Elfman vs Zimmer

[David Coscina 3]

So you can insert whatever score you think is their best and then compare them. For me, Elfman's best will always be Edward Scissorhands. It's an amazing score that influenced the industry so much (how many heavenly choirs did we hear after this? A million). Nightmare Before Christmas is a very close second. Brilliant score. Batman is also amazing. HULK opening credits are seriously in contention for Best Credits of the Decade in my books. And I love what he did with Brad Fiedel's Terminator theme in Salvation.

Zimmer has done some things I admire and enjoy. I like The Thin Red Line. I really enjoy parts of Last Samurai. Parts of As Good As it Gets. Thelma and Louise is awesome. I don't care for his bruckeheimer sound like POTC and the like though. And with Zimmer, it's always moments rather than entire scores. This is why Elfman gets my vote. I can listen through a score of his. I also love his concert work Sereneda Schizophrana. Even something fun like Midnight Run is a blast. Oh, and I think Oingo Boingo is better than The Buggles too.

Elfman rocks!

[Ollie 859]

I'm not even going to waste the time to write out something, you know my answer.

[ChuckM 1]

Wow. Really? I like a lot of Zimmer's music, but I can't think of anything of his that beats Elfman. This is like asking Zimmer vs Williams.

[Diego 21]

Elfman by far, he's one of my favorites composers. I only have a couple of Zimmer's scores, unlike others I don't really have anything against him and if I like something from him I would probably buy it but normally his scores just don't do it for me.

In terms of actual scores, my favorite Elfman is Nightmare with Batman a close second. From Zimmer I only have The Simpsons and Sherlock and I have heard some other stuff from him, but there's no comparison really

[Morlock 9]

Elfman's Mission: Impossible by a long stretch, but that's because no one score by Zimmer stands out as obviously my favorite (Hannibal comes closest, I think). If it was their whole output, it'd probably Elfman by an inch. If its by which one excites me more at the moment, though, Elman by a mile.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Now it's my turn to say: are you freakin' kidding?

My favourite Elfman is Sleepy Hollow, which is easily on par with anything Williams would've come up with, and knocks Zimmer out of the window IMO.

[crocodile 6,294]

I'm almost embarassed to state the obvious.

Karol

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Wonder who that one fella who voted for Zimmer is.

[Swordfish392 3]

Now thats one clear result LOL!

[crocodile 6,294]

Wonder who that one fella who voted for Zimmer is.

Umm... you?

Karol

[Charlie Brigden 5]

In terms of quality, Elfman beats Zimmer down.

In terms of favourites... Hans wins the day as I love BLACK RAIN (otherwise known as BATMAN BEGINS BEGINS). But as this is quality, not favourites, Elfman wins it.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

[Charlie Brigden 5]

If the poll was 'Which one looks more like a serial killer?' Elfman would win by a mile.

[Ollie 859]

Elfman wins on being married to Brigdet Fonda.

That alone trumps Zimmer's music.

[Datameister 1,394]

I have much more respect for Elfman as an artist. (Even though his well of originality seems to be getting quite dry in recent years.) I've certainly heard Zimmer scores that I enjoyed more than I enjoyed certain Elfman scores, though.

I don't think I'll vote. I'd vote for Elfman if I did, though.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.

[ChuckM 1]

There are now four votes for Zimmer, yet I don't see the comparative scores listed anywhere.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Danny Elfman will never compose something as haunting, heartbreaking, or visceral as The Thin Red Line.

[Datameister 1,394]

Nearly everything Elfman has written is more haunting, heartbreaking, and visceral than The Thin Red Line. And you know I say that as someone who doesn't dismiss Zimmer scores flippantly.

[indy4 152]

I like them both, but Elfman's Edward Scissorhands is the winner. It'd beat quite a few Williams scores.

[Datameister 1,394]

Y'know, I'm realizing I don't really have a favorite Elfman score yet. I like bits and pieces of numerous scores, but I haven't felt a strong sense of any one score being his masterpiece. Of course, I wouldn't necessarily call anything Zimmer writes a masterpiece, but I can easily point to my two favorite Zimmer scores - The Lion King and the first Pirates. I know, I know.

[Red 73]

As if it needed to be stated, Danny Elfman.

[Quintus 5,391]

James Horner.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Danny Elfman will never compose something as haunting, heartbreaking, or visceral as The Thin Red Line.

I don't understand why this score is considered 'great' in Zimmer's catalogue. For me, the album splits between cues such as Coral Atoll and Village, and the more rhythmic, harsher cues such as Journey to the Line (one of the most boring and droning cues I've ever heard) and Air. I rarely listen to the latter half.

[Wojo 2,442]

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure FTW

[Romão 1,931]

Now it's my turn to say: are you freakin' kidding?

My favourite Elfman is Sleepy Hollow, which is easily on par with anything Williams would've come up with, and knocks Zimmer out of the window IMO.

Sleepy Hollow is also my favorite Elfman score

[David Coscina 3]

Danny Elfman will never compose something as haunting, heartbreaking, or visceral as The Thin Red Line.

I don't understand why this score is considered 'great' in Zimmer's catalogue. For me, the album splits between cues such as Coral Atoll and Village, and the more rhythmic, harsher cues such as Journey to the Line (one of the most boring and droning cues I've ever heard) and Air. I rarely listen to the latter half.

It's a very hypnotic score and it's not bad at all. But I wouldn't put it up against some of Elfman's best. Heck, compare Dick Tracy with A League of Their Own since they both use period jazz big band and Elfman still comes on top with his ode to Gershwin. I can't remember the cue but there's one terrific piece where there's an odd meter like 7/8 or something. Great, now I need to go back and listen to all of my Elfman. That's a lot. My Zimmer collection would take about 2 hours to listen to in its entirety.

[Ollie 859]

Danny Elfman will never compose something as haunting, heartbreaking, or visceral as The Thin Red Line.

You mean Elfman will never compose anything as insipid as that overrated tripe.

[Quintus 5,391]

I think just the opening cue to Batman Returns is better than all of The Thin Red Line. And I like Zimmer's deservedly appreciated score.

[gkgyver 1,638]

Batman Returns' opening titles are amongst his best work ever.

I realise the score was recorded in a small room and the sound seriously lacks depth, but in this cue, this just adds to the atmosphere somehow.

[Quintus 5,391]

It's some of greatest gothic score writing ever.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

It is absolutely awesome. The only negative thing I can think about it is that it's attached to the movie.

[Wojo 2,442]

I've actually never heard this score outside the film, which I saw but once, and only remember that I didn't like it. I'll have to keep my eye out for the album.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

A malfunctioning vacuum cleaner sounds better than Zimmer.

[crocodile 6,294]

It's some of greatest gothic score writing ever.

Yes. And it needs remastering/expansion. Badly.

Karol

[Ollie 859]

If Warner Bros is willing to play ball I know LaLaLand would love to release them.

Selena's theme from BR is twisted and lovely at the same time.

[Romão 1,931]

I adore Batman Returns as well. But is there a lot of music missing from the cd? I don't seem to recall any notorious unreleased bits from either Batman or Batman Returns (except perhaps for the moment Batman transforms his cape into a glider).

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Here's a comprehensive run-down of what's released and what's unreleased.

[Ollie 859]

As far as the first Batman film is concerned, there are a few statements of the Batman theme I would like to have on the CD. The moment he comes through the ceiling in the art gallery and rescues Basinger and some of the cut music from the Batwing sequence would be nice.

Plus the disc could use some remastering. It's mixed too low.

My main wish is for a score release for Batman & Robin.

[Trent B 317]

This is a no-brainer...Elfman is clearly better than Zimmer. I'll take Elfman's Spider-Man scores over anything Zimmer has written.

Edit: I'm with Mark O about Batman. Hopefully La-La Land can get a complete version of the score released. It definitely deserves it, a lot of great moments I would have liked to have on the CD, especially "The Batwing's Approach".

[Diego 21]

As far as the first Batman film is concerned, there are a few statements of the Batman theme I would like to have on the CD. The moment he comes through the ceiling in the art gallery and rescues Basinger and some of the cut music from the Batwing sequence would be nice.

Plus the disc could use some remastering. It's mixed too low.

My main wish is for a score release for Batman & Robin.

That part where Batman comes trough the ceiling is awesome, even my brother likes it. I remember when I bought the CD, which was my first non-Williams purchase, my brother asked: "Put that part where he comes from the ceiling, put that part where he comes from the ceiling!". And of course, normal people don't understand that not all the music is included in most soundtracks, so he just gave me this look like "why would you buy it, then?"

Being recorded in England and with interest from LLL and good disposition from Warner I am hopeful though.