"another Marvel Comic-Book Hero victory ~ John Ottman"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 08/02/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Varese Records demonstrates with this latest release from John Ottman - "FANTASTIC FOUR", just how varied this composer can be. Do not restrict this talented man of music with his past achievements - "The Usual Suspects", "The Cable Guy", "Bubble Boy", "Incognito(Score)", "Eight Legged Freaks(Score)", "Urban Legends-Final Cut", "Apt Pupil", "Goodbye Lover", "Lake Placid", "X2:Original Motion Picture Score", "Cellular", "Hide and Seek", and "Portrait of Terror"...which is just the tip of the iceberg.
Instead of a classical approach, the producers decided the score should be more contemporary, well our composer took on the challenge and wrote a strikingly unique, emotionally deep score with an eccentric blend of beat rhythms, Hollywood Studio Symphony and the Page LA Studio Voices....there are layers of underscore, infusing complex moods with passages of modern themes, very effective and wonderfully original.
Ottman always brings the necessary emotions to a film through his music, which could explain why this composer is always in demand...recorded at The Newman Stage, 20th Century Fox...once again, special thanks to Robert Townson (executive producer), Casey Stone (producer), Damon Intrabartolo (conductor), Varese Sarabande and of course Composer John Ottman for releasing this "movie-music" collectors dream...a must have for ALL the "film-score-buffs" out there!
Total Time: 46:00 on 14 Tracks ~ Varese Records 66667 ~ (7/12/2005)"
Not bad.
Andres Segovia | 08/20/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The main title theme is heroic as its supposed to be but one song is not enough to hold an entire album together. If you liked Ottman's score to X-men 2 you'll enjoy this one.
The main theme is used throughout the album but not enough, in my opinion. The theme has different variations to it. The deep-noted variation of the theme is the "theme" for Dr. Doom. The main variation of the theme is the theme for the Fantastic Four. The subtle theme is for The Thing. Sadly, there isn't any thematic development just the main theme in different variations. The rest is just underscore.
If you're a superhero score collector, you need this in your collection. John Ottman's best so far is SUPERMAN RETURNS so check that one out. Other than that, you could skip over this one and purchase Batman Begins. :)"
One of the best scores of the year and arguably Ottman's bes
brandon1081 | U.S.A. | 08/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One hundred percent action is how I describe John Ottman's new score to the F4! It has a heavy use of a choir, drums, church bells, horns and more! Several great themes are heard which include the main theme, the Dr. Doom theme, and what I call the space theme. There are a couple other small tunes heard more than once on the album. The choir is just so awesome! I love how heroic this score is. Ottman is definitely one of My favorites now and I seriously hope that he is nominated for an Academy Award! If you want to hear some of the best music that Ottman has composed then purchase this score today!"
Good Job
OneForAll | San Diego, CA, USA | 07/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I learned something interesting from a John Ottman interview. He didn't say he wanted to be the next John Williams, but rather that Williams has so defined the superhero-score genre that half a composer's job is just keeping out of his shadow; you have to be careful not to imitate him.
Well, Danny Elfman succeeded at this Spiderman and John Ottman succeeds with Fantastic Four, turning in a score that is both memorable and his own. Like another reviewer, I'm a little disappointed that Dr. Doom doesn't really have his own theme; let's hope they make a sequel so Ottman can correct this. The main title kept sticking in my head and finally made me buy the album, and I ended up playing it over and over. Besides the main title, my favorites so far are Superheroes, Battling Doom, Lab Rat, and Fantastic Proposal. And I'm sure there'll be more...