While Hollywood franchises often stick to one composer as a way to establish continuity, the three X-Men movies have gone to three different musicians. And yet, the sound has remained remarkably homogenous; in other words, if you enjoyed Michael Kamen and John Ottway's scores for the first and second installments, respectively, you'll get a kick out of what John Powell has come up with for the third. Though he adopted a more contemporary, electronic-inflected sound on actioners The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, here Powell goes for the full symphonic treatment. What's most interesting is his use of a 45-member chorus, which is surprisingly varied. On "Jean and Logan," the choir delicately hovers above the strings, almost out of reach, but on "Rejection Is Never Easy," it weaves in and out in a rather spooky manner, and it unleashes at full blast on the CD's climax, "Phoenix Rises," a six-minute-plus opus that at times sounds like a weird cross between sacred music and Philip Glass. This is one of the best big-budget scores of the year. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
X-travagant Score to the Third Installment:
As Michael Kamen provided a rushed, unfocused score to the first X-Men film and John Ottman provided a much better and more thematic score to the second installment, John Powell continues along the same lines as Ottman did, only much larger in scope. For X3, Powell beefed up the brass and percussion sections, providing a dynamic, heroic sound.
This album neatly divides into 2 halves, with the first half consisting mostly of suspense and ominous music with some outstanding orchestral and choral... more info
A good way to send off a great franchise!!:
I've been a huge fan of the X-Men movies and their soundtracks ever since I saw the first movie. When I saw X-Men: The Last Stand I have to admit that I didn't like the music. I found it to be too loud. When I went to see the movie a second time I was able to appreciate it a bit more and I found some themes very good. Once I bought the CD I fell in love with it. I still find some parts a bit too loud but overall it's good. My favorite theme in the entier CD is the Phoenix theme. (Played best in #14. Dark... more info
"Powell versus K-Men": The Last Stand !:
What else is left to say about this big great soundtrack album? An outstanding emotional score composed by one of the biggest in this business - John Powell. I agree with an earlier reviewer who said that all the action and emotion of the third movie installment of this Marvel series has been captured marvellous good in this play of violins and other great instruments on CD. The orchestral arrangements are the most powerful on this third score. While Michael Kamen still made a very good job and owns all of... more info
One of the Best Superhero Scores of All Time!:
I am ecstatic about this score. Powell has done some good ones, but this is his forte, (no pun intended.) I listen to this while I'm working out, while I'm reading, while I'm playing video games, while I'm in the car... It truly is a masterpiece. I place this on the same level as the Elfman hero scores, and ABOVE Ottman's recent efforts, (Which were actually quite impressive as well.) I cannot really compare it to Batman Begins, as the genres are very different. Buy this today! you will be amazed.
