The Amazing Spider-Man 2 The Hans Zimmer Score thread

[Vid Electricz]

Having gone back to hear it, my main gripe with Horner's score is the trumpet cue he uses on the main theme. It's awfully generic and sounds like your hero du jour cue, it feels bland. You can hear these kinds of sounds in your basic WWII movie...

Spider-man needs to sound unique. Elfman captured the right feel on his own take on the theme. You feel a sense of speed in it.

Nailed it. It felt exceedingly generic. The main theme was my biggest issue as well. It didn't have any real, distinct personality. You're absolutely right, a character like Spider-Man needs something more unique and distinct to suit his character. A common, generic hero theme feels bland and out of place. Elfman successfully captured the sense of heroic triumph, despair and dark undertones in his score all while making it distinctly "Spider-Man". I am confident that Zimmer will be able to do likewise.

 

[Green Goblin]

Nailed it. It felt exceedingly generic. The main theme was my biggest issue as well. It didn't have any real, distinct personality. You're absolutely right, a character like Spider-Man needs something more unique and distinct to suit his character. A common, generic hero theme feels bland and out of place. Elfman successfully captured the sense of heroic triumph, despair and dark undertones in his score all while making it distinctly "Spider-Man". I am confident that Zimmer will be able to do likewise.

Generic? That's one word is would not describe Horner's theme.

Most blockbuster themes don't have a child singing solo in it. Can you name any other blockbuster themes that have that?

 

[AF3619]

Neh it wasnt generic but it was inferior to Elfman's

 

[Oscorp]

I'd say Elfman's theme gets generic after the brilliant intro.

 

[Michael Frost]

Generic? That's one word is would not describe Horner's theme.

Most blockbuster themes don't have a child singing solo in it. Can you name any other blockbuster themes that have that?

I was referring to the main cue exclusively. The signature cue (the trumpet one!) that's repeated throughout the Score. I would hum it to you but I can't through here. In general, Horner's theme was good (the "filler" parts) when it's accompanying the pictures and conveys the right tones. It's the main theme that I have a problem with.

I agree, Oscorp. Elfman's theme gets a bit bland after that awesome kickstart.

I personally love hearing orchestral movie soundtracks when I'm working but I wouldn't hear to either Elfman's or Horner's Spiderman theme. Man of Steel is a blast to sit through listening I think. Inception too.

 

[Green Goblin]

I was referring to the main cue exclusively. The signature cue (the trumpet one!) that's repeated throughout the Score. I would hum it to you but I can't through here. In general, Horner's theme was good (the "filler" parts) when it's accompanying the pictures and conveys the right tones. It's the main theme that I have a problem with.

I agree, Oscorp. Elfman's theme gets a bit bland after that awesome kickstart.

I personally love hearing orchestral movie soundtracks when I'm working but I wouldn't hear to either Elfman's or Horner's Spiderman theme. Man of Steel is a blast to sit through listening I think. Inception too.

Is the trumpet and the childing not in the main theme? I also don't know many blockbuster themes that have a trumpant.

My main gripe with Horner's soundtrack was that the fight scene music was quite lacklustre and should have been more epic. I thought Elfman nailed the music for the fight scenes in the Rami movies.

I am also really enjoying "an ideal of hope too". Zimmer and Pharrel composed that theme so I expect a great soundtrack

 

[Adamantium]

I am also really enjoying "an ideal of hope too". Zimmer and Pharrel composed that theme so I expect a great soundtrack

Does it list Pharrel in the production/writing credits of the cd jacket?

Nevermind. I just remembered the videos about the score. I remembered all the drummers he had with Sheila E. and some others. I'm thinking Pharrel was talked about on that. I don't remember if he was one of the drummers or not. Sorry, I forgot all about those videos I watched until after I posted.

 

[Michael Frost]

I also don't know many blockbuster themes that have a trumpant.

You're kidding, right?

Most of the first hero/heroic themes were made in triumphant fanfarres composed of those, mainly because they were all mimicking John Williams' Superman theme. Take most WWII themed movie soundtracks and you'll hear them on the main cues aswell.

Also, the fact that a theme has a child singing or trumpet doesn't define it's quality. It's just an identifying factor. There's some awesome things you can do with trumphets or children singing, but the fact that you're using them doesn't guarantee a hit.

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

Nailed it. It felt exceedingly generic. The main theme was my biggest issue as well. It didn't have any real, distinct personality. You're absolutely right, a character like Spider-Man needs something more unique and distinct to suit his character. A common, generic hero theme feels bland and out of place.

I couldn't agree more. Horner's score certainly wasn't bad as a piece of music unto itself. I just felt a disconnect far too often between music and scene. The main theme in particular felt dated (too old fashioned) and completely wrong for the character. I don't think Spidey should have an overly heroic theme, however original or bland it may be. I want something with more edge, with a more modern & urban sophistication. I think this crew could deliver.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Horner was in no way generic. I wouldn't ever use that word to describe the score. In fact, outside of a few spare moments there is almost no noticeable elements of his previous works. He created something very unique for a superhero movie and used some ideas from lesser known dramatic scores. And he skipped upon using one of his most obnoxious known techniques, that little three or four note 'danger theme' he often uses. I won't argue about the trumpet cue being bland but at least he was emulating one of the greats in Williams with that motif.

 

[Green Goblin]

You're kidding, right?

Most of the first hero/heroic themes were made in triumphant fanfarres composed of those, mainly because they were all mimicking John Williams' Superman theme. Take most WWII themed movie soundtracks and you'll hear them on the main cues aswell.

Also, the fact that a theme has a child singing or trumpet doesn't define it's quality. It's just an identifying factor. There's some awesome things you can do with trumphets or children singing, but the fact that you're using them doesn't guarantee a hit.

Yea, and the Williams theme came out like in the 70's

 

[Michael Frost]

There's even some stuff that precedes that one but can't deny that it had a signifying influence on the rest of music world specially of what an "heroic theme" theme is, in people's minds.

 

[Green Goblin]

There's even some stuff that precedes that one but can't deny that it had a signifying influence on the rest of music world specially of what an "heroic theme" theme is, in people's minds.

How else could you create a heroic theme? If trumpets work best they should use it even if it's been done before

 

[Michael Frost]

It's not a matter of what works best, you can make any instrument "work best" if you know how to use it.

In terms of creating heroic themes, it greatly depends on the character you want to portray, there's all sorts of heroes. I'd say start on the personality and then develop from there. The heroic theme should have a bit of the hero in it otherwise it will feel generic and off-the-mark.

Same goes for villain themes or any other theme actually. It has to feel personal.

John Williams' Superman theme worked so good for the character because there's a certain naiveness to it and it sounds "clean". There's no room for doubt or any kind of "edginess" on the world's strongest boyscout, he does what he does because it's the right thing to do and he needs no other reason. In a way it epitomizes the character's persona. Basing themes off of it only works if it's a character with similar traits otherwise it will feel incredibly off-kilter.

 

[Eros]

Horners score lacked that signature spider-man theme like Danny Elfman did with the Raimi movies. Since he was replaced by Zimmer, it obvious they want this movie to be much bigger then the first one.

 

[SM71]

Horner's work on ASM was imo remarkably brilliant. Most blockbuster scores in the past decade are all muscle and brawn. Here Horner creates something that is organic, dynamic, colorful, and heartfelt. The overall scope of the music is massive in scale yet it is dramatically intimate.

Couldn't agree more

 

[SM71]

Horner's score was perfectly appropriate for the movie TASM was. if TASM2 is going grand in scope and blown out action sequences, I can 100% understand the switch to Hans but still love what Horner did. It makes TASM1 really intimate and unique for me personally

edit: And i'm usually all about consistency when it comes to movie sequels (same director, cast, composer, film crew), but getting 1 or more different "feels" inside this new set of Spidey movies is actually pretty interesting and exciting to me. I like similarity but diversity as well

 

[Naite22]

I thought Horners score was superior to Elfmans on several levels. Elfman's score (to me) was like a coke without the bubbles = flat!... Hans Zimmer and co. will no doubt make the most badass spiderman movie score to date. Cause it's really not that hard to beat to begin with. And Zimmer is probably the best composer working Hollywood right now. We're lucky he's doing spidey!

 

[A Necessary Evil]

I'm actually really excited as well! Zimmer has done nothing but top quality work, so this is nothing but good news for me. James Horners score is, for me, on par with Christopher Young's SM3 score. It didn't feel like it had much personality to it (for lack of a better word at the moment).

Huh? I implore you to reconsider. Young wrote the best Spider-Man score, for sure. Horner's was the weakest, but still good. Hell, I'd say it was one of the better things to come from that movie.

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[Vid Electricz]

Huh? I implore you to reconsider. Young wrote the best Spider-Man score, for sure. Horner's was the weakest, but still good. Hell, I'd say it was one of the better things to come from that movie.

Don't get me wrong, Young and Horner are very talented composers. I just didn't feel that they were the best fit, or perhaps the direction they went in was the best for a character like Spider-Man.

Their sound really put, I feel, too much obvious emphasis on the big heroic moments (Spidey's theme in TASM and the black suit discovery in SM3). It feels very heavy handed and obviously heroic- and I don't think this approach works for Spider-Man. He's an unconventional character and that should be underscored by an unconventional theme. I thought Elfman did that wonderfully/masterfully. That score was uplifiting, heroic and a bit sinister, all at the same time.

ps. I've always liked the birth of Sandman- And I really liked the rejected suite, hadn't heard that one before!

 

[747]

Mike Einziger? That's awesome in my book! I dig Stewart and Pharrell too – add Hans himself, and it's a damn great film-score supergroup on paper.

 

[A Necessary Evil]

Don't get me wrong, Young and Horner are very talented composers. I just didn't feel that they were the best fit, or perhaps the direction they went in was the best for a character like Spider-Man.

Their sound really put, I feel, too much obvious emphasis on the big heroic moments (Spidey's theme in TASM and the black suit discovery in SM3). It feels very heavy handed and obviously heroic- and I don't think this approach works for Spider-Man. He's an unconventional character and that should be underscored by an unconventional theme. I thought Elfman did that wonderfully/masterfully. That score was uplifiting, heroic and a bit sinister, all at the same time.

ps. I've always liked the birth of Sandman- And I really liked the rejected suite, hadn't heard that one before!

Fair enough, I dig all the Spider-Man scores, but I felt Elfman had a stronger effort in SM1 than SM2, but Young did it better. Can't wait to hear Zimmer's music though, i'm sure he'll do great.

 

[AnneFan]

The 2002 soundtrack is my favourite - 'Costume Montage' FTW, but like Neccessary Evil, I genuinely like all of the scores up to this point.

 

[Sentinel X]

Generic? That's one word is would not describe Horner's theme.

Most blockbuster themes don't have a child singing solo in it. Can you name any other blockbuster themes that have that?

whooop-dee-doo...a child sings in it, its so unique now....not.

Many scores use human voices (child or not) and that does not save them from sounding horrible. I thought James Horner was a perfect fit for Spider-man based off his previous scores. He is a talented composer and I was really looking forward to hearing his Spider-man theme but I was wrong. Not only was it horrible, but it was Horner's WORST score imo. His WORST. I don't know if he was rushed or what but that theme needs to be replaced asap.

 

[Green Goblin]

whooop-dee-doo...a child sings in it, its so unique now....not.

Many scores use human voices (child or not) and that does not save them from sounding horrible. I thought James Horner was a perfect fit for Spider-man based off his previous scores. He is a talented composer and I was really looking forward to hearing his Spider-man theme but I was wrong. Not only was it horrible, but it was Horner's WORST score imo. His WORST. I don't know if he was rushed or what but that theme needs to be replaced asap.

And smashing the drums as fast and as hard as you can is not generic?