Quick-Click Reviews: Volume 25

In volume 25, your single click will bring your four soundtrack reviews for: Apocalypse World War II by Kenji Kawai, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Thomas Newman, Music from the Batman Trilogy by Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, performed by the London Music Works, and The Possession by Anton Sanko.

APOCALYPSE: WORLD WAR II by Kenji Kawai

Review by Richard Buxton

6/10

"If you are able to look beyond some of the score’s less than stellar qualities, or are already a fan of the composer, APOCALYPSE WORLD WAR 2 is likely to provide moments worth your time."

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL by Thomas Newman
Review by Christopher Coleman

8/10

"THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL will likely be remembered and awarded for its wonderful performances, but one that should not be overlooked is that of composer THOMAS NEWMAN, whose score is a refreshingly exotic getaway all it’s own."

MUSIC FROM THE BATMAN TRILOGY by Zimmer/Howard/ London Music Works
Review by Thomas Midena

8/10

"...this is a splendid performance of a fantastic collection of pieces, and can only be thought of as a success. "

THE POSSESSION by Anton Sanko
Review by Helen San

7/10

"Tucked away amidst the tension, mystery, and "heebie-jeebies" are some rather beautiful, musical moments."

READ THESE QUICK-CLICK REVIEWS

Batman Begins Chase Scene Scored by...Danny Elfman?

Soundtrack-geninus and Soundcast listener @Matty_ODonoghue tweeted this little video at us in response to Episode #50, our The Dark Knight Rises episode.

We put it out there for someone to edit some of Danny Elfman's score up against some of Christopher Nolan's Batman work...and there it is.

In this chase scene from BATMAN BEGINS, originally scored by Hans Zimmer ('Molossus' on the Batman Begins soundtrack), we have the cue "Batman to the Rescue" by Elfman.  The editor, Youtube user, LukeLindmeyer states how oddly perfect the cue fits the cut of the film, but I think I detect some edits to the scene (correct me if I'm wrong there) that help this fit along.

If one has never heard the original score for this scene, I can see how it might be viewed as "fitting."  Those of you, like me, who have seen Batman Begins countless times and listened to the original score even more, the tone of Elfman's score certainly clashes with the vibe we know Nolan was going for.  And if that weren't enough, the bit of Hans Zimmer's score at the beginning of the video puts a brighter spotlight on the creative dissonance.

Tim Burton's Batman was a dark superhero movie and Danny Elfman's score fit it well.  Nolan's Batman is much more of a crime-action/drama that just happens to have some rather eccentric characters in it.  And Zimmer's score fits equally well.  As we indicated in the episode #50, the distinct personalities of the two franchise iterations just don't mesh...although I somehow think putting some of Zimmer's score up against one of Burton's films might work.

Anyone up to that challenge? 

Hans Zimmer Talks The Origins and Challenges of the Bane Chant

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Composer Hans Zimmer talks about the origins of the "Bane chant" and the issues with trying to record thousands of vocals in secret.

SoundCast Ep. 50 - Fish, Fish, Water, Water - The Dark Knight Rises

Ep. 50- "Fish, Fish, Water, Water - The Dark Knight Rises"

Composer Sascha Dicikiyan and Alex Billington join us for an in-depth discussion on THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. They explore Nolan’s final entry in his Batman trilogy as well as Hans Zimmer’s score. Lastly, they discuss the MAN OF STEEL trailer and it’s intriguing choice of music.

Episode Highlights

00:00 The Batmontage
00:27 Intro and Welcome
02:12 The Tragedy in Aurora, Colorado
08:20 The Dark Knight Rises - General Reaction
19:11 The Dark Knight Rises - Spoiler Talk
32:32 The Dark Knight Rises - The original score
64:54 Sidetrack: Man of Steel Teaser

Music Selections

00:00 "Batman" (Batman Begins) Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard

00:17 "Why Do We Fall" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer
07:00 "Nothing Out There" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer
31:52 "Why Do We Fall" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer
33:28 "Gotham's Reckoning" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer
35:10 "Mind If I Cut In" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer
46:58 "Harvey Two-Face" (The Dark Knight) by Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard
50:00 "The Batman Theme" (Batman) by Danny Elfman
65:24 "Khazad-Dûm" (LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring [Complete]) by Howard Shore
68:30 "The Planet Krypton" (Superman) by John Williams
70:02 "Journey To The Line" (Thin Red Line]) by Hans Zimmer
86:24 "Rise" (The Dark Knight Rises) by Hans Zimmer

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