AQUAMAN.

 

Another superhero bursts onto our cinema screens this December, AQUAMAN has finally made into a film which is all his own, the movie has already had a lot of mixed reviews and comments, but it is the music score I am here to review, sadly I was not a fan of WONDER WOMAN also composed by AQUAMAN composer Rupert Gregson Williams, although saying this I have to admit that I do lean more towards his music for AQUAMAN more, the music has a proudness and at times anthem like sound to it, but there are also interludes which are synthesised or given over to electronics, that for me personally just don’t really hit the mark, In fact I thought whilst listening, this is more like Vangelis or even Giorgio Moroder, ok both are talented composers and producers but I felt that a superhero really needed more of a super hero sounding score, what ever that maybe? Don’t get me wrong I am in no way saying that AQUAMAN is a bad score, because it is a very likeable listen and I think I can see where the composer was coming from when scoring the move. But at the same time I am thinking that it is lacking something, it is powerful enough that is evident throughout its running time via the driving strings and the thundering percussive elements and there are also some interesting brass flourishes that accompany much of the action led pieces within the score. But a THOR or A SUPERMAN I do not think it is, or will ever be. It does have a richness and an abundance of powerfully written pieces and also has a handful of softer and lilting cues which compliment and support each other. The composer in my opinion is also slightly more inventive on this score than what he was when he scored WONDER WOMAN. Combining the more traditional sounds of the orchestra with that of synths and choir. The track THE LEGEND OF ATLAN, being a prime example of inventive and action themed writing, also track number 8 SWIMMING LESSONS utilises many of the sections of the orchestra which are enhanced and supported by synths, making it superbly elevating and hauntingly melodic. Maybe not a what I would call theme laden score but one that does create interesting and rhythmic passages. Lets put it this way when you leave the cinema you wont be humming or whistling the theme from the film, but the score supports. Underlines and punctuates the movie throughout, giving it a greater depth and also a more imposing persona.