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Justice League: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Danny Elfman (soundtrack review)

This is the ‘Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’ for the ‘Justice League’ film. The majority of the tracks are composed and performed by Danny Elfman. After doing a bit of research, I noted that Mr. Elfman has quite a few soundtrack credits to his name. I stopped counting after 20 but it’s fair to say he knows what he’s doing. So, it was with some anticipation that I hit the play button.

The surprise was immediate. The first track is not the usual orchestral piece but the Norwegian singer and songwriter Sigrid doing a cover of Leonard Cohen’s 1988 classic ‘Everybody Knows’. This is simply superb but had me looking for the track list. Every ‘Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’ I have reviewed has been instrumental only with no vocals other than choirs. A quick check of the track list shows track 23, ‘Coming Together’ is another vocal track by Gary Clark Jr. and Junkie XL. This is followed by yet another vocal track 24, ‘Icky Thump’ by The White Stripes.

These three tracks are very good but are in stark contrast to the other 24 tracks included in the soundtrack. If you are buying the CD then they are in stark contrast to the other 21 tracks on Disc 1. Disc 2 contains three bonus tracks, two of which are full length versions of tracks on Disc 1 and are all orchestral. Putting the orchestral and vocal discussion aside, you get a total of 1 hour, 41 minutes and 33 seconds of soundtrack to listen to.

Anyway, Track 1 sets the scene perfectly. The situation is bleak and looks to be getting worse. There doesn’t appear to be any hope but then Track 2, The ‘Justice League Theme’ kicks off Danny Elfman’s contribution to the soundtrack. It’s a good opening to the orchestral score if a little short at just 49 seconds. It’s followed by the longer ‘Hero’s Theme’ which is a good showcase for Elfman’s orchestral scoring. It slowly starts and builds to a crescendo, mellowing somewhat in the middle before the pace is picked up again.

One track to look out for is track 5, ‘Enter Cyborg’. It’s a much quieter, softer number with the strings playing a major part. Not what you might expect when a fierce looking Cyborg enters the scene. but one of my favourite Elfman tracks. It works well in the movie as well.

With this being a super-hero action movie there’s quite a lot of action occurring which the soundtrack mirrors. Most of the tracks either start loud or quickly build from quieter beginnings. What quieter tracks there are don’t tend to be very long. I’m not criticising, just making you aware of what to expect.

Track 13 is titled the ‘Tunnel Fight’ and accompanies one of the best action sequences in the film. However, this version is only 6 minutes 24 seconds long. The bonus track is the full 10 minute 59 second version and I much prefer it. A lot happens in this sequence of the film including multiple setbacks and successes. The longer version captures it all. Exactly the same could be said of track 20, ‘Final Battle’. The bonus track version is about twice as long.

‘The Final Battle’ track doesn’t signal the end of the soundtrack, There’s another four tracks to cover the wrap up of the loose story threads and a little cameo piece for two of the Superhero’s. By the time track 23, ‘Coming Together’ by Gary Clark Jr. and Junkie XL comes on the credits are starting to roll on the screen. There’s enough credits for track 24, ‘Icky Thump’ by The White Stripes.

Though Danny Elfman delivers another signature big and sweeping film score so it won’t disappoint his fans, I do think though that the three non-Elfman tracks might not be welcomed by all even though they are very good in their own right. Perhaps that’s the problem playlists were invented to solve. Either way, if you like ‘Motion Picture Soundtracks’, you really should add this one to your collection.

Justice League: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Danny Elfman

  1. Everybody Knows – Sigrid 4:26
  2. The Justice League Theme – Logos – Danny Elfman 0:49
  3. Hero’s Theme – Danny Elfman 4:18
  4. Batman on the Roof – Danny Elfman 2:34
  5. Enter Cyborg – Danny Elfman 2:0
  6. Wonder Woman Rescue – Danny Elfman 2:44
  7. Hippolyta’s Arrow – Danny Elfman 1:16
  8. The Story of Steppenwolf – Danny Elfman 3:0
  9. The Amazon Mother Box – Danny Elfman 4:33
  10. Cyborg Meets Diana – Danny Elfman 2:37
  11. Aquaman in Atlantis – Danny Elfman 2:39
  12. Then There Were Three – Danny Elfman 1:10
  13. The Tunnel Fight – Danny Elfman 6:24
  14. The World Needs Superman – Danny Elfman 1:0
  15. Spark of The Flash – Danny Elfman 2:18
  16. Friends and Foes – Danny Elfman 4:15
  17. Justice League United – Danny Elfman 1:24
  18. Home – Danny Elfman 3:25
  19. Bruce and Diana – Danny Elfman 1:6
  20. The Final Battle – Danny Elfman 6:15
  21. A New Hope – Danny Elfman 4:36
  22. Anti-Hero’s Theme – Danny Elfman 5:36
  23. Come Together – Gary Clark Jr. and Junkie XL 3:13
  24. Icky Thump – The White Stripes 4:15
  25. The Tunnel Fight (Full Length Bonus Track) – Danny Elfman 10:58
  26. The Final Battle (Full Length Bonus Track) – Danny Elfman 12:57
  27. Mother Russia (Bonus Track) – Danny Elfman 1:45

Andy Whitaker

November 2017

 

(pub: WaterTower Music. 2 CDs 27 tracks 101 minutes. Price: $20.96 (US), £12.94 (UK). ASIN: B076VNRHL8)

check out website: www.WaterTower-Music.com

AndyWhitaker

I live in deepest darkest Essex where I enjoy photography, real ales, walking my dog, cooking and a really good book. I own an e-book reader which goes with me everywhere but still enjoy the traditional paper based varieties. My oriental studies have earned me a black belt in Suduko and I'm considered a master in deadly Bonsai (there are very few survivors).

3 thoughts on “Justice League: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Danny Elfman (soundtrack review)

  • Danny Elfman used to be lead singer/songwriter for pop band Oingo Boingo, who did wonderful quirky stuff. He turned to film scores when years of touring playing high volume rock started adversely affecting his hearing.

    For the sorts of projects like superhero films, Danny is likely to be the go-to guy when you need a score.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the info Danny!
      I did see the reference to Oingo Boingo when I was looking at his bio although it didn’t say he was the lead singer/songwriter. He does seem to be very creative as he now has dozen’s of film scores to his name.

      Cheers,

      Andy

      Reply
      • There’s a fair bit of Oingo Boingo stuff up on YouTube. It is well worth a look.
        ______
        Dennis

        Reply

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