I mentioned above, Nolan's TDK trilogy introduced Zimmer's wonderful new and also highly recognizable score for Batman (and the Joker !) and that was preceded by Danny Elfman's incredible work on Batman '89.

To finish off DC, going back a long way to 1978, John Williams Superman march is probably the most recognizable and memorable superhero theme music of all time - and as much as I love Hans Zimmer's work on Man of Steel, nothing captures the spirit of Superman like the original Superman March. And of course, it's probably the one superhero theme that everyone can hum if asked.

Speaking of Danny Elfman, his work on the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy was also superb - with a very memorable main title theme for the friendly neighbourhood you know who ! Sadly, that's as far as it goes with Sony, because none of the X-men films have anything that sticks in the mind at all in them - oh wait, I can remember a couple of bars from the main title theme, but that's all.

Does Marvel films have anything to compare ? Well, Avengers is pretty recognizable. It's very very, very repetitive but that actually helps.
I wouldn't recognize the Cap movies' music, and I've seen them all a few times. I feel like Cap:CW while it was an absolute cinematic triumph had mostly generic action movie music - nothing that really stood out. Same for Hulk and the Ghost Rider films.

In contrast, Guardians of the Galaxy (putting the amazing soundtrack aside) actually had a pretty memorable main theme (it's used quite effectively in the big action sequences) Thor's not too bad. Iron Man....well I remember AC/DC but that's it.

So, I feel like DC has (or at least had) some small advantage there in terms of making great superhero scores - although Zimmer kind of dropped the ball in B v S whose score was pretty much background noise (he really peaked in TDK but has been on a bit of a slide since them) Maybe that says more about Zimmer than anything else, when he's great he's great, and when he's not, he's just noisy.

These, of course are just my opinions. Is the great superhero film score a thing of the past ? Thoughts anyone ?

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

I don't think it's a thing of the past. There are plenty of moments in recent superhero movies that I think have been perfectly scored. The climax of Avengers comes to mind.

But I think a reason we're not getting as many 'memorable' scores is because the tone of the movies. In the MCU, we're not gonna get something as darkly whimsical as Elfman's Batman theme or as old-school and silver-age as Williams' Superman theme because none of the movies have been darkly whimsical or old school and silver-aged. I highly doubt Spider-Man Homecoming will have a score as theatrical as Elfman's Spider-Man score because I highly doubt Spider-Man Homecoming will be as theatrical as Raimi's Spider-Man.

That being said, I don't think how recognizable or memorable something is necessarily a measure of quality or worth. For example, I'd say all the Electro stuff in TASM2 is memorable, but a lot of it didn't mesh well with the film at all. I feel similarly about First Class and a lot of BvS's score. The new themes are all memorable imo (Bats, Lex, and WW), but they're kinda obnoxious at times.

 

[Batmannerism]

I don't think it's a thing of the past. There are plenty of moments in recent superhero movies that I think have been perfectly scored. The climax of Avengers comes to mind.

But I think a reason we're not getting as many 'memorable' scores is because the tone of the movies. In the MCU, we're not gonna get something as darkly whimsical as Elfman's Batman theme or as old-school and silver-age as Williams' Superman theme because none of the movies have been darkly whimsical or old school and silver-aged. I highly doubt Spider-Man Homecoming will have a score as theatrical as Elfman's Spider-Man score because I highly doubt Spider-Man Homecoming will be as theatrical as Raimi's Spider-Man.

That being said, I don't think how recognizable or memorable something is necessarily a measure of quality or worth. For example, I'd say all the Electro stuff in TASM2 is memorable, but a lot of it didn't mesh well with the film at all. I feel similarly about First Class and a lot of BvS's score. The new themes are all memorable imo (Bats, Lex, and WW), but they're kinda obnoxious at times.

Yeah, I should have clarified that, I meant memorable because it was good - like Williams' Superman March. It sticks with you because you liked it - to me 99% of B v S score was just noise, not memorable and I hated it, in contrast I also remember a fair bit of the Electro score of Tasm2 because it was awful.

Hell I remember a bunch of the score from Batman Forever, also which was also pretty awful ( a poor man's version of Batman '89).

So probably memorable wasn't the best word to use, but I do think that an element of a truly great score should be recognisable ( eg most of the LOTR score is instantly recognizable, but the same can't be said for the Hobbit movies ). I mean, does anyone ever say " Wow, great movie and such great music...too bad I don't remember any of it."

I do feel like what the Cap movies lack is a really memorable score - particularly a motif for Cap himself. That's something the Nolan Bat trilogy really succeeded with, and music can make a big difference. If Cap had an instantly recognizable theme I feel like it would really elevate the character even more so than the fantastic movies ( he's got one, but it doesn't leap to mind the way Zimmer's bat-theme does).

 

[Mr.T]

IM1 and the Incredible Hulk had great scores.

 

[Greens]

Hell I remember a bunch of the score from Batman Forever, also which was also pretty awful ( a poor man's version of Batman '89).

The main theme for BF and B&R was actually pretty bad-ass.

 

[Batmannerism]

The main theme for BF and B&R was actually pretty bad-ass.

Hey, personal taste I guess. I respect your opinion, but found that score really repetitive - as if someone had sampled a little bit of Elfman's score and just did it over and over again. But that's just me.

However, if we were talking about soundtracks (as in songs) which we're not - but if we were Batman Forever has an amazing score.

IM1 and the Incredible Hulk had great scores.

Yeah the IM films all have pretty good scores - I really remember the music from that chase scene through the dust storm in IM4.

As for Incredible Hulk...... I do remember the excerpt from the original TV series (which was cool) the rest of the music I can't really remember.

 

[ernesth100]

1. BvS Wonder Woman Theme(Still Stuck In My Head)

2. Avengers Theme
3. Electro Theme TASM2
4. No Place Like Home TASM2 OST
5. "Saving New York" TASM OST


Bonus: "He's Back" SM2 OST

 

[SuperAl]

Man of steel easily has the best score out of all the comic book movies thus far.

 

[BoredGuy]

The best title themes, imo: Elfman's Batman, Williams' Superman, Ottman's X2, Silvestri's Avengers, Silvestri's Cap: TFA

and the best overall score has gotta be TDK

so maybe just a tiny edge to DC on this one

 

[Batmannerism]

The best title themes, imo: Elfman's Batman, Williams' Superman, Ottman's X2, Silvestri's Avengers, Silvestri's Cap: TFA

and the best overall score has gotta be TDK

so maybe just a tiny edge to DC on this one

Yeah, I'd agree with all of that.

I think what TDK does so well is match the music to the action.
So many great moments punctuated by brilliant music.

For example:

"Why so serious ?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrIc1SlA7O8


"The clowns are the hostages !" and the music from that entire action sequence is brilliant, it builds tension and then explodes into action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9HlMN3CeI0

"Lie like I lied." again the music builds slowly to increase the tension and then explodes into Batman's hero theme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJma8pVAvH4

and best of all, the classic interrogation scene (probably the best superhero- villain scene ever) the music is so subtle at first, because the actors carry the tension, it's not until the end that the Joker theme takes over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnOLhXmhkyA

That's something that Zimmer just didn't manage to replicate in TDKR - which I find kind of OTT ( I remember the music and sound effects being deafening, rather than engaging - but in TDK he's note perfect).

Oh, on a different note, and off topic, another film score I find really engaging is the Bourne Ultimatum (it's a bit repetitive) but captures the frantic energy of the film from the first moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldJjtMoYFqA


Cheers. It's neat seeing how different people have such different ideas about what makes a great score, but hey this all about opinions so go for it. If somebody loved the Catwoman soundtrack, that's cool too !

 

[Greens]

Zimmer went even more OTT with Batman v Superman.

Both BB and TDK are perfect in terms of score.

 

[Batmannerism]

Zimmer went even more OTT with Batman v Superman.

Both BB and TDK are perfect in terms of score.

Yeah, in B v S sadly Zimmer's score was mostly just more noise - with a few good moments here and there.

 

[DACrowe]

1. John Williams' Superman Score
2. Danny Elfman's Batman Scores
3. Hans Zimmer's Batman Scores
4. Danny Elfman's Spider-Man Scores
5. Hans Zimmer's Man of Steel Score
6. John Ottman's X-Men Scores
7. Henry Jackman's Kick-Ass Theme

....8. MAYBE Henry Jackman's theme for Magneto in X-Men: First Class.

If anyone tries to rank any of the Marvel Studios scores or Zimmer's sleepwalking through The Amazing Spider-Man 2, they're kidding themselves.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

If anyone tries to rank any of the Marvel Studios scores or Zimmer's sleepwalking through The Amazing Spider-Man 2, they're kidding themselves.

Let's shut down discussion with a sweeping cheapshot.

 

[harryoscop]

1. Zimmer's Man of Steel
2. Elfman's Spider-Man
3. Zimmer's Dark Knight
4. Jackman's Winter Soldier
5. Silvestri's The First Avenger
6. Young's SM3
7. Horner's Amazing

 

[DACrowe]

Let's shut down discussion with a sweeping cheapshot.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

1. John Williams' Superman Score
2. Danny Elfman's Batman Scores
3. Hans Zimmer's Batman Scores
4. Danny Elfman's Spider-Man Scores
5. Hans Zimmer's Man of Steel Score
6. John Ottman's X-Men Scores
7. Henry Jackman's Kick-Ass Theme

....8. MAYBE Henry Jackman's theme for Magneto in X-Men: First Class.

If anyone tries to rank any of the Marvel Studios scores or Zimmer's sleepwalking through The Amazing Spider-Man 2, they're kidding themselves.

No real arguments from me, aside from removing the maybe from #8. I rather enjoyed the First Class score. I might actually put it above Ottman's.

The Williams Superman score and Elfman Batman score are far above the rest. They are the King and Queen of CBM scores.

I will make one sole exception on the Marvel Studios front though. I probably wouldn't have it above #9 or so, but I do like the score for Guardians of the Galaxy. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are good too, if you count those.

 

[Brother Jack]

DC has had a better track record with scores and it isn't even close. Williams' Superman might still be the single greatest superhero score ever done. Elfman, Walker, and to a lesser extent Zimmer have all done great work with Batman. There have been some Marvel movies with good scores, namely Avengers for me, but there just is no comparison.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

1. John Williams' Superman Score
2. Danny Elfman's Batman Scores
3. Hans Zimmer's Batman Scores
4. Danny Elfman's Spider-Man Scores
5. Hans Zimmer's Man of Steel Score
6. John Ottman's X-Men Scores
7. Henry Jackman's Kick-Ass Theme

I'd definitely agree with the first 5, maybe in the same order, those are easily the greatest.
I'd personally squeeze in The Incredible Hulk score between Zimmer's Batman and Elfman's Spider-Man.

If anyone tries to rank any of the Marvel Studios scores or Zimmer's sleepwalking through The Amazing Spider-Man 2, they're kidding themselves.

Personal opinion?
I mostly agree with you about the rest not being very memorable, but I like at least one track from here or there.

 

[DACrowe]

No real arguments from me, aside from removing the maybe from #8. I rather enjoyed the First Class score. I might actually put it above Ottman's.

The Williams Superman score and Elfman Batman score are far above the rest. They are the King and Queen of CBM scores.

I will make one sole exception on the Marvel Studios front though. I probably wouldn't have it above #9 or so, but I do like the score for Guardians of the Galaxy. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are good too, if you count those.

You are totally right about the TV themes on Daredevil and Jessica Jones, especially Daredevil. I forgot about those! But do they count since they're not movies?

I loved the soundtrack to Galaxy, but I don't really remember the score per se and I've seen it 3 or 4 times. I'll give it another viewing soon. Maybe I was just jamming too much on featuring the Runaways and Five Stairsteps.

I'd definitely agree with the first 5, maybe in the same order, those are easily the greatest.
I'd personally squeeze in The Incredible Hulk score between Zimmer's Batman and Elfman's Spider-Man.

Personal opinion?
I mostly agree with you about the rest not being very memorable, but I like at least one track from here or there.

You know what, I forgot about The Incredible Hulk score Elfman did. You are right that was really good. Would have fit well in a Frankenstein movie, which is of course the point. I wish it was in a better movie, because it really was a good piece of music.

 

[DACrowe]

DC has had a better track record with scores and it isn't even close. Williams' Superman might still be the single greatest superhero score ever done. Elfman, Walker, and to a lesser extent Zimmer have all done great work with Batman. There have been some Marvel movies with good scores, namely Avengers for me, but there just is no comparison.

Hey you are totally right about Walker! It's easy to forget her, because she mostly did television (I did). But she also scored Mask of the Phantasm, which is musically as good as the best of them.

 

[Brother Jack]

Mask of the Phantasm is still my favorite Batman score.

Just... c'mon:
[YT]QGCLJ4BQXXQ[/YT]

 

[Spider-Aziz]

You know what, I forgot about The Incredible Hulk score Elfman did. You are right that was really good. Would have fit well in a Frankenstein movie, which is of course the point. I wish it was in a better movie, because it really was a good piece of music.

Danny Elfman did the 2003 movie score, Incredible's score was composed by Craig Armstrong.

 

[OcStat]

And the Elfman '03 score was awesome.

He's nailed 3 different characters. Spider-Man score you can tell comes from "the guy who did Batman" but Hulk you don't know until you see the name pop up in the credits.

 

[Batmannerism]

1. John Williams' Superman Score
2. Danny Elfman's Batman Scores
3. Hans Zimmer's Batman Scores
4. Danny Elfman's Spider-Man Scores
5. Hans Zimmer's Man of Steel Score
6. John Ottman's X-Men Scores
7. Henry Jackman's Kick-Ass Theme

....8. MAYBE Henry Jackman's theme for Magneto in X-Men: First Class.

If anyone tries to rank any of the Marvel Studios scores or Zimmer's sleepwalking through The Amazing Spider-Man 2, they're kidding themselves.

Good list. I can't disagree with that too much. The Magneto theme from XMFC was pretty memorable - particularly when he kills Shaw.

Personally, I rank the Zimmer Bat score above the Elfman one - mostly because Zimmer's work in TDK is probably the best scoring of any modern (post 2000 ) Superhero film.

Elfman's Spider-Man work is vastly superior to Zimmer's work on TASM 2.

Also, I would replace the X-scores with Alan Silvestri's Avenger's theme or maybe Tyler Bates' work on Guardians of the Galaxy.

Henry Jackman is quite underrated I think - I suppose we could add the Kingsman Score to the list - not a superhero score, but a cbm score.