Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End [Soundtrack]

Hans Zimmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B000P0J02E
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,189 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The music for this third chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a traditional, efficient action score that, due to the film's setting, occasionally incorporates light Asian touches. The popularity of Hans "Long John" Zimmer (all the credits in the CD's liner notes include pirate-themed nicknames, like the roll call in a Simpsons Halloween episode) isn't in doubt--he sure is one in-demand composer--but afficionados are divided about his artistic worth, and this score isn't about to reconcile them. Some think that Zimmer relies too much on his stable of composers and sticks to tried-and-true recipes; others admire his capacity to weave themes in and out of cues, creating a whole made of subtly interrelated parts. At World's End feeds both camps: Seven of his collaborators are credited with writing "additional music," and the album feels by-the-numbers at times; but those inclined to listen very closely will be rewarded by the way Zimmer sneaks in bits of two main melodies (especially variations on the first track, a pirate theme titled "Hoist the Colours" and cowritten by director Gore Verbinski) throughout. The use of electronics is so light as to be almost undetectable, which will please fans of a more organic orchestral sound. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Adventure-Packed As The Movie..., May 28, 2007

By 

Natalie (CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (Audio CD)

I'm a huge Zimmer fan, and he has really lived up to expectations with this soundtrack. The music is just amazing: I could listen to it forever, and still not feel that I know it from start to finish. It's full of twists and turns, epic melodies and silly moments that don't cease to entertain. And listening to it really does put you back into the movie - it messes with your head. In a good way!

I also love that there are some choral bits in this album (The Brethren Court, I Don't Think Now is the Best Time).

On to the piece-by-piece run-through:

1. Hoist the Colours - 9.5/10: I love this. The boy's song, the drums and other pirates in the background, all make for a beautiful, haunting way to start off the soundtrack. I only wish they'd included more of it on the CD.
2. Singapore - 7/10: It's not my favorite because it's rather slow in places, but eventually it moves into that adventurous, swooping music that you'd expect.
3. At Wit's End - 10/10: Brilliant! This serves as an intro to the action in the film. All the various themes are mixed in to make for beautiful, epic music.
4. Multiple Jack's - 7.5/10: This is really weird - it includes odd instrumental choices for a pirate movie. But it also works very well, because hey, it's about Jack Sparrow.
5. Up Is Down - 8/10: Upbeat and playful, it gives you hints of the main themes.
6. I See Dead People In Boats - 9/10: Slow and haunting. Love the string instruments.
7. The Brethren Court - 8/10: Bits of the chorus and occassional increases in tempo make it work.
8. Parlay - 7.5/10: A little odd as it slinks into a sort of cowboy-style, but it keeps you on your toes.
9. Calpyso - 8/10: It becomes stronger a little past half-way.
10. What Shall We Die For: 10/10: It's short and very powerful - one of my favorites.
11. I Don't Think Now Is the Best Time - 10/10: This is the biggie of the album. It manages to fit everything in for the climactic scene. Huge, grand, and epic.
12. One Day - 10/10: This contains a lovely new melody that I love. Bittersweet.
13. Drink Up Me Hearties - 9.5/10: The return to the original pirate theme is a great end to the soundtrack and movie.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zimmer's Full Broadside for "At World's End", May 29, 2007

By 

G M. Stathis (cedar city, utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (Audio CD)

Once again there have been comments that Hans Zimmer and director Gore Verbinski have relied on "film score by committee" for "Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End," including some input by Verbinski himself on "Hoist the Colours," and that is just fine because it all comes together with a full broadside both on the soundtrack recording and on the screen. This is easily the best of the three "Pirates" scores, and may be one of the very best efforts by Zimmer. To begin Zimmer integrates the main themes from the previous two films (and gives another tongue-in-cheek nod to Ennio Moricone), but he also presents a full fusillade of new themes. He also goes back to the basics of a pretty much full orchestra treatment (with chorus) which is exactly what you want in a swashbuckler. And indeed this is a fine swashbuckling and romantic effort from ominous beginning to heartrending end that runs right up the mizzen with Alfred Newman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Max Steiner, and of late even James Horner. This is a more complex and dynamic score than we have seen with the "Pirates" series that yields the necessary musical backdrop to a varied tapestry on the screen from the gallows hoisted in the Caribbean to Singapore (a great theme and treatment here), to the rolling seas (a soaring theme here especially in "What Shall We Die For"), with an amazing jig on a turning deck ("Up is Down") just for fun. But it all comes together with a broad theme essentially for Elizabeth and Will. Of course it frolics as well, Jack Sparrow is well represented musically and this provides the essential continuing thread that sews all of the film's tatters together, and may be setting the course for a fourth venture. Beautifully produced (with a fair and representative amount of the score) and very nicely packaged by Walt Disney Records.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drink Up, Me Hearties!! Drink Up!, May 22, 2007

By 

R. A. Van Nuys "RaeAnn" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (Audio CD)

I'm a long-time fan of Hans Zimmer. Needless to say I have been waiting with anticipation for this soundtrack after hearing previews and clips a couple weeks ago.

I believe that some people who were really in love with the first soundtrack's lightheartedness and hijinks may find this one a bit of a disappointment (and perhaps maybe not). While many of the old themes are used in the span of the entire CD, they are relied upon far less than the previous two, with the obvious exception of Jack's theme. We do, however, hear the old themes, but in different ways. Davy Jones' theme is indeed played on a music box in "At Wit's End" but then it shifts into a moving symphonic rendition. And the East India Trading Company theme, or Beckett's Theme, is given a new feel from the original dulcimer- an electric guitar ("Parley").

It is very epic- as is Hans Zimmer's way, I could hear cues from such movies as The da Vinci Code, King Arthur, and even a tone or two that reminded me of Gladiator. Regardless, this CD definitely has its own feel- there are parts of it that sound vast and whimsical, upbeat and playful, romantic and lighthearted, creepy and dank, and of course, silly and drunk, as is most noticeable in "Multiple Jacks."

The new romantic theme, which is introduced in "At Wit's End," is beautiful and flowing. In fact, it seems a bit surprising on this particular soundtrack, given the feel of the other two soundtracks. It has an ethereal flair to it, and is very orchestral and full.

However, I am loathe to compare this to the other two because of the fact, mainly, that the movie has not officially been released yet, and it's obviously an entirely seperate movie. I can already imagine the scenes in which these songs appear, but I also don't want to get a set image in my head to ruin the anticipation of the movie.

A refreshing and interesting addition, perhaps most of all, is the new pirate shanty (or "dirge," as it were), "Hoist The Colours." It is a short song, relying on drums, that begins with a lone child singing rather hesitantly, then the chorus grows as other pirates (I assume- what else would they be?) join in. This basic, and primary, theme is repeated several times throughout the soundtrack, usually at the climatic points of the songs. Along with this song, the Asian influences in the song "Singapore" (and others) offer a new touch of worldliness to this soundtrack, something that was not utilized before.

Every song on this CD is wonderful. My personal favorites are "Drink Up Me Hearties," "At Wit's End," and "I Don't Think Now Is The Best Time" because these three, in my own opinion, are incredibly dauntless.

The release of this SUPERB soundtrack only makes it worse to wait another 2 days for the movie. :)