"Before I get started, I must confess, I loved the soundtrack to the first movie so this isn't meant to bash it, but most of the music from it was completly disjointed and didn't have much of a melody. I feared the same would be true of the sequel's score until I saw John Ottman attatched as composer. I had been a fan of his work before and I knew that if anyone could bring the kind of grandiose score that X2 needed, it would be he. Luckily, he doesn't dissapoint. Gone are the overt and often abrasive electronic sounds of the first score, Mr. Ottman opted for a more traditional orchestra approach instead. The album kicks off with Suite from X2, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the music used for the closing credits. (Don't quote me on that, though.) It begins with the wonderful main theme for X2 which sounds much better than the original X-Men theme, and then from there it takes us through some of the other themes from the movie, then returns at the end to the X2 theme. The one problem I had with this album was that the tracks were out of order from their place in the film. I've yet to understand why, since the mass adoption of CDs, soundtracks are still arranged in strange ways. However, this turns out to be a non-issue since the flow of the album seems to work better this way. All of the tracks seem to naturally flow from one to the next, despite being out of order. This makes for a wonderful listening experiance. I can't really say much more about this album, it's just wonderful. Some of my friends have said, "Why do you think it's so great. It doesn't sound like a traditional superhero soundtrack?" Well, to them, I answer, "The X-Men aren't really superheroes. They are a minority fighting bigotry and oppression...they just happen to be a comic book team." So, enough rambling, go buy it. ;-)"
X2 Official Score
05/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First things off, this soundtrack is better than X-Men 1,(although I REALLY liked the music from the first movie) and none of the themes are brought over from the first movie which is bad or good depending on if you liked the first movie's score.
As you probably noticed Michael Kamen has been replaced by John Ottman(who was originally supposed to score X-Men 1) and with it comes a new style to the score. While Kamen used lots of techno, Ottman goes to traditional orchestra and lots of chorus. Like I said there are no themes brought over from the first movie which I loved but Ottman makes up for it with a FANTASTIC X-Men theme, which can be heard in the first track. I would have enjoyed it even more however if Ottman brought over the Brotherhood theme from X-Men 1 along with Magneto's and Mystique's theme but it's excusable because of just how much better Ottman puts up his music into heart pounding moments of triumph. GREAT SCORE AND SOUNDTRACK
Curiously absent though is the music from the first scene in the movie when Nightcrawler attacked the White House, I was looking forward to listening to it but it wasn't included, what gives.
BUY IT!
-Written by Max Folkman"
Nightcrawler's Attack
William Eller | Tulsa, OK United States | 05/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just an FYI - the choral music behind Nightcrawler's attack on the White House is the "Dies Irae" from the Mozart "Requiem" (K626). The translation from the Latin is "Day of Wrath, that day will dissolve the earth in ashes as David and the Sibyl bear witness. What dread there will when the Judge shall come to judge all things strictly." A fantastic use of this amazing work."
An awesome and powerfull score for a must see movie!
Gustavo H B Alves | Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil | 05/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rating this score, I completely agree with the customer who said before that, "as you probably noticed Michael Kamen has been replaced by John Ottman(who was originally supposed to score X-Men 1) and with it comes a new style to the score. While Kamen used lots of techno, Ottman goes to traditional orchestra and lots of chorus". Although I liked the first score as well, this one sounds better. Beggining with the main theme. John Ottman did in fact a wonderfull job. Mark my words: this score is not to be missed. Not at all. I also enjoyed the Nightcrawler attack to the White House theme. It's for sure one of my favorites on the entire movie, next to the main theme, of course. So, my friends, don't forget to listen to this superb work of art from Mr. John Ottman. And naturally buy a copy for yourself. You won't regret!!!"
Not Kamen, but sufficient
Mike | 07/22/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was rather dissappointed to hear that Michael Kamen was being replaced for the score to the sequel of X-Men, but I was interested in hearing the score from someone else, as well.
Overall, John Ottman's score is neat. It has its key moments like the first and sixth tracks. Ottman enrolls heroism and wicked music to the score, plus the use of the chorus which Kamen uses only here and there. This soundtrack is also quite longer than the first and has a memorable theme. But he doesn't have the excitement that Kamen had. Most of these tracks are a bit subtle and don't give a great feeling of action or excitement (most of the first track, too). Besides that, Ottman's ending is weaker compared to Kamen's.
In Kamen's score, he provides plenty of excitement yet only one track that is really soft. Kamen's themes were also perfect for each scene and character that I won't forget, and his ending is magnificent. From Ottman, he gave quite a few like the main theme, the mansion attack, and Wolverine's past memories. But when it comes down to Wolverine fighting with Lady Deathstrike, it doesn't generate that feeling of a good fight, despite how creative it is with clashes of metal. Even so, I love the themes from the first, including the main, moreso than the second's (despite that Ottman's score was very nice). And Kamen knows how to press the buttons when it comes down to X-Men. However, Ottman is very passionate in his score the whole way, especially through an orchestral type (and this movie). Although, Kamen is passionate in his own way, particularly at the end of the first.
I find that between the two, Kamen is more suitable/appropriate to X-Men. He has a certain touch to them that makes me feel like this is the X-Men, and it gets you caught up in the moment. It's a distinctive style that fits the persona of the X-Men. But I can't ignore that in a way Ottman could be better suited to X2, because it is different from the first movie."