Edmilson 7,436 Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 In both scores, the composers are heavily inspired by the musical traditions of Africa and South America, mixing traditional instruments and voices with an orchestra to create the sonic world of Wakanda and the Na'Vi. But who did it best? Ludwig Göransson with African music in Black Panther or James Horner with Native American music in Avatar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WampaRat 1,105 Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 I really enjoyed Avatar. It was epic culmination of all of Horner’s trademarks from the last decade at that time. He re packaged those in a way that somehow felt fresh (to me at least) But I fell completely in LOVE with Black Panther. I have been a fan of Goranssons work since “Community”. Creed showed me what he could do on a big Hollywood production. I adored his fusion of hip hop r&b elements with Conti-like orchestrations. I knew he would bring an equally inspired /fresh/heroic sonic palette to a gigantic Marvel movie with an Afro futuristic setting. And he didn’t disappoint me. I’m also in awe of him even getting the gig. I’d equate it to Elfman getting Batman 89’ after only a series of small quirky films. Love love love this score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Avatar is probably the biggest score letdown of my life. I was anticipating that one so much back in 2009. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,478 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I couldn't hum a single theme from Black Panther. Avatar's best moments are beautiful and lovely. I dislike the film but love the score. WampaRat and Joe Brausam 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WampaRat 1,105 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Agreed. Horner had a fantastic gift for lyrical beauty in his thematic writing. I think Goransson is capable of writing some great themes and I’m sure his style will evolve over the decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Easiest poll in a while Avatar is great! Black Panther is just another 2010s superhero score IMO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 2 hours ago, Disco Stu said: Avatar is probably the biggest score letdown of my life. I was anticipating that one so much back in 2009. The movie lost me. Obnoxious greenie propaganda disguised in blue. The score is nice though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Black Panther loses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Black Panther is a modern classic film in the same league as Jaws, Star Wars, Crazy Rich Asians, and Raiders. Gruesome Son of a Bitch and Fabulin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,495 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I love that we can have these super easy polls once in a while. AVATAR is a masterpiece, one of Horner's very, very best. And as such, one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. BLACK PANTHER is annoying, yet another Bil Conti Lite effort from the hack that is Göransson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 For me it's not as clear-cut: Avatar is one of Horner's late, very compromised works, full of shallow, wannabe-trendy blockbuster concessions - the only thing that keeps it afloat is the remarkable technical achievement (of mixing orchestra, synth and ethnic instruments). Content-wise, it's really no big shakes. Black Panther isn't anywhere near Horner's level of craftmanship, but it sounds more engaged/honest, even if that doesn't amount to much, either. Both are a solid 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,436 Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 4 hours ago, publicist said: Avatar is one of Horner's late, very compromised works, full of shallow, wannabe-trendy blockbuster concessions Agreed. This is why I was never much of an Avatar fan. It's orchestral writing is filled with modern stuff, which is disappointing for a composer like Horner. That said, there's a few great unreleased tracks that I do like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Some of the brass parts are great, but the real irony is of course the undeniable fact that Avatar is an almost verbatim copy of Mighty Joe Young, right down to its native chorus and African percussion. So Avatar is hailed for many things that Horner conceived for a saccharine Disney children adventure movie no one saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,436 Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 I don't think I've ever heard Might Joe Young, so I wouldn't know. But Horner being Horner, I don't doubt he did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSH 968 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Mighty Joe Young ain't a bad score... it's a by-the-numbers Horner effort which doesn't offend. I much prefer Deep Impact from the same year. Sorry, getting a bit off-topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,495 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I don't quite see the connection between MIGHTY JOE YOUNG and AVATAR, other than that they both have ethnic instrumentation. MJY is OK, but it's not even in the same league as AVATAR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,436 Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 hour ago, LSH said: I much prefer Deep Impact from the same year Deep Impact is a great score, and one of my favorites from Horner in the late 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 How times have changed. Back in 1998, everyone found it a crushing bore, which it is. The Sony album is atrocious. And that Thor doesn't hear the striking similarities between MJY and Avatar is a dear reminder that even though we've just changed years, some things will never change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Ludwig's effort is the more earnest one, and probably more authentic/intriguing integration of African colours/textures. But as unoriginal and comprised as it is, Avatar just easily has the better. more ambitious writing, which speaks more to Horner's superior skillset and experience when it comes to the orchestra. So Avatar makes the more entertaining package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellosh 3,418 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Avatar. I can't get into any Marvel score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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