Sandor

Schindler's List

Titles for real this time or bogus again..?
 
https://www.google.nl/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/starwarsspeculation/comments/7fkslu/spoilers_the_last_jedi_soundtrack_titles/
 
 

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

I’ll wait until the New Year to order this but I’m glad he’s getting released!
 
Tuesday

The first TV spot with actual Star Wars music..?

I honestly like every John Williams score I've ever heard.
 
 
I think one of his strengths as a composer is even when the subject doesn't inspire him, the music is still worthwhile
 

That plays a part for sure, but it dawned on me that TFA was also met with disappointment since the modernistic rearrangements of Williams' themes from the trailers weren't part of the score and that score wasn't a departure from Star Wars lore.
 
Now again I'm talking about a large part of the film going crowd, not everyone. I know we were highly pleased by TFA and wouldn't want that trailer crap on the album or in the movie, but I'm talking millions vs. thousands here.
 
For millions, the trailers had an 'epicness' that traditional scoring can't achieve.
 
Cutthroat Island used to be 'epic'; now it's Junkie XL.

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

This is said about the music in the first 10 minutes:
 
”The music is brilliant. It reminds me of the Original Trilogy in that it sounds a bit more retro in quality rather than being overly sharp. It specifically reminds me of some of the Bespin music.”

You got me Sherlock.

Now that I've had time to ponder over things, I've come to the following conclusion.
 
The critic from the more general audience is focussed firstly on Elfman's disregard for the established DC themes and overall soundscape, the work of Zimmer/RPC. The music was part of the experience for people and they miss the themes and feel of the previous scores.
 
If any composer had disbanded the thematic material like that, and that includes RPC composers, the critic would probably be the same.
 
With Elfman however, people take it up a notch and link Elfman's more traditional sound and style of writing to the lack of use of thematic material from MoS, BvS, WW, etc.
 
Suddenly, Elfman gets slammed for being 'more of a classical composer', 'too melodic', 'old fashioned', 'a thing from the 80's', 'producing Christmas sounds', etc. 
 
And this is not coming from nerds like us who sit behind a computer all day. Nerds in general know a thing or two about film music and wouldn't refer to it as 'Christmas sounds'. That's what (more) 'normal' people do and -yes, yes- they post on social media, YouTube, etc. a lot. The internet hasn't been the sole home to nerdy folks like us for a long time...

The best anyone can hope for is a soundtrack album with extended pieces. Like with 'Lincoln' that hardly figured in the movie.

I think many reviewers associate Williams too much with instant iconic themes and will always think of Star Wars, E.T., Jurassic Park or Indiana Jones, even when he writes for an intimate drama.
 
If they aren't humming the main theme after seeing the film, they reason the score is boring and that -since it's John Williams- it should have stood out.
 
A John Williams score for this kind of film can be very effective nonetheless and I found that the music -like with Lincoln- often presents layers, details and depth, only to be discovered upon repeated listenings.
 
The score for The Post will likely be much more rewarding that these initial reviews indicate.

I think many reviewers associate Williams too much with instant iconic themes and will always think of Star Wars, E.T., Jurassic Park or Indiana Jones, even when he writes for an intimate drama.
 
If they aren't humming the main theme after seeing the film, they reason the score is boring and that -since it's John Williams- it should have stood out.
 
A John Williams score for this kind of film can be very effective nonetheless and I found that the music -like with Lincoln- often presents layers, details and depth, only to be discovered upon repeated listenings.
 
The score for The Post will likely be much more rewarding that these initial reviews indicate.

1. I don't blame Zimmer. I think music -including film music- can and should be as diverse as possible, with Zimmer just doing something different than -let's say- Williams or Goldsmith. That's perfectly fine. When I said he 'hijacked' epicness, I don't mean he did this deliberately or something like that. It's just a hyperbole.
2. (Where's 2?)
3. Yes, yes.
4. 'Christmass sounds' refers to orchestral music in general. It's a common association from millennials.
5. Yes.

I agree with most -if not all- you wrote.

As we impatiently await the two new scores, it is a week to be thankful for what we have.  Today, listen to Tributes.  What a mature, profound, yet fun composition.  The strings at times recall the Essay written 30 years prior, but with a greater liveliness.  Also, this is a piece where Williams absolute command of all the sections of the orchestra working together.  Why on earth does this not have a commercial release? 

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

That plays a part for sure, but it dawned on me that TFA was also met with disappointment since the modernistic rearrangements of Williams' themes from the trailers weren't part of the score and that score wasn't a departure from Star Wars lore.
 
Now again I'm talking about a large part of the film going crowd, not everyone. I know we were highly pleased by TFA and wouldn't want that trailer crap on the album or in the movie, but I'm talking millions vs. thousands here.
 
For millions, the trailers had an 'epicness' that traditional scoring can't achieve.
 
Cutthroat Island used to be 'epic'; now it's Junkie XL.

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

I was recently struck by the general outcry of negative response to Danny Elfman’s score for Justice League.
 
I’m aware that Elfman’s score hasn’t received a warm welcome within the film music community, citing its lack of cohesion and generic approach, but the ‘general outcry’ I’m refering to is coming more vocally from the average filmgoer, people in their teens and 20’s, an audience that has no historic connection with traditional symphonic scoring -or film music for that matter- and have been molded by cinema since the dawn of the new millennium.
 
The same people that were disappointed by the soundtrack of The Force Awakens, because the ‘most epic music’ wasn’t on it, refering to the music from the trailers.
 
Somewhere along the way Hans Zimmer and his RCP-henchmen have hijacked ‘epicness’ and redefined it for a new generation.
 
This has become fully apparant after reading the talkback on Elfman’s score for Justice League. I know that talkback on the internet in general should be read with the right amount of sense, reason and caution, but in this case I feel the overwhelming negative reactions do indicate something: the times have clearly changed.
 
 
“It might work in the film but didn't really enjoy it, although there are definitely some great parts.  It might take having seen the film to enjoy it more.  Elfman seems to be more of a classical movie score kind of guy while Zimmer has a more modern and experimental sound of his soundtracks, at least the ones I've listened to.”
 
“Holy shit. How can you take an epic Wonder Woman theme that was perfect......and fuck it up. Its like Wonder Woman on ice........FUCK”
 
“There is no Hans Superman's Theme in that soundtrack?!? WTF! This is to much melodic! We want percussions like Zimmer And XL did! That's becauce of Joss Wedon all of that shit! Snyder was going to keep Zimmer and XL... Im very sad! Even the Wonder Wonder Theme is not very good as it was in the previous movie! Im a fan of superman and he's new theme (Zimmer) is not in the soundtrack! WTF!”
 
“Christmas sounds.”
 
“This senile old narcissist ruined everything, this is the worst soundtrack in WB. He is using parts of avengers theme, hulk theme, spider-man theme and those old and obselete 70s and 80s themes and they dont belong here, and he is totally ignoring already established themes specially far superior MoS Superman theme. Instead of finishing trilogy on high note this fucking idiot 'composed' soundtrack like we are still in the 80s. Fuck you elfman and fuck whoever brought you to do this.”
 
“WTF IS THIS!? Im sorry but burn this soundtrack. Looks like Danny just ruined JL I haven't heard a good track yet. Theres no feel 😥”
 
“Warner execs, Disney shills, Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Danny Elfman ruined a great franchise. Bravo. You killed the JL.”
 
“Give us back Zimmer and JunkieXL, Fuck Elfman”
 
 
Now this is just a grab out of the plethora of reactions given by people that are indicative of the same notion: the symphonic film score -at least for this kind of film- is becoming a thing of the past.
 
The lukewarm reception to Elfman’s score doesn’t limit itself to the filmgoing public that turns these franchise installments into multi-million dollar hits (or flops), but is also expressed by esteemed critics.
 
 
“Meanwhile, gurgling away in the background is Danny Elfman’s score, which grabs at John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, Elfman’s own Batman motif from the Tim Burton years, and Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s Wonder Woman cello riff, in a panicky fumble for something, anything, the audience might recognise or like. The result, as if it even needs to be said, is an incoherent din, and a total mismatch for Snyder’s images.”
 
 
It seems that the time when big blockbuster spectaculars were dominated by a symphonic sound is over. The modernistic approach of Zimmer has become the popular norm. 
 
And undoubtly the soundtrack of The Last Jedi will be a letdown since the music from the trailers won’t be on it.
 
A traditional film score is considered old-fashioned, too melodic and –the most striking description perhaps- ‘Christmas sounds’.
 
Oh boy.

I'm guessing none of these guys are big Home Alone fans.

@Sandor Thank you for an interesting post.
 
To me, it seemed well researched and thought through. I’ve had similar discussions with my friends. The trend - in terms of symphonic sound and consistent leitmotifs - is not in our favor.
 
I must point out that I haven’t heard the score for TJL but was glad to hear of the return of JW’s Superman theme and Elfnan’s Batman theme.
 
Good riddance to Zimmer’s awful Superman theme!
 
Personally, I don’t like the Wonder Woman theme, but maybe it’s more the performance I don’t like (what’s the reason in having an electronic guitar be the voice of an ancient goddess). I’m looking forward to Elfman’s version on cello. Good or bad, at least it’s consistent.