Music : Superman Returns

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Superman Returns Soundtrack
I didn't care for the sountrack nearly as much as I thought I would. It lacked the excitement of the movie.

Rating:

- Superman Returns The Original Soundtrack CD
I really enjoyed this CD. It reminds me of the original 1978 version by John Williams, and uses many of his themes and musical motifs. One can even envision many of the scenes from the movie itself while listening to the it, which is to me at least the ultimate test of a good movie soundtrack.

Rating:

- A triumphant tribute with some new twists
As iconic as the Superman character is, John Williams' score from 1978 is equally so. Instead of devising an entirely new theme like Hans Zimmer did in last summer's "Batman Begins," John Ottman and company opted to keep Williams' theme and build around it.

The opening theme on track one is very similar to Williams', but offers a more powerful, updated feel. Due to the movie's emotional nature, several tracks measure up and blend in nicely. Including "Little Secrets/Power of the Sun" (4), "How Could You Leave Us" (6) and "Not One of Them" (8). The tracks which feature most of the drama and action are nicely arranged as well; including some of the Luthor movie scenes. The sountrack ends appropriately with the ending sequence and fly away (15).

A large part of cinema is the usage of music, and if you enjoyed this summer's "Superman Returns," Ottman's score probably had something to do with it. This is well worth adding to your collection.

Rating:

- An Important Link to the First Film
Since the storyline of Superman Returns is set 5 years after the events in Superman the Movie and Superman II (Richard Donner was supposed to helm both films), the score reflecting the themes from the first film (Main Title, Planet Krypton, Leaving Smallville, and Love Theme from Superman) was appropriate. The themes were orchestrated extremely well, in contrast to the hack job that Ken Thorne did for budget tightwad producers the Salkinds and director Richard Lester on Superman II. Compare that garbage soundtrack to the job Ottman did, and you'll have a better appreciation of Superman Returns.

Rating:

- Paging John Williams
This latest superman movie soundtrack is a great waste of money and disappointing to say the least. It tried to use the original themes but was too sparing in using them and so what is left is pure "interlude" music with no recognizable themes in 99% of the album; the composer simply is a second rate hack who did not even use the preexisting themes well. Maybe John Williams is too old or too expensive or busy but this was a big mistake and it mirrored the movie's own weakness of being heavy at times but never really fun nor exciting. The third track which uses some of the original theme is the only one remotely worth a listen and it frankly sucks. Save your money and if you like the superman music, buy the original 1977/78 version and Superman II anbd even Superman III - any one of which is vastly superior and worth owning. How sad that all they could write for Superman Returns was music that teases by always seeming about to get going into some theme that never comes. The rest of it is depressing, slow, ponderous and mushy w/o being anything distinctive. What a bad album for a movie that Warner Bros wanted to make into a real blockbuster. P.S. the movie is worth seeing once but won't ever really be a long time hit since it is poorly scripted in dialogue and plot and the casting of the new superman also bite the big one; he is no Chris Reeves and the new suit really is insulting plastic looking. Too bad for all us fans....

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