POPZ-CULTURE – Hans Zimmer Selection – Part Two
By: Marton Szakadath
We continue with our two-part article, in which we look at the work of Hans Zimmer, bringing you some of our favourites. If you haven’t read the previous part, you can do so here:
In our previous piece of writing, we mentioned frequent director-composer collaborations. From the 2000s onwards, the German genius became a worldwide collaborator with Christopher Nolan, who became famous mainly for his twisted sci-fi films and the modern-day Batman trilogy. We anticipate that the current selection will focus on the fruits of this collaboration.
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)
The much darker reinterpretation of Gotham’s vigilante has a massive fanbase. It’s no wonder, as Nolan’s more mature approach has made the Batman serious again for fans and the general public alike. As for the soundtrack, our favourite is the second part, The Dark Knight, but the other episodes also have excellent scores. We didn’t think we would get a score worthy of Danny Elfman’s work, but it happened.
Inception (2010)
There are dozens of sci-fi films with unusual settings. Distant alien planets, underwater civilisations, or the recently popular alternate dimensions are less and less surprising. It was therefore an innovative idea to place the plot at the level of the subconscious, of dreams. Inception is also a rare example from a soundtrack point of view, as the songs used, in addition to the original compositions, are an excellent way of capturing the fusion of reality and fantasy. The melodies, which are based on bassoon, trombone, and horn instruments, we can recognise it in our sleep, and we are sure that since the film’s premiere, it has also increased the popularity of Edith Piaff’s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.
Interstellar (2014)
One word: organ. It presented an exciting premise for Interstellar, in which humanity is preparing to leave a doomed Earth to seek new homes in unknown galaxies. But for us, it is the music of the film that remains the most outstanding. We can’t forget the cinematic experience of the vastness of space and Zimmer’s wonderful music written for the organ. Perhaps never before has the cosmos been so artistically captured on the big screen. When we got home from the screening, we had to listen to it again.
Dunkirk (2017)
Nolan chose the Western Front of World War II as the setting for his first historical film. In 1940, the Franco-British forces caught in the Third Reich’s grip and got in a very vulnerable position on the Atlantic coast. Along with the double bass and cello, the tension was heightened to almost unbearable levels by the distinctive clock ticking that accompanied the entire film. It was a constant reminder of the time pressure and made us feel the desperation the Allies must have felt as they waited for the relief troops to arrive.
Dune: Part One (2021) & Dune: Part Two (2024)
Dennis Villeneuve is a great filmmaking talent of our time, whose long-held dream of directing Frank Herbert’s classic has come true. Although the 1984 David Lynch version of the film still has an unsurpassed soundtrack, Zimmer has not disappointed with his latest composition. By using choral vocals, he has created a soundscape that brings Fremen culture close to us. He managed to express the wild, unrelenting nature of Arrakis through music. If the Canadian director delivers on his promise and expands his own adaptation into a trilogy, he will hopefully call on Zimmer’s expertise to bring it to conclude it.
Selected from nearly forty years of movies, these ten soundtracks are the best of Hans Zimmer’s career. This is not to say that, for example, Black Rain (1989), Driving Miss Daisy (1989) or True Romance (1993) are not worthy of recognition, but unfortunately we had to set a limit. It’s amazing when quality and quantity go together.
How did you like our list? What are your personal favourites? Let us know in the comments! If you’d like to see more similar content about composers, directors or actors, feel free to let us know. We’ll have a series premiere coming soon. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.
