Homecoming Who had the best score?

[SpideyK]

SM1, 8.5/10

SM2, 8.9/10

SM3, 8.5/10

ASM, 8.0/10

ASM2, 7.7/10.

I like all Spidey scores.

 

[Spider2099]

I rank the composers as follows:

1. Danny Elfman
2. Christopher Young
3. James Horner
4. Hans Zimmer

The Danny Elfman theme is just classic and I consider it to be one of the best movie themes ever made. Christopher Young also did an excellent job when taking over for Elfman in SM3.

There was a nice ambience to the score in TASM, so I think Horner's music is a bit underappreciated there. When I heard Zimmer's theme for TASM2, I didn't care for it. The music is unmemorable and doesn't suit Spider-Man at all IMO.

 

[Doctor Octopus]

Zimmer putting in lyrics about he lied to me, he shot at me in a villain theme is the stupidest idea.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

what did christopher young do?

 

[Spider2099]

Zimmer putting in lyrics about he lied to me, he shot at me in a villain theme is the stupidest idea.

I had such high expectations after hearing that TASM2's score was going to be made by a band. Sigh.

 

[Spider2099]

what did christopher young do?

Spider-Man 3

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Spider-Man 3

oh. the main theme sounded a lot like elfman though

 

[Spider2099]

oh. the main theme sounded a lot like elfman though

Well it was supposed to be the same theme song, and I think he did a good job at recreating Elfman's work. His original themes were for characters like Venom and Sandman.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Well it was supposed to be the same theme song, and I think he did a good job at recreating Elfman's work. His original themes were for characters like Venom and Sandman.

I see. I didn't like the themes but since I didn't like the movie it probably didn't help that those themes were part of that movie.

 

[Spider2099]

I see. I didn't like the themes but since I didn't like the movie it probably didn't help that those themes were part of that movie.

Understandable.

 

[Johnny-Oh]

Elfman obviously but I voted for Christopher Young since his score is very underrated, he had great tracks:

Birth of Sandman:

[YT]cbLpfsG68io[/YT]

Symbiote Transformation/Fight:

[YT]QYjn-u8iFJ0[/YT]

Chuch Tower & Birth of Venom:

[YT]zbqGhvdnWAw[/YT]

Peter and Harry Fight:

[YT]kswvrcsL9n4[/YT]

 

[Elevator Man]

Danny Elfman is best. Then James Horner. Hans Zimmer very last. It was Zimmer's worst score of his career and worst score for a Spidey movie.

I can think of 4 DC/Nolan related superhero scores by Zimmer I like less than TAS-M2. Young's S-M3 is my least favorite out of the 5 S-M scores.

I think Zimmer's is pretty underrated, though. I've heard the argument that it's a bit too Superman-ish, and I get what they mean. I just don't see why that's a problem. Underneath the whole spider-mutant thing, Spider-Man is unambiguously a classic hero at heart. He dresses up in a colorful costume and goes out to save people, that's as naively and unabashedly heroic as it gets. Zimmer's theme addresses that... while also throwing an awesome electronic/modern/youthful vibe in there. That was a genuinely new (while also very appropriate) approach for the character. I think it's brilliant.

Agreed. Most of the people that dislike the score despise the movie as well. Therefore their hatred of the movie unfortunately rubs off on the score as well.

Zimmer's was the absolute worst. It sounded really ugly and inconsistent, not helped by the fact that people like Pharrell were brought on to contribute. Easily the worst of Zimmer's career.

It's far from his worst score. And I'll take TAS-M2 score over TDKT and MOS scores any day.

Elfman is just awful and Horner is very very forgettable.

Most of the villain themes were awesome, especially Elfman's Doctor Octopus and Zimmer's Electro.

Agreed Electro's theme is the best spidey villain theme since Elfman's Doc Ock theme.

Zimmer's was very.....strange...I can't say it's that good to be honest. It has some really nice parts to it but when it's was bad it was really bad. Although something tells me he didn't get a lot of control with Sony around. "Put more techno/dubstep music in Zimmer, kids will eat that crap up".

LOL I doubt that's how it went down between TPTB and Zimmer. Whether we like it or not Zimmer is arguably the biggest and most innovative composer in Hollywood right now. He has a lot more clout than most film composers. It was his idea to put together a band. Not Sony's. And the dubstep was only used during the Electro moments, which surprisingly wasn't that many in the movie.

I also found Electro's theme very, very annoying! "My pulse is racing, mental torture, self destroying calling card, with paranoia slipping something mind distracting agony inside of me" the sad thing is someone got paid to write that..

This perfectly sums up how I felt about Zimmer's redundant "Deshi Basura" chant for Bane in TDKR.

Zimmer putting in lyrics about he lied to me, he shot at me in a villain theme is the stupidest idea.

Nope! It was ingenious and unconventional, imo.

 

[Elevator Man]

I'll just copy&paste my post from a similar thread a couple of months ago on my opinion of the Spider-Man scores.


So I listened to all the Spider-Man scores from both franchises (excluding Young’s since it never got an official release) back to back. I’m not going to rank ‘em but bring up what I enjoy about each of ‘em.

Spider-Man - Danny Elfman
Rather than give Spidey a march ala Elfman’s Batman and Williams’ Superman he gives the superhero a motif instead, which goes through a bunch of variations. And makes it unclear of what the defining main theme is. I think it’s intentional reflecting Peter’s troubles of having a dual identity. I think it also mirrors how complicated it is for Peter to balance a double life as a young student/photographer/crime fighter. He also gave Peter a separate theme which was a lot more bolder and identifiable than Spidey’s own. Again I believe that was intentional b/c Parker is the real person instead of a façade (unlike Batman and Superman’s alter egos, imho) rather than Spidey. Peter’s theme could also be consider the responsibility theme as well b/c it characterizes how important of a father figure Ben was to Peter and the moral’s behind the meaning “with great power comes great responsibility”, imo. The theme also investigates Peter’s humanity, emotional side, and inner turmoil, imo. There’s also a tender love theme for Peter and MJ that examines there relationship and the admirmationboth characters have for one another. He scores the romance as unrequited love b/c it doesn’t become quite complete in this story. Aunt May is given poignant and touching theme reflecting May’s love, care, and compassion for Peter. It’s sort of melancholic b/c it echoes the impact Ben’s death has on both Peter and May’s relationship. It’s interesting that in all of the Spidey films Elfman’s the only composer to give May a theme/motif. And finally for Spidey’s greatest foe the Green Goblin is given a sinister, menacing, and ruthless theme, which explores Norman’s schizophrenic mind.

Spider-Man 2 - Danny Elfman
Elfman’s Spidey theme/motif, Peter Parker theme, MJ and Peter’s love theme, Aunt May’s theme/motif, and the Green Goblin theme (though briefly) return with alterations. The newest theme in this one is Doc Ock’s theme which is in three separate parts. The main Doc Ock theme is malicious and intimidating. That is actually a variation of Spidey’s motif. Probably to show that there’s a connection between the two characters. Another theme represents Ock’s 4 mechanical arms, which is ingeniously made up of 8 notes. It’s a very catchy and fiendishly over the top theme which imitates how dangerous Ock’s four mechanical arms are. The 3rd theme usually shows up whenever Ock is leaving the scene (when he escapes the hospital, leaves the Osborne Mansion, and kidnaps MJ from a café). It portrays Ock as being pretty much unstoppable as he dominates everything he comes across. Doc Ock’s theme in general is one of my favorite cbm villain themes.

The Amazing Spider-Man - James Horner
Horner gave Spider-Man a more defining theme than Elfman. It captures the character’s more heroic, noble, and charming side. Horner was able to do so much with this theme emotionally. There’s also an emotional theme/motif that represents Peter’s childhood/parents, which is often played on a piano i.e Peter playing hide and seek at the beginning and when present day Peter finds his Dad’s briefcase, etc. It’s both sympathetic and esoteric. Another mysterious motif is used whenever Peter investigates something (e.g. his Dad’s past, spider bites, and the equation). It’s basically a motif for Peter’s curiosity. Horner gave Peter a sentimental main theme that distinguishes Peter’s heart. It’s also considered Peter and Gwen’s love theme. The theme was very romantic, lyrical, bittersweet, and a little melancholic. It plays just as much of an important role to the score as his Spider-Man theme. I believe the theme hints to something dire in their future if they continue being romantically involved as Capt. Stacy warned Peter at the end. Horner gave Peter more themes/motifs while giving Spidey one defining theme, which was the opposite of what Elfman did with his scores. Which really intrigued me how both approached the themes/motifs for their interpretations of Peter/Spidey. Dr. Connors also has a theme/motif. It plays to not only Connor’s humanity but also his delight in the miracles of science. You can hear the cheerful theme when Connors wakes up with a new arm, when he and Peter successfully replace a hamster’s missing limb, and when he saved Peter from falling off the Oscorp building as he begins turning back to normal. The lizard theme/motif isn’t as evident as the other themes but it’s there. It’s sort of tragic but at the same time lethal and aggressive as the character. The theme could be heard during the Oscorp Tower confrontation with Spidey, Lizard, Capt. Stacy, when Connors escaped in the sewers after Spidey saved the boy on the bridge, as well as during Lizard’s first confrontation with Spidey on the bridge, and when he turned the cops into lizards after being shot down by them. Horner’s score overall gravitates more to the dramatic and intimate elements of the film.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Hans Zimmer and the Magnificent Six
While Elfman and Horner’s took more of an old fashioned orchestral approach with some electronics to heighten some of the sci-fi elements of the story. Zimmer’s score is much more contemporary and modern with some orchestra. Hans also put together a band of various musicians/artists to colaborate, which is very unique for any superhero adventure score. Zimmer’s score explores Peter’s wild teenage life as a superhero. He also gives Spidey a bold heroic theme. The theme gave me the impression as a listener what it must be like to be Spidey. The trumpet conveys a lot of triumph into the Spidey theme, imo. The main theme is played more dramatically on piano for the more emotional Peter moments. It’s played on electric guitar for the more cheerful moments. As well as during some of Spidey’s mightiest moments in the score. Unlike Elfman and Horner it’s interesting to note that Zimmer didn’t bother creating separate themes for both Spidey and Peter. He wrote a love theme for Peter and Gwen that’s affectionate but hints at an inevitable tragedy in their love affair. He gave Max Dillon/Electro a peculiar and foreboding theme which often characterizes Dillon’s insecurity and paranoia. The dubstep elevates the villains electrical abilities. And the demented whispering lyrics to “My Enemy” and “The Electro Suite” cleverly explore what’s left of Dillon’s sanity. It’s easily one of the most creative villain themes in a long time, imho. Harry Osborne gets a very morose theme/motif on violin. It dissects Harry’s emptiness, loneliness, and inner demons. The theme becomes unhinged and twisted once Harry becomes the Goblin. This is the first time Harry’s given his own theme in any of the scores. In the SM3 score Young adapted Elfman’s Goblin theme for Harry once he took the Goblin mantle. So that doesn’t necessarily count. Rhino gets a diabolically sinister theme as well but doesn’t get to evolve unlike Electro’s and Goblin’s themes. Zimmer wrote an inspiring theme/motif for Gwen’s graduation speech that bookends the finale, when Peter listens to it for the first time and therefore encourages him to put on the costume again after a 5 month hiatus of mourning Gwen.

Each of these scores got a lot going for ‘em. I believe each have something to offer musically which distinguishes themselves from each other and the other superhero scores. All 3 composers took different approaches examining the psychology and personal journey of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the world he inhabits, the characters (good or evil) he comes across and his numerous adventures. There so much more I can say about these scores. Spider-Man has been blessed with some excellent scores, imo. That’s why I can’t pick the best or definitive score. I look at it as composers putting their own spin on the character and his adventures as writers and artists do for the comics.

 

[Spider2099]

Fantastic post, Elevator Man!

I would probably say that the Elfman theme is the definitive Spider-Man movie theme from my perspective. I've identified it with Spider-Man ever since the first Raimi film, and I think it stands out more than any of the later ones.

 

[A Necessary Evil]

Agreed. Most of the people that dislike the score despise the movie as well. Therefore their hatred of the movie unfortunately rubs off on the score as well.

Absolutely not true. I absolutely 110% detest ASM2, but I love the score. That being said, the goofy cartoon-y theme for Electro was out of place, and HEE SHOOOT AT MEEEAAAHHH HE HAAAATAEEESSS ON MEEAAAHH sucks complete ass.

 

[Doctor Octopus]

Elfman obviously but I voted for Christopher Young since his score is very underrated, he had great tracks:

Birth of Sandman:

[YT]cbLpfsG68io[/YT]

Symbiote Transformation/Fight:

[YT]QYjn-u8iFJ0[/YT]

Chuch Tower & Birth of Venom:

[YT]zbqGhvdnWAw[/YT]

Peter and Harry Fight:

[YT]kswvrcsL9n4[/YT]

Agreed. I love Young's score.

I can think of 4 DC/Nolan related superhero scores by Zimmer I like less than TAS-M2. Young's S-M3 is my least favorite out of the 5 S-M scores.

I can think of 4 DC/Nolan related superhero scores by Zimmer I love more than TASM2. Young's SM-3 is my second favorite.

The goofy cartoon-y theme for Electro was out of place, and HEE SHOOOT AT MEEEAAAHHH HE HAAAATAEEESSS ON MEEAAAHH sucks complete ass.

Agreed. It was stupid and embarrassing lol.

 

[Elevator Man]

Absolutely not true. I absolutely 110% detest ASM2, but I love the score. That being said, the goofy cartoon-y theme for Electro was out of place, and HEE SHOOOT AT MEEEAAAHHH HE HAAAATAEEESSS ON MEEAAAHH sucks complete ass.

Well I didn't mean everybody who detests TASM2 dislike the score b/c of it. Just most of 'em I've come across do. I'm glad you're able to still enjoy most of the score despite detesting the actual film. I'm just picking up a vibe that most of those who bash the score only do it b/c of their hatred of the movie itself. I'm a believer that a good score could still come from a subpar movie e.g. Powell's X3, imo.

I can think of 4 DC/Nolan related superhero scores by Zimmer I love more than TASM2. Young's SM-3 is my second favorite.

[YT]5hR5YNqE3K8[/YT]

 

[A Necessary Evil]

Is that really a big deal if he doesn't like tasm2 score? Seriously..

 

[degraves93]

I liked TASM2, and I liked the score. However, it's entirely possible to hate one thing but like the other. I hate SM3, but I've always liked Sandman's theme, and that jazzy one that plays during the sand truck scene and the fight at Harry's apartment.

 

[PeterBenParker]

I loved the "I'm Goblin" track from ASM2.

 

[LizardMan07]

Never read that post from elevator man but wow it's great

So much better than "dis sucks" or "dis gud"

 

[Daltonio]

Hans Zimmer, with Horner's as a close second.

 

[LizardMan07]

Did you like Elfman's score?

 

[Daltonio]

Of course, it's still a classic score. The main theme especially, but there's lots of great stuff there too.

 

[JOE]

Germany had the best score... 7.