James Horner - THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012) Soundtrack Suite

Since Danny Elfman's wonderful scores for Raimi's first two Spidey films, the world of scoring comic book characters has undergone a Hans Zimmer-inspired sea change. Out have gone colourful themes, out has gone outward expression of musical emotion; in has come a lot of texture and a whole load of angst. It seems that having a man dress in a colourful costume go round performing gravity-defying feats of crime-busting is absolutely fine, but accompanying him with any hint of melody while doing so -- well, that would just sound silly. It is therefore a huge surprise to find James Horner attached to The Amazing Spider-Man -- quite apart from the fact that it's a complete departure from his usual earnest Oscar-bait-but-no-Oscar fare (and according to one interview he took quite some convincing by his friend Webb to take the film on), the fact that he's an old-school film composer -- the kind that film critics just love to hate these days, daring to inject music that actually has something to say into films -- it's a surprise to find him here.
As it turns out, Horner's score is indeed very old-school -- a throwback to those pre-Batman Begins days -- so I imagine listeners will fall into one of two camps -- some will punch the air in delight at the emergence of what they will see as "proper film music" getting a chance to shine in a film like this -- others will shake their heads at how old-fashioned it all is. Guess which camp I'm putting my tent up in. (My shoulder's come out of its socket, I've punched the air with such force.) There's something in this score that has been absent for so long from any of these films -- a proper, rounded, developed character theme. Its noble heraldry is a joy when first revealed over the opening credits, a joy when it blasts triumphantly from murkier passages in the action sequences, a joy when Horner uses it as the basis for several key dramatic set pieces but takes it off in unexpected directions.
Any film composer who has notched up well over a hundred scores (as James Horner has) will almost inevitably offer up some familiar-sounding parts in any new work. Because of his reputation, this particular film composer will of course come under greater scrutiny. I am surprised -- and pleased -- to report that while there are a few recognisable faces from the past, the music here mostly sounds fresh and new. The greatest surprise of all is that Horner resisted the temptation to depict the film's villainy with his patented four-note "danger motif". This is in fact the first score of his in a very long time (that I can remember, in any case) that doesn't feature that oh-so-familiar musical phrase at all. (If you ask me, Horner should be given some sort of Special Achievement Oscar for managing to write a score without it.)
I predict a really mixed reaction to this one. Those who have become completely attuned to the modern ways (or indeed never even knew the previous ones) will probably find it as strange that a film like The Amazing Spider-Man could contain music like this as I find it strange that a film like Iron Man could contain its laughable attempt at music. I daresay various reviews of the film will direct predictably cretinous venom at Horner for putting such heart-on-sleeve music in a film in 2012. If the film does well then perhaps -- just perhaps -- coupled with Alan Silvestri's own admirably old-fashioned score for the phenomenally successful The Avengers -- we might see a bit of a turning point. I won't hold my breath; instead I'll offer the vacuous quip that Horner has spun a tantalising web here, one which doesn't work absolutely throughout the gargantuan run time of the album, but which feels like a three-course-meal in a world mostly serving up McScores. (James Southall)
Source for the description: www.movie-wave....

[@nicoladifeo2628]

The best Spider-Man? Yes.

[@ArmandoGarcia-ci7el]

James Horner bring a dark tone yet optimistic to Spider-Man, RIP James

[@paulamariagomezlemus168]

James Horner , i will miss you, rest in peace...

[@091MW2]

THEY NEED THIS PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE MOVIES.

[@bergplay1]

13:25 best part

[@DanStormVO]

The thing I love about the whole soundtrack that's different is that the main two themes are always incorporated into the track somehow, and it's awesome! I was struggling to think of a way to describe it all, but your description sums it up well- Old School :D

[@VallaMusic]

he shoots, he scores! the main theme is a winner :>)

[@johnprudent3216]

SchnurpselsBacke thanks for sharing this suite. I was pretty surprised myself to see Horner attached to this film. You're absolutely right about the music scores for films of this type today. They seem to avoid melody and emotion. This Spiderman score features a lot of the qualities I like about Horner's work. It has touches of the epic grandeur of scores from the Star Trek films he worked on, and in some parts there's this otherworldly feel to it- like what he did in Avatar. Thanks again for sharing this. Oh and P.S. I'm no music expert, but I do know that 4 note motif you referred. Around 3:18 it sounds like he just about stopped short of using it LOL.

[@Buuuuuutch]

Moment at 3:57 is when I realised watching the movie for the first time it was definitively James Horner. There's a very similar scaling in Star Trek 2. Great, great composer!!

[@dancecrewqueen]

one of my favorite composers, I love his work.

[@mikedaniel7195]

I cant wait to get the movie i already pre ordered it

[@rosestlouis1994]

I got chills

[@robotstookmypodcast]

James Horner did score THE ROCKETEER.

[@eironbat96]

Too awesome

[@091MW2]

would you stop arguing? batman, spiderman, and any other superheros are awesome. theyre all superheros. period.

[@SuperHbro]

Love this music and the movie

[@FruitFly14]

Its wherever your mind takes you;)

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

The track is called "Rooftop Kiss" on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. :)

[@kristjanfrostibjarnason8932]

Spider-Man wears spandex, Batman wears bulletproof rubber.

[@091MW2]

the tower thing ontop of the building where that big gun/cannon thing was placed.

[@DeadlyAlienInvader]

Untold story my ass!

[@Nalygirl]

Nice compilation, as Always, SchnurpselsBacke, good to hear them again! I tried to upload something with Jerry Goldsmith's score (for less than a minute), and I got a WMG email hoping to persuade me to use other material for my soundtrack. :(

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

It´s called "Promises/End Titles" on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. :-)

[@nicksmi56]

Doesn't quite match the epicness of the old score but this impresses too

[@dylanmata396]

1:51 👌👌

[@hylianlink23]

me gusta bastante el sonido del minuto 3:30 buen sountrack

[@tetoma192]

Saving New York

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

This is "Becoming Spider-Man", Track 2 on the soundtrack album.

[@daliborgrubacevic]

This is the absolute truth. All scores in the last 7-8 years for action movies (sci-fi, horror, even drama) sound Zimmer-ish. Disaster. There is no themes any more. Where is it leading? It seems that Williams or Goldsmith's way of composing is outdated. Maybe one day everything returns to themes and music really!

[@lecitadin69]

... The Avengers actually has a super nice old school theme, and very catchy - and I heard Whedon saying that he wants old school themed based scores for his films, because, well.. that's what they need. There's hope...

[@Kenoi_]

Dalibor Grubacevic check out men are still good, from batman v superman.

[@Joaovictor-rh7ox]

musica sem explicação...é muito epica essa musica

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

@jackipirata, it´s called "Promises / End Title". :-)

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

The track´s called "Lizard At School". :)

[@sebastianvargas250]

3:24

[@091MW2]

11:12 reminds me from es posthumus' unstoppable

[@FruitFly14]

theres a basketball scene in the movie where Peter embarrasses Flash Thompson and where he breaks the hoop.

[@mikewill9511]

Best Original Score nominee, anyone?

[@DiegoRedeemedLover]

I really don't understand why Webb is replacing Horner (that commentary below the video is amazing) with Hanz Zimmer for TASM 2. Why would they want to lose these brilliant, heartwrenching, and soaring themes that Horner has given this movie? I hope it's still a rumour, but at the moment I am so disappointed since I wanted more of Horner's music in these movies!

[@mozartcastellanosGK]

Horner himself dislike the sequel's approach, There you go.

[@091MW2]

only in this version lol. i hope pete makes a new suit w/ different material

[@nicoladifeo2628]

4:06 / 7:52 / 9:54 / 12:24 / 13:25

[@gilipoyu]

he is so cute

[@optimusprimeavengers]

it's Promises

[@MrSamWilson1]

2 dislikes? Electro and Rhino getting in early...

[@nitrodudezoom]

I remember when the trailer came out, and everyone said this would be shit. Well. Don't you feel ridiculous now?

[@Suedeash]

Army-grade Kevlar, if you're relating to Nolan's films.

[@gj2002.]

Muito bom ela gruda na cabeça

[@nitrodudezoom]

Andrew Garfield has so much more talent than Toby McGuire

[@Passion4musique]

I love James Horner's work but I find for Spiderman it was a bit too clean/friendly. Danny Elfman had this interesting touch in his music. It carried me far...this is nice but I personally didnt feel moved by this soundtrack.

[@MisterKatoxX]

A nadie mas le recuerda esta musica a power rangers la película?

[@johngreat1000]

Whats the theme when peter saying ''Take it'' to flash in the school gym?

[@bergplay1]

13:05

[@DeadShot1307]

Made a suite for the sequel- if anyone is interested go check it out :)

[@SchnurpselsBacke]

It´s attached to your imagination? ;)

[@joshfinche]

1.50 whats the song for this?

[@eleanorhudson5062]

what is the music at 7:55? :)

[@dman16891]

what is the name of the track at the 2;04 mark?

[@weezy4eternity]

whats the name of the track at 12:10

[@jackipirata]

whats the name of the track 2:00 ? :)

[@snowber-6567]

On 3:31 what's the names music ?

[@091MW2]

what about at 1:50? thanks

[@miasophi]

James Horner.... the biggest self-plagiarist ever.... listening to this soundtrack you gonna think that he caught a bit of many other soundtracks that he did in the past, included Titanic, and mixed it all together. Talking just about Titanic, there's a lot of Titanic's soundtrack resemblance here, in the first kiss scene is exactly the same tune of Jack and Rose's. My theory about him is that he really did compose 3 different soundtracks and then he just mix a peace of each and "creates" the new ones...

[@TheHypeEngine]

Yawn.

[@wdenegri]

Great Soundtrack, Bad Movie

[@visionaerie]

i kind of...agree. at least mediocre. i will just say that the lizard just didnt look ...well,LIZARDY enough. i had heard the designs for the lizard were supposed to b reminiscent of the steve ditko version of the character. but he just looked like a slestak from land of the lost. but the horner soundtarck. wow. i find myself just listening 2 it when i get up in the morning. the melodic structure is fascinating. it's just beautiful music.....

[@bergplay1]

12:08