Was 2007 such a bad year?

Posted by Jorn Tillnes

December 29, 2007

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I’ve heard from some people that 2007 was a disappointing year for scores. After listening to about 80 scores, I have to say I ended up on the positive side. The only disappointing thing is how average most of the scores were. There were a couple of amazing scores like Transformers and National Treasure: Book Of Secrets and there were dreadful scores like Sleuth. So many landed in the middle and they were dull, dull and dull. So what about the composers? Who disappointed? Who were great? Who were average?

Brian Tyler has always been a favorite of mine and I look forward to every score he makes. This year he had 3 scores: Finishing The Game, War and Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem. As you know I really enjoyed War as it made it to my top 10 this year. Finishing The Game was good as well, while AVPR was strictly average. All in all a good year for Brian Tyler.

Charlie Clouser is quite new to me. I listened to 2 of his scores this year: Dead Silence and Resident Evil: Extinction. I thought Dead Silence was bad, but Resident Evil: Extinction was really good. I don’t know what to think of him, but I hope he takes one step further next year.

Christopher Young disappointed me with both Spider-Man 3 and especially Ghost Rider.

Dario marianelli was a little hyped up this year, especially with the score for Atonement. He also had the score for The Brave One. I had heard great things and maybe my expectation were sky high because neither of them delivered. Hoping for a better 2008.

Geoff Zanelli is a name I haven’t heard of much in the scoring world, but this year he had 2 big movies. Hitman and Disturbia. As you know, Hitman made it to nr. 6 on my Top 10 list. Great score! Disturbia was slightly less exciting. I found it rather dull, but it wasn’t bad.

Hans Zimmer is someone I always expect great stuff from, so maybe my expectations are a bit high when listening to his scores. That being said, Pirates of The Caribbean: At World’s End delivered, it’s a great score. Possibly the best of all 3 Pirates scores. The Holiday I’d rather not mention, because it was one of this year’s worst scores.

Harry Gregson-Williams always delivers great scores, right? Well he certainly did this year. The Number 23 made my Top 10 list and Gone Baby Gone made my top 20. A great year for Harry!

James Newton Howard has been busy, but overall it was a good year for him. I listened to 4 scores of him this year: Charlie Wilson’s War, Michael Clayton, Water Horse: Legend of The Deep and The Lookout. The only score that disappointed me a little was Water Horse: Legend of The Deep. People I spoke to thought it was the best, but for me it was a little better than average which isn’t good enough when it comes to James Newton Howard.

John Murphy delivered 2 great scores, one in my top 3 this year. Sunshine was amazing and 28 Weeks Later wasn’t too far behind. Can’t wait for his next projects.

Marco Beltrami had 2 good opportunities this year in Live Free Die Hard and 3:10 To Yuma. He failed on both accounts. 2008 can only be better for him.

Mark Isham isn’t a consistent composer. I find his scores frustrating in that it varies from the brilliant to the abysmal. This year I heard Next, Reservation Road and Lions For Lambs. Thankfully it was a nice year for him as all these scores were really good.

Michael Giacchino is starting to annoy me. When will he come up with a great score? So far I haven’t found it. This year I listened to 2 game scores and 1 movie score: Medal of Honor: Vanguard, Medal of Honor: Airborne and Ratatouille. Of these 3, Ratatouille was the best one, but far from greatness. Christopher Lennertz did a better job with the Medal of Honor series in my opinion. Well, it can only go upwards for mr. Giacchino.

Patrick Doyle had 2 very different scores this year. Sleuth was this year’s worst score by a country mile, but The Last Legion wasn’t bad.

Paul Haslinger hasn’t impressed me yet. The closest was Underworld which I enjoyed. This year I listened to 2 releases: Shoot ‘Em Up and Vacancy. Shoot ‘Em Up was very strange, but it wasn’t bad. Vacancy however, was bad, both the score and the movie.

To summarize, 2007 wasn’t as bad as some people would have it. My composer of the year would have to be Mark Isham. Honorable mentions to both John Murphy and Harry Gregson-Williams.

2008 could be really great. I have already listened to The Spiderwick Chronicles by James Horner which wasn’t bad at all. Might do a review of that one soon. See you soon!