Hans Zimmer Scoring The Man of Steel - Part 1

[AnneFan]

Superman has had other themes. Lois & Clark had a romantic one, STAS had that almost throwback/1940's tune and Smallville had a hero theme that was majestic and powerful. The Williams main title wouldn't have suited any of those shows.

Superman can be something other than the Williams theme. As good as the entire Williams score is, it's limiting to say that Superman can only be that. It's like saying Batman can only be scored by Elfman when Schumacher, Nolan and other things prove otherwise.

I am excited for a new sound and the trailer music met my expectations. Very different from Williams which is to be expected and that's the whole point.

 

[Elevator Man]

If they weren't going to use Williams' theme for MOS, then all I was hoping for was a least credible alternative. HZ totally exceeded any expectations that I had, and simply put (based on what is in the latest trailer) he hit it out of the ballpark and in to the stadium in the adjacent city!

I understand why you don't want to watch the trailer, but when you finally see the movie and hear the score, I hope you can be objective enough to base it solely on its merits and appropriateness for this particular take on Superman, and not simply that you don't like that Zimmer's musical contribution is prevalant in Hollywood. After seeing the teazers/trailers I honestly don't think Williams' score would have fit the tone of MOS. If they hadn't assigned Man Of Steel to Zimmer, then Patrick Doyle who scored Thor would have been a good choice.

Trust me I'll be objective. I even tried to be objective with TDKR score. Eventhough I've complained about his Batman scores I don't hate the man's music. Zimmer can be a great composer at times. Some are saying that he's stepping out of his comfort zone for this. So that's a good thing b/c I want him step into Superman's world (musically) and not force Superman in his. If that makes any sense.

I agree that it's time to move on from the Williams theme/score b/c this is a new take on the character, but that's not my issue with this situation. My problem is when some people talk smack about the old score to make the new score (based off of 3 minutes of music from a trailer, when we still haven't heard the entire score in the context of the movie) look good. If people like it that's fine, but there isn't any need to bash the old score to prove it. I can accept new themes. I enjoyed Walker's and Gruska's themes for their respective versions, as well.

Oh please. It was hypothetical in context, not meant to be seriously considered by itself.

Well when people are comparing Williams and Zimmer based on talent. I take it very seriously.

 

[KalMart]

Well when people are comparing Williams and Zimmer based on talent. I take it very seriously.

I think you're taking yourself a bit too seriously, to be frank...but I get some of your drift.


But if someone does say (or mean) they like the newer music better than the Williams stuff...it very well may be because they actually like it better. And it's not that they don't know what they're talking about or don't have the right appreciation for such and such...they just may like what they like and so be it.

 

[Project862006]

Trust me I'll be objective. I even tried to be objective with TDKR score. Eventhough I've complained about his Batman scores I don't hate the man's music. Zimmer can be a great composer at times. Some are saying that he's stepping out of his comfort zone for this. So that's a good thing b/c I want him step into Superman's world (musically) and not force Superman in his. If that makes any sense.

I agree that it's time to move on from the Williams theme/score b/c this is a new take on the character, but that's not my issue with this situation. My problem is when some people talk smack about the old score to make the new score (based off of 3 minutes of music from a trailer, when we still haven't heard the entire score in the context of the movie) look good. If people like it that's fine, but there isn't any need to bash the old score to prove it. I can accept new themes. I enjoyed Walker's and Gruska's themes for their respective versions, as well.



Well when people are comparing Williams and Zimmer based on talent. I take it very seriously.

how so zimmer's entire career is more on the emotional side people are so damn brainwashed to think zimmer only does brooding batman music yet forget gladiator,lion king,thin red line,tears of the sun,prince of egypt

he has just been stuck doing batman for past 7 years which is a dark character

 

[KalMart]

Don't forget A League Of Their Own...which surprised me.

 

[HankTheTurtle]

So, some of the music playing under the drums in the trailer reminds me of a part of this piece (from about 3:00 to 4:15)

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcRUCjw3-Bk[/YT]

 

[AnneFan]

I love it when the theme really gets going towards the end. It is similar to 'Vespertilio' but the antithesis of it. Instead of those rising, dark tones we have rising hopeful tones. When I hear it I can just imagine Superman flying at full speed with his fist clenched, onwards into combat. This really is Superman Zimmer style.

 

[Dr.]

Superman can be something other than the Williams theme. As good as the entire Williams score is, it's limiting to say that Superman can only be that.

I agree.

The problem with the Williams music being the default/“official” Superman theme isn’t about it not being good. It is good. The problem, imo, is that the music (through no fault of its own) has become overexposed, ubiquitous and clichéd. Marching bands play it during parades, it gets a laugh when used in parodies - because everyone recognizes it as a kind of Pavlovian cue for “heroism.”

The Williams theme in the Smallville finale was interesting. In a way, it worked exactly like it was supposed to: evoking the warm and fuzzy feeling of “Superman” (in general) and the nostalgia of the Chris Reeve movies (in particular). But there was also a sense that Smallville didn’t earn these emotions by its own merits; it was borrowing them from somewhere else.

This is the same liability that any movie would face were it to recycle Williams. If Superman is to remain current and vibrant, it can’t be anchoring itself to a particular, 35 year-old reference point.

 

[Smegger56]

So was that the Superman theme in trailer 3?

If so, WOW! I love it. It sounded very superman to me

 

[AnneFan]

If Superman is to remain current and vibrant, it can’t be anchoring itself to a particular, 35 year-old reference point.

I agree with everything you said, and especially this segment. A modern Superman movie going the whole way, new suit, music and all.

Williams' music is good but Zimmer is my kind of thing. He's off to a good start with the trailer. Bring on the rest.

So was that the Superman theme in trailer 3?

If so, WOW! I love it. It sounded very superman to me

Yes, it's a Zimmer track and it's stuck in my head. It traces his beginnings (opening piano) the rising optimism perhaps from gaining acceptance on Earth. And then what I gather is the all out Superman hero theme. This theme is making me want to buy some Superman graphic novels.

 

[Project862006]

what i love about zimmer song is it can fit in slower dramatic scenes on top of action

it slowly builds up triumphantly you can feel superman flying and ready for battle with this theme

 

[elgaz]

I've listed to 'An Ideal of Hope' 4 or 5 times now and I love it. Suitably epic, catchy, uplifting, and unique.

William's theme was iconic and unforgettable, but it's 35yrs old now. It's time for something new. And it's arguably harder nowadays (with all the music and themes that have gone before) to come up with something equally as impressive, and to mould it from scratch without subconsciously referencing what came before. What Zimmer has done here has really impressed me : it just suits a Superman film 100%, like Williams' theme did.

 

[BH/HHH]

I've listed to 'An Ideal of Hope' 4 or 5 times now and I love it. Suitably epic, catchy, uplifting, and unique.

William's theme was iconic and unforgettable, but it's 35yrs old now. It's time for something new. And it's arguably harder nowadays (with all the music and themes that have gone before) to come up with something equally as impressive, and to mould it from scratch without subconsciously referencing what came before. What Zimmer has done here has really impressed me : it just suits a Superman film 100%, like Williams' theme did.

great post

 

[Smegger56]

I agree with everything you said, and especially this segment. A modern Superman movie going the whole way, new suit, music and all.

Williams' music is good but Zimmer is my kind of thing. He's off to a good start with the trailer. Bring on the rest.

Indeed. I think Williams theme, IMO, is the greatest theme in film. I really do. But like what's been said, a new superman film needs EVERYTHING to be fresh and current. And so far, Mr Zimmer is doing GOOOOOD. I do love his work.

Yes, it's a Zimmer track and it's stuck in my head. It traces his beginnings (opening piano) the rising optimism perhaps from gaining acceptance on Earth. And then what I gather is the all out Superman hero theme. This theme is making me want to buy some Superman graphic novels.

I know what you mean. I'm even more excited now than I was before to see this film (and I was pretty damn excited). The theme has just took it to another level.

 

[TheAQU4M4N]

so do you think we will get a definitive Superman theme? or not?

 

[Jim-El]

I loved the Dark Knight Zimmer "themes"... It is fine with me if there is not a definitive one, but we will see.

 

[KalMart]

so do you think we will get a definitive Superman theme? or not?

I think the music as a whole will be be uniquely Superman, but if you're looking for the specific kind of memorable melodic as Williams, then it'll probably be quite different because they are so different as composers.

I doubt anything will really become the kind of 'anthem' that Williams' STM work will, but that's not knock on anything to follow.

 

[flickchick85]

I will say this: While it will never be as famously hummable as Williams' theme (and was never going to be), I do think Zimmer's work here has the potential to become iconic in the way his more famous work has. Like the Pirates stuff. Marching bands and sporting events crib that music all the time, and everyone recognizes it. Gladiator, too. A year from now, they could be playing his Superman music at football games, just as they still do the Williams theme. I mean, those heavy drums in the trailer have got to be sounding mighty tempting to drum-line directors right about now.

 

[dark_b]

something can only become iconic after years. i guess 5 years? in 20013 and 2014 we for sure will not know.
but i am positive that he will give us music that fits superman. i like that he will use a build up.

 

[BatSpider]

Would anyone say that Zimmers TDK score is iconic yet?

 

[Project862006]

imo i think his batman theme is even tho people here constantly try to say he didn't have one SMH!!

 

[Whiskey Tango]

It becomes iconic when it captures the imagination of multiple generations and defines a character and the time it was created for decades to come.

Despite what the internet tries to tell you, you can't just sit down and write a legendary piece of music. If it were that easy everyone would do it. There's much more to it than that.

 

[Sawyer]

Would anyone say that Zimmers TDK score is iconic yet?

I don't think much/any superhero score from the past decade or so has been all that iconic.

 

[Project862006]

imo elfman's spiderman was last iconic theme

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I don't think much/any superhero score from the past decade or so has been all that iconic.

Can you play a snippet to a random person on the street and have them name it with a 85% or better success rate? I'd define 85% as iconic.

I wish I had a camera and other suitable equipment, that'd be a fun experiment.