Superman Returns Soundtrack review

Superman Returns Soundtrack review

When Bryan Singer announced that John Ottman would write the score to his new Superman Returns movie, many fans of John Williams’ old Superman score wanted to know if many of their favorite themes would return for this new score. Ottman assured fans that some of their old themes would in fact return, and he was correct. I found the entire score to be extremely entertaining. Hearing some of Williams’ wonderful themes being used in the movie and the CD brings back memories of the old Donner film. Ottman gives us a very interesting mix old and new themes in this score. He also added a full choir to give the score a grand feel.

1. Main Titles: This is basically the same main Superman theme from the old Superman movies. I believe this is a remake of the old concert Main Title march, re-recorded by Ottman. The music is clear and just fun to listen to. (Can you read my Mind is played in the middle of this track). Note: this CD does not have the Krypton Theme intro that is in the actual movie. Shame on the CD people for not including that track.

2. Memories: This one has the first mention of the Smallville theme at the beginning, and then turns into a fun ‘running’ theme of the Smallville cue. I actually like this version because Williams’s version of this beautiful theme is usually played in a sad tone. Plus, there is some choir work here as well.

3. Rough Flight: Opens with some random action stuff, but then an interesting dark Ottman cue is mixed with the Superman theme. Toward the middle, Superman’s theme comes in and there’s a child’s voice singing for the space portion. I like how Ottman makes us hear the plane plummet toward Earth’s surface. This is a great track; he throws everything into this one.

4. Little Secrets/Power Of The Sun: This track is connected to track 3 with no pause between them. I loved the use of ‘Can you read mind’ in the beginning with flutes and strings, it’s very nice to listen to. We also get to hear the very sad new ‘lost love theme’ mixed with Ottman’s new ‘hero’ theme. I didn’t care for the ending of this track though.

5. Bank Job: I’m not a huge fan of this track; it works in a weird Planet of the Apes Goldsmith way though.

6. How Could YOU Leave Us?: Now this is probably my favorite track on the entire CD. It’s simply beautiful. There’s a hint of the Krypton theme at the beginning. The children choir singing in the middle is just breathtaking to listen. The track turns sad with the ‘lost love theme’ and the new Hero theme shows up as well. There’s a sad version of ‘Can you read my mind’ that ends the track.

7. Tell Me Everything: Not much to this track

8. You’e Not One Of Them: Here’s more of the sad themes carried over from track 6

9. Not Like The Train Set: Some of this works, while some of it is boring. We get to hear the Lex Luthor theme in this track, as well the proud Superman theme. Those are the themes that really stand out.

10. So Long Superman: I don’t care for this track too much.

11. The People You Care For: This one is alright, but not as bad as 10.

12. I Wanted You To Know: There some pretty good stuff with it ending on the Smallville theme.

13. Saving The World: I like the ‘Star Trekish’ version of Luthor’s theme at the beginning. The track builds up to the Superman theme and goes into a darker tone toward the end. Interesting use of the voices here.

14. IN THE HANDS OF MORTALS: This works well in the movie, but on CD it isn’t that interesting, except for the ending portion.

15. Reprise / Fly Away: This last track is also one of my favorites as well with the children’s voices returning with Ottman’s Hero theme. Some of this stuff was used in track 6. The track ends on the Superman Theme

On CD Grade: A-

In the movie: A

BTW, here are the opening credits to Superman Returns. Now, this is how you open a movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb0Qr-ZT7Yg