Gladiator - Soundtrack > Reviews > A Stunning Soundtrack

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money

Advantages:	Its stirring, emotional and all blended together seamlessly
Disadvantages:	Surely there could be more -  I hear rumours of a second CD so maybe there is

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Gladiator was an awesome film. It had a real roller coaster thing going on, from the power of the opening battle scenes and the nobility of the Emperor's speech to Maximus. From the emotion Maximus goes through in his worst hours, right through to the variation of styles between the province of Zuchabaar and the might of Rome before culminating in an awe inspiring climax in the Colloseum, and then the deep emotion of Lucilla's speech at the very end, this film had it all. One of the things that kept the emotion bubbling right on top throughout the entire film was the stunning score by Hans Zimmer (previously of Broken Arrow and The Rock among others)

Zimmers aim was to use music to display the different powers in the film, powers like the Roman Army, the Slavetraders commanding the slaves, the sheer power of the actual City of Rome and of course the Colloseum battles. He says on the second disc of the DVD about not knowing what music was like then, and so having to make it up and imagine what style it woud have been. This alone earns him credit, as he has created pieces that instantly sound right, although no-one knows what right is.He has done this by playing tunes that seem to play on the heart, each scene is instantly recognisable and possible to visualise just by playing the relevant track on the CD.

My favourite thing about this CD however, is the way each track leads seamlessly into the next, creating an unbroken piece of music that could be easily one piece, the music on the CD (though some 90 minutes shorter than the film) encapsulates every emotion the film had to offer. I dont think there's one scene not covered by this amazing score.

These are some of my favourite tracks.

3. The Battle

The track from the start of the film is really the first 3 tracks, right from the Dreamworks rolling credit to the commencement of the fight. It shows the power of the Roman Army, and the music copies this perfectly by sounding like a call to arms, and the impending sound of a conquering brigade. The track is very strong and powerful (as well as over 10 minutes long) but despite all the power there is room around the 8 minute mark for a softer piece to interlude, as the battle is won and we see the savagerym, yet glory in the Roman victory.

9. The Might Of Rome

This track is notable for its change from one style to another. For a little part of the track we are in Zuchabaar, and the drum beats and eastern sounding pipes represent this perfectly, suddenly though we are whisked to Rome and the music becomes more serene and yet intense at the same time. It sounds like a Royal fanfare blended with the entrance theme for a very important person. The blend between the two is seamless, despite the vast difference.

13. Barbarian Horde

The opening battle from the Colloseum has an imposing soundtrack to it, Zimmer aimed to make the Colloseum seem a place of fear for the slaves, whilst still giving a heroes welcome to the Roman soldiers. The way the battle turns though is reflected in the music, and we end with a passionate piece as Maximus confront his Nemesis.

This may be the finest score to a film in many many years. It can be inspiring, haunting and sad, and all at once in some parts.
It compliments the film perfectly and listening to it on its own just shows how much it went towards helping make the film as good as it was.

Fantastic!