Superman Returns

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

With the passing of actor Christopher Reeve, the one and only Superman left Metropolis, our world. Considering he was to many the one and only voice and face of Superman, it is natural that he will be remembered only of that role. However his faith, courage and will to walk again made him a true Superman outside the movie business, showing a unseen iron strength to never give up and to believe in yourself. That he passed away and never witnessed a new Superman to rise was all the more sad really. For the actors who starred in the classic movies, it must be strange to see a new Superman playing the man of steel, but you have to give the producers credit, for they chose a true look-alike in voice and posture. Christopher Reeve might not return, but it sure brings back the magic of the good old days. I couldn't help but smile the moment Brandan Routh and Kate Bosworth (alias Superman and Lois) portrayed their chemistry on screen. And in that case Singer did well, the movie surely follows the road traveled well and of course in special effects and look, it never appeared better in movie theaters then now. However the one and only question was, how would the score of Ottman appear in the final version? When you remake a movie, you can alternate everything and make it yours and yours alone. When you continue a movie series and furthermore, one so accustomed to one man and theme alone, it was inevitable to use the musical main theme of John Williams. Yes, John Williams made another theme so legendary it will be remembered now and forever, and then Brandan Routh or whoever that follows the line will be obliged to hear the only theme made for Superman. But surprisingly, Ottman went further. He didn't use the main theme but also its following sub themes namely the love theme (Kent and Lois romance), the home theme for Kent and the Krypton planet theme. Considering Lex Luthor is much more evil here, it would have made the March of the Villains inclusion a bit comedic and so Ottman went for a different villain tune. Yet strikingly absent is the Krypton crystal theme, the one and only weapon that can defeat Superman. And in the movie we had the scene that could have used it, but Singer and or Ottman didn't feel something for it apparently. Its absence is something I find very sad. Yet then again, with 4 returning Williams themes, we receive 3 new Ottman themes, his emotional Superman theme, an underused devilish Luthor theme and the longing Lois theme, which crops up more then you realize.

Of course, Superman must begin and end with the theme of its superhero and the version is very faithful in 'Main Titles', an early highlight. With the home theme receiving an orchestral and choral performance, 'Memories' states the first of Ottman's music despite him using Williams' themes. The action highlight however is 'Rough Flight' where Ottman ingeniously toys with styles. Its a delicious mix of the superman theme rising, Williamsesque rhythmic action music, emotional music which has a scent of Horner more then everyone else and a choral climax, Ottman creates something here of musical voices all at once. 'Little Secrets / Power of the Sun' by then states the more emotional themes, watch out for the brief version of the love theme, Lois longing theme and the new emotional Superman theme rising with a trumpet to the main theme. If John Williams needed to step onboard to weave the themes together, then Ottman surely paid attention as to how. 'Bank Job' introduces aggressive percussive action music, stating Luthor's theme while the main love theme flourishes lovely in 'How Could you Leave Us', but watch out for the brief planet theme and the emotional Superman wanting to burst out but the choir doesn't let it, or Ottman that is. Its a great track of the burning love theme and the longing Lois theme intertwined in one another. A sign Ottman can surely mix themes together splendidly. 'Tell me Everything' has an X-Men feel of choir in the beginning while emotional piano and cello depart both Lois theme with the emotional theme in 'You're not One of Them'. The action is starting to rise again however in 'Not Like the Train Set' and the flutes of Luthor's theme signal the start of this menacing quart, with further impeding doom choir, a solo vocal and a suspense rise to get the blood boiling, ending the track with a heroic statement of the main theme, Ottman begins to insert more his own music into the score here. Sadly too in 'So Long Superman' which is a boring track with downbeat and somber music, and just parts of themes bringing some respite, like a good choral moment. And only the aggressive rhythm in 'The people you care for' is enough to mention the track here.

Luckily 'Saving the World' provides again the best of the best this score has to offer, namely a percussive Williamsesque version of Luthor's theme and the emotional theme rising to heights, only to be pushed aside by the main Superman theme in choral delight, truly a moment where Outman outshines himself. And with an eerie Brainstorm feel in 'In the Hands of Mortals' (again a Horner moment) we reach the track where Ottman throws it all together for the last time. 'Reprise / Fly Away' has the Lois theme, the emotional theme on a choral note, the love theme and the fanfare bringing the movie to its end. And you must praise Singer for giving Superman the same visual ending as all the others, with Superman flying over the world and smiling towards the camera, letting Williams theme do the rest. Truthfully, that's the word you can use about the whole Superman Returns concept, because it has been truthfully brought back to life. The letters in the beginning, the cast that resembles the original actor's magic and the music that got the room to bring so many themes back, while leaving ample space for John Ottman to insert his own musical ideas. This is not a Ken Thorne CD, here Williams' themes interact with Ottman's own ideas and I must confess, its done marvelously. Of course it could have been better but I was afraid it would have been worse. Because I only expected to hear the main theme and possibly the love theme but that I wasn't even sure off. But luckily Singer and Ottman had so much respect for the Superman franchise that it became the icing on the cake. Of course people will comment that Ottman can't equal John Williams but this is different. Here a total new Superman is born but with the flair of the classics still attached to it for good measure. John Ottman could then do the rest by inserting the legendary themes with his own music, making sure it all connects to one another without any hiccups. Superman Returns becomes therefore a pleasure for the new generation. Because they get in contact with classic themes and a classic score, and they hear the new generation of composers at work by intermingling the past with the present. And I'm sure it has surpassed many people's expectations because of the quality how it intermingles itself so gracefully, so strongly, so Superman like.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (3.48) Excellent Track

2. Memories (3.05)

3. Rough Flight (5.11) Excellent Track

4. Little Secrets / Power Of The Sun (2.47)

5. Bank Job (2.19)

6. How Could You Leave Us (5.47) Excellent Track

7. Tell Me Everything (3.12)

8. You're Not One Of Them (2.20)

9. Not Like The Train Set (5.10)

10. So Long Superman (5.29)

11. The People You Care For (3.26)

12. I Wanted You To Know (2.54)

13. Saving The World (3.10) Excellent Track

14. In The Hands Of Mortals (2.09)

15. Reprise / Fly Away (4.15) Excellent Track

Total Length: 55.10

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Ottman ===