Customer Reviews

X-Men: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been eagerly awaiting the MUSIC for the X-Men movie for almost as long as I have been awaiting the film itself. I was expecting large, epic orchestra performing heroic themes and fanfare. I bought the soundtrack and was surprised to say the least. I do not know the work of Michael Kamen very well, save his work in Die Hard, so when I popped the CD into my player I didn't know WHAT to expect. What I got was a bit awkward at first. Sort of a hyper-active David Arnold (On his James Bond scores) mixed with a somewhat less restrained Mark Snow (X-Files). After the first listen I was put into an awkward mood. I listened to it again and only then did I see it's brilliance. It is a breath of fresh air. An awesome style, unpredictable and utterly new. I had not heard anything like it. Of this style I can only say this, if the movie is this different and good, it'll be absolutley amazing. You have never heard anything like this before. It is a very cool blend of at least half a dozen styles, Electronica, Leit Motiff, Full Orchestra. To sum up my ravings, it is wild. Something of a mutated heroic action score, which is fitting given the films subject matter. All in all, a satisfying listen.

Of all chances, with Ottman not being able to compose and conduct the first film and Kamen stepping in, how did it become the perfect way for X-Men to come out in an ironic way?
Kamen came in when Ottman was to busy, yet Kamen came out with the best score to X-Men I could imagine. I just wish he was still alive.
You'll always hear about the title "Logan and Rogue", as you should because it is so pleasing to the ears and the most appropriate to the scenes in the movie.
Soundtracks always work the best in the movies, so you should really listen to the music in X-Men. You will then understand why Kamen took care of X-Men so well. Look at the scenes when Logan is fighting to save Rogue and his fights with Sabretooth, and Magneto confronting the X-Men and the police. And be sure to stick around for the end credits. I've heard from some of my peers that they liked the credits while they were conversing with each other. And every time I watch that movie or whenever I feel like it I listen to the end credits.
I swear you won't be disappointed with it especially if you respect Michael Kamen as much as I do. I find that he has his music true to the feelings of the movie, and that's what makes him so great.
Kamen died recently in November of 2003 due to multiple sclerosis at age 55.

Everyone wanted John Ottoman to score this film, including the filmmakers. I believe that is reason numero uno why not many people like this soundtrack. But what can I say, I like it. I enjoy Michael Kamen's (excuse me, K-Men sheesh) addition to the film. Tracks like Death Camp, Ambush, X-Jet, Logan and Rouge, and my favorite, Cerebro are very nice. But I like the other tracks as well. I think another reason many people don't like this score is because there are no "hummable" themes like with Batman. If you listen enough, you'll hear what I believe Kamen means to be the X-Men's theme. Most notably when Cyke and Storm arrive during Ambush, the majority of Cerbro (though re-mixed), during the battle songs, the first part of X-Jet, and other places in different tracks. And, without trying, after only hearing this CD twice (and the movie twice), I found myself humming the variations of the X-Men theme and Logan and Rouge. Very enjoyable. Also, this may just be me, but if you are able to identify the X-Men theme in these tracks, it sounds a bit like Kamen *ahem* lifted the theme to the cartoon series. Not that that's necessairily a bad thing. But once again, that could just be me.

First I love Michael Kamen's work. I think his Robin Hood score is one of the best ever written and I enjoyed most of his work. This cd is no exception. I do enjoy it, but there are better scores out there, especially in the super-hero department. Some of Kamen's tracks are excellent. The Death Camp beginning is great as is his theme for Logan and Rogue. HIs theme for the X-Men, while not as bombastic as Ottman's theme for X2 is still a fine if extremely underused piece of work. HIs villain themes and other filler music were not the best however. Unfortunately they are featured on almost every track of the cd. Also lacking is an end credits track to showcase the entire score. Overall the score to X-Men is not bad and in places is quite good, but in others it's simply unfullfilling.

The last ten years have been the testing of my patience for this movie to finally come to the silver screen, finally, it's here. During that time I have seen every rendition of music related to the X-Men, but none could compare to this. Michael Kamen is the perfect choice for a fierce, yet surprisingly beautiful, adaptation of just what the mutants should sound like. I've heard his past work and loved it...this is no different. The track "Mutant School" is especially melodic, while "Final Showdown" contains the edge needed for such a movie. The gem, however, is that of the track "Logan and Rogue", the most important relationship in the film. Not only does Michael Kamen capture the X-Men within his music, they're reborn.

So far, there have been two takes on the X-Men music: Michael Kamen's score and John Ottman's score. The differences between their scores are great, but the attitudes they created in their music are very similar. However, as far as which one comes out on top, Kamen does so, but this soundtrack may not do Kamen's score justice.
Kamen uses an up-to-date scoring style, with a bit of techno instruments mixed in with the orchestra. Ottman chooses to keep to a more traditional scoring style, as his idols are traditional musicians such as John Williams. This is a great difference in the scores of each film, but Kamen's style keeps more true to a theme such as X-Men. X-Men takes place in the future, and a techno style scoring keeps more true to that theme. In addition, when watching these films, you may feel the difference in this (for instance: in X-Men, use Magneto's stand off with the cops compared to X2's segment of Magneto in Striker's base and twisting the plot).
The attitudes that both composers create are very similar, and they are wonderful takes on the themes that reflect upon each character/group/event. So it's hard to say which theme is better over the other. However, the theme that is COMPLETELY different between the two scores is the theme for the X-Men, themselves. Kamen's theme for the X-Men is hard to describe, but it is very unique and fits the X-Men persona perfectly. Whereas Ottman's score is a very heroic theme that represents a superhero team. This is the trouble with Ottman's theme for the X-Men: it can be associated for any other superhero team, from the Avengers to the Justice League to the Fantastic Four (of which Ottman is scoring as well). It spares any uniqueness that could reflect the persona of the X-Men and just gives us an upbeat, superhero theme that amuses us. We're bound to hear a similar theme again from some other superhero franchise.
This X-Men soundtrack is really, as I feel, a wonderful score to such a franchise, but unfortunately, it's edited a bit much and leaves out some important instrumentals, which is evident once you listen to the end credits in the movie. Overall though, Kamen used all the necessary means to convey the X-Men universe in its grandest fashion, including the techno instruments and themes. But what truly makes this a solid piece for the X-Men is Kamen's style. This score could not have come to fruition without Kamen and his thinking. It's too bad that he died; I would have greatly anticipated his second take on the franchise if he was ever given the opportunity. But as a recommendation, otherwise, Ottman is a good choice; just PLLEEAASSE change or alter the X-Men theme to one more similar to Kamen's, then you're on the 'X-Men level.'

Excellent! I've always enjoyed Michael Kamen's work, especially his Opus for Mr. Holland. My favorite tracks are "Death Camp" and "Logan and Rogue". The first 2:30 of Logan/Rogue is a beautiful piece which I wish was longer. I also wanted to hear the End Title (which I find is being left off a lot of soundtracks along with the Main Titles). I wish Mr. Kamen would release an extended version of Logan/Rogue (if one exists). It was a great film and an excellent score. If you like good music (that tells the story of the film while you're listening) then go buy this soundtrack.

This CD is fantastic, but I lack of enough words to express how much I like the last track: "Logan and Rogue". It is just so beautiful, full of meaning, full of emotion that the CD is worthwhile just because of that song. If you haven't heard that song you should give it a try. After watching the movie I looked for the soundtrack just because heard that melody in one of the final scenes of the movie and i had to have it. =)

If you're only interested in exciting, fast-paced scores, this probably isn't for you, but if you're looking for something that conveys the true mood and themes of the movie, this is a definite must-have. The music is melodic without being obtrusive; exciting but not boistierous. With the ominous beginning of "Death Camp," which starts the movie off on a dark note, Kamen catches your attention without shouting "Hey, something bad's happening here!" Ambush is appropriately startling and fast-paced. Cerebro succesfully conveys the sense of grandness that inheritly went with that particular scene of the film. If you're looking for the main theme, it is probably most likely found in "X-jet," which is fast-paced and thrilling. Variations of the same theme can be found throughout the CD. The real gem of this score, however, is "Logan and Rogue," which appropriately conveys the emotions of the most intricate, complicated, and perhaps most touching relationship of the movie. All in all, Kamen did an excellent job of putting a great score with a great plot, and if you liked the movie, you'll love the soundtrack.

I loved the music...IN the movie. It just blended well and flowed well with the action, story, and characters. Especially the rousing X-Fanfare. But...the CD seems dissapointing for some reason..lackluster somehow. And where the heck is the final chess match scene music between Xavier and Magneto where the X-Fanfare comes back and reaches a crescendo leading into the end credits (which are also missing). I dunno who's fault that is...but....CHEAP! C'mon. Soundtracks are turning into Pop music CDs, with less and less music and tracks. And when you hear something in the movie that you can't wait to hear at home, it's downright annoying if not insulting not to get it.