Saw the movie over the weekend. The 3D works a treat on the big screen. A surprise cameo was fun and there are not one but two post end-credit sequences. Visually stunning and the film doesn't take itself too seriously.
First Marvel film I've seen that has a fanfare for the Marvel logo. I liked it.
Tyler's score really worked and was a highlight for me. Tyler uses the approach he used in Iron Man 3, and improves on it. Thor's Dark World was the first of the modern blockbusters I've seen where the score successfully combines strong themes and motifs using the current Zimmer/aural design style. To clarify: "successfully" in the sense that it happens regularly throughout the whole score, as opposed to just a fanfare or theme heard in the credits.
Theme is the goal. The "Zimmer approach/sound" is there to support the theme; not be the overall musical voice.
I recall finding Silvestri's Avengers and Captain America disappointing because - apart from the Avengers' fanfare and Capt America theme- the rest of the scoring just sounded like aural blah to me. There was plenty music in The Dark World to which I could listen that supported/augmented the film. Not once did I feel like saying: "turn off the horn of doom", or "can the strings please take their ADHD/OCD meds?"
Excluding Shore's Tolkien work and Williams I haven't bought a soundtrack to a modern movie in years. Maybe I'm getting too set in my ways to appreciate the sound that has become the norm? However, I'm buying a copy of Tyler's Dark World when I get the chance.
After this and Iron Man 3, it seems Marvel has found the right musical voice for it's films (but I hope they keep Silvestri's Avengers fanfare and Capt America march). I suppose letting Tyler be the first composer to give their logo a fanfare could be some sort of sign.
I'm anxious to see this movie, and I really like your way of describing the music. You make me want to hear this score because it has themes and interesting connective music between themes. Thanks.
Thanks muchly for the comment. The film is far from perfect, but that didn't stop it from being highly entertaining for me. I think the filmmakers knew they were filming a comic book and not a documentary
As for the music - don't expect Star Wars/Superman/Indiana Jones (which I consider to be the peak of superhero/comic book film scoring), but clearly the influence of those movies is there in the scoring of the film.
Look forward to yours and everyone else's thoughts on the music.
For me, it´s a great score. Marvel is finally paying attention to the music after the lackluster first two IRON MAN-scores.
Hiring Silvestri whose two scores were very good was the first step. Now Brian Tyler has succeeded to bring back thematic orchestral scores.
Looking forward to Henry Jackman doing a worthy score for the next Cap America, hopefully going for the 70´s conspiracy thriller vibe that the film is supposedly having.
