I know John Powell is regarded as one of the best (if not the best) composers to emerge from the music factory known as RC, but I've had a hard time getting to enjoy his music. I own HTTYD2 but couldn't make it past the 1st track.
I know, I kept playing the first track of HTTYD2 on repeat for the longest time too. But if you can get yourself to move past it, you'll find you want to play track 2 on repeat too. And the same for tracks 3-18. There is a whole world of excitement, majesty, and splendor beyond track 1. Spread your sonic wings and let fly!
Ever since I heard it in the fun film, I wanted the soundtrack of "Agent Cody Banks". When it came out I got it immediately. I don't know any other Powell but "Agent Cody Banks" is my most sincere suggestion. Wonderful tunes. This track made fall in love with that score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW0Tk58kXM
The Bourne Supremacy is his best IMO. One of the best sequel scores in general.
Couldn't agree more. It's a huge step beyond the first one, and it actually even revises the main theme, from what I remember, making it more intricate. The third one suffered greatly from rushed post-production. The album is not great and lots of the finished film is tracked with music from the first two films. I'm not sure how extensive Powell's involvement was with the final film, due to the personal tragedy he suffered that year, but the second score is definitely among his masterpieces.
His best work IMO are his animated scores. Though many around here disqualify them outright because they're scores for "cartoons". No matter if they sound like live action scores.
I don't know that most of them sound like live action scores, but I don't know why that should be a criterion, anyway. The "Dragon" movies aside, my favorite Powell animated scores were all co-composed with either Harry Greyson-Williams ("Shrek," "Antz," "Chicken Run") or Hans Zimmer (the first two "Kung Fu Panda" movies). His "Ice Age" scores are full of great moments, but they wear on me before long.
Matters only if they're overlooked on the assumption animated scores are all Mickey Mousey, or somehow musically less serious or complex.
I know, I kept playing the first track of HTTYD2 on repeat for the longest time too. But if you can get yourself to move past it, you'll find you want to play track 2 on repeat too. And the same for tracks 3-18. There is a whole world of excitement, majesty, and splendor beyond track 1. Spread your sonic wings and let fly!
Well, based on the hype, I decided to make a point of trying HTTYD2 again today, listening on headphones while catching up on paperwork. Wow, how wrong I was! I really enjoyed it, particularly the more introspective cues. I plan to load Hancock, HTTYD1 and X-Men:TLS off Deezer next. Then I think I'll look into I Am Sam, P.S. I Love You and Gigli next.
Depending on how the above pans out, I may even give Bourne a relook, based on Thor's post (still feel bad about that).
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and discussion. I'm really looking forward to Solo now (movie and score)!
He does wiff some scores, like the current Ferdinand, it is inconsequential musically or thematically.
Almost no one saw the film Pan in 2015 which Powell did a replacement score. I didn't get it fully when watching the film, but once I got the extensive Sony CD of the score I was impressed, it is a pretty great fantasy score with some rather massive orchestral pieces in it, and it has real themes to it. It is a delightful and adventurous score.
NOW this is something. I went to iTunes and listened to excerpts from the score (10 in all). Very impressive large orchestral pieces with chorus as well. Two action tracks slipped into animation mode with 'dance rhythms' percussion etc. Strange. Then back into 'symphonic orchestral' mode etc. I have ordered the CD on the back of what I have heard.
This, plus his serious symphonic output, is good news for the SW film. I hope Powell steps up to the fully symphonic plate with that one.
Pan is a fabulous score. A littler "modern" in style, so may not float everyone's boat. But I really like it. I wish the Star Wars/Rogue One films had this much excitement in them.
Depending on how the above pans out, I may even give Bourne a relook, based on Thor's post (still feel bad about that).
Don't feel bad. One man's jewel is another man's trash, or how it goes. But if I'd had the time, I'd assemble a playlist of the best cues from the trilogy (not counting LEGACY or the most recent movie -- while it was brilliant, the score was lackluster on that one).
He does wiff some scores, like the current Ferdinand, it is inconsequential musically or thematically.
Almost no one saw the film Pan in 2015 which Powell did a replacement score. I didn't get it fully when watching the film, but once I got the extensive Sony CD of the score I was impressed, it is a pretty great fantasy score with some rather massive orchestral pieces in it, and it has real themes to it. It is a delightful and adventurous score.
NOW this is something. I went to iTunes and listened to excerpts from the score (10 in all). Very impressive large orchestral pieces with chorus as well. Two action tracks slipped into animation mode with 'dance rhythms' percussion etc. Strange. Then back into 'symphonic orchestral' mode etc. I have ordered the CD on the back of what I have heard.
This, plus his serious symphonic output, is good news for the SW film. I hope Powell steps up to the fully symphonic plate with that one.
Michael, glad you like your Pan sample. It is an extensive score, and I even like the couple pop songs. I am still sticking up for Joe Wrights film as well, I think it was unfairly maligned, it is a really gorgeous large fantasy picture.
I guess I'm not a Powell fan. Aside from the "Chicken Run" cue, which I suspect may be more Harry Gregson-Williams than Powell, I'm not moved by anything else. Most of this stuff is baffling in it's praise!
I guess I'm not a Powell fan. Aside from the "Chicken Run" cue, which I suspect may be more Harry Gregson-Williams than Powell, I'm not moved by anything else. Most of this stuff is baffling in it's praise!
Anyone remotely familiar with John Powell's style can tell you that Building the Crate from Chicken Run is definitely him. I'm frankly really surprised if you like that cue that you don't like other work by Powell.
It doesn't get much attention, but I love Powell's score for ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS. The 7 minute end credit cue is a virtuoso orchestral showpiece
I've had a hard time getting to enjoy his music. I own HTTYD2 but couldn't make it past the 1st track. I've heard bits of the Bourne scores and find them insufferable (although they are probably fine in the films). Any suggestions on where to start?
Couldn't make it past the first track of HTTYD2? Powell's music is amazing. I can't wrap my brain around this, LOL.
I know John Powell is regarded as one of the best (if not the best) composers to emerge from the music factory known as RC, but I've had a hard time getting to enjoy his music. I own HTTYD2 but couldn't make it past the 1st track.
I know, I kept playing the first track of HTTYD2 on repeat for the longest time too. But if you can get yourself to move past it, you'll find you want to play track 2 on repeat too. And the same for tracks 3-18. There is a whole world of excitement, majesty, and splendor beyond track 1. Spread your sonic wings and let fly!
I've had a hard time getting to enjoy his music. I own HTTYD2 but couldn't make it past the 1st track. I've heard bits of the Bourne scores and find them insufferable (although they are probably fine in the films). Any suggestions on where to start?
Couldn't make it past the first track of HTTYD2? Powell's music is amazing. I can't wrap my brain around this, LOL.
Greg Espinoza
You clearly didn't read much further than my first post, did you?
Posted: Jan 17, 2018 - 4:33 PM By: JTWfan77 (Member)
I know, I kept playing the first track of HTTYD2 on repeat for the longest time too. But if you can get yourself to move past it, you'll find you want to play track 2 on repeat too. And the same for tracks 3-18. There is a whole world of excitement, majesty, and splendor beyond track 1. Spread your sonic wings and let fly!
Well, based on the hype, I decided to make a point of trying HTTYD2 again today, listening on headphones while catching up on paperwork. Wow, how wrong I was! I really enjoyed it, particularly the more introspective cues. I plan to load Hancock, HTTYD1 and X-Men:TLS off Deezer next. Then I think I'll look into I Am Sam, P.S. I Love You and Gigli next.
Depending on how the above pans out, I may even give Bourne a relook, based on Thor's post (still feel bad about that).
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and discussion. I'm really looking forward to Solo now (movie and score)!
I've subsequently been listening to a few other Powell scores, and have most definitely found much to appreciate (including *surprise* Bourne)!
