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Music Reviews:

Superman Returns - Music by John Ottman

Warner Bros./Rhino – 2006

I got Goosebumps from the "Main Titles" until the last track "Reprise/Fly Away."  There is no doubt that this must be one of John Ottman's favorite scores.  Ottman gleefully dives into the themes originally established by John Williams and creates a soundtrack that is huge with soaring melody and action.

"Rough Flight" is a brilliant intense cut where Ottman directs the orchestra and choir to a climax.

The soundscape eases down for gentleness of "Little Secrets/Power Of The Sun."  The voices sing out like a supernova.

You can hear the disappointment and sadness of "How Could You Leave Us?"

The choir takes the orchestra to lofty heights within the first minute of "Tell Me Everything."

Ottman helps "You're Not One Of Them" sink into your heart.

Ottman moves the orchestra around like a master chess player in "Not Like The Train Set."  Strings, brass and woodwinds all bring something different to the table.  I like the military sound that eventually gives away to the "Superman Theme" which works every time I hear it.

Ottman creates a thriller feel to "The People You Care About."

The tenderness of "I Wanted You To Know" is infectious.

This is one of the best sequel soundtracks I've ever heard.  SUPERMAN RETURNS is where a composer took original composition used it with respect and then created more music that could have easily been in the first film as well.  This is not to say John Ottman didn't come up with his own slant, there is no question that John Ottman wrote a beautiful film score, he just grounded it within the feel of SUPERMAN.

Bravo!

www.johnottman.com

www.supermanreturns.com