Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL

3/23/16
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Pretty sure they're gonna end up the best of friends.
What You Will Hear:  Heavy synth, drums, and effects.  A smattering of the theme and action underwriting from Man of Steel.

Standout Tracks:  The Red Capes Are Coming, Day Of The Dead, Is She With You?, Men Are Still Good - The Batman Suite

Will You Be Humming Along?  Lex Luthor, Batman, and Wonder Woman all offer new material.
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Batman
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Wonder Woman
The album this makes me want to dust off:  Man of Steel – Hans Zimmer
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Will I come back to it?  No.  From the opening twelve-note barrage, almost every cue on this album is an assault on the senses.  (See: Must There Be A Superman?)  On Man of Steel, the drums and effects were clean.  On BvS, the writing is so loud and thick that it is often difficult to hear tone quality (or even pitch selection).  There are some moments so overridden by noise that they feel completely absent of music.
   The staccato piano on Luthor’s theme is a lot of fun, but it doesn’t feel fully realized… maybe on purpose?  They could just be foreshadowing future evil?  Wonder Woman’s theme is also fun, but why choose electric guitar for an Amazon warrior?  Batman’s theme is appropriately dark, but so simple that it is almost not noticeable.  Each of the new themes feels like they have not reached full potential.
   I find it odd that the first musical introduction to the DC movie universe was called “Ideal of Hope.”  Man of Steel, at least, offered some inspiring human moments.  Batman v Superman is, simply put, too dark and too aggressive.  There is no hope here.  Initial reactions to the film's debut were positive, but after this first listening, my ears just hurt.  (Hopefully) enjoy the movie, hit up the concluding suite, and then return to Man of Steel for a more satisfying musical experience.

@FILMSCOREFANS

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