“Let’s Just Say I’m Frankenstein’s Monster”
So on my last couple of soundtrack reviews, I read the same kind of comments from people – “I didn’t notice the music when I was watching this film”.
And that’s absolutely fine, I don’t always notice it either – consciously at least . I often end up buying soundtracks because they’re ‘cool’ or hard to get hold of or I just end up listening to them on YouTube and enjoy the music.
So today I really wanted to go with something of the complete opposite – that is to say, a soundtrack I ONLY bought because I noticed the music in the film.
And ‘X-Men: First Class’ is the perfect example because whilst I do really rate the movie, it’s certainly not a soundtrack I bought for the kudos. No, I bought it marginally for Magneto’s Theme.
Magneto’s Theme is best explained by likening it to Darth Vader’s Imperial March (hi to my soundtrack buddy Drew). It’s bad guy music and it follows Michael Fassender’s character Erik/Magneto throughout the movie, playing prominently and especially when he is angry or in a dramatic state.
The base version is this –
But there are variations played through-out, dependent on the scene, the same basic music is used but tweaked to fit with the atmosphere.
My favourite scene is undoubtedly when Magneto goes to the Argentinian bar looking for the Nazi war criminals. I’ve spoken about it before in other posts, most recently here (in fact a video of the whole scene is in this post if you want to watch the action as well as hearing the music).
It’s a very tense, very exciting scene, partly down to the story line and Fassbender himself, who is typically outstanding and bilingually-sexy. But it’s also down to the music – Magneto’s Theme with a twangy edge. It grows from something understated and subtle (though still kinda scary) to full blown Erik Lehnsherr terror.
It’s beautifully dramatic, bad arse and generally makes me feel like a legend. I’m fairly certain I’m not alone in loving this scene or the musical theme. Are there any other big fans out there reading this?
So the entire score was written by Henry Jackman, a British composer and musician who has worked on other comic book / action movies (he recently scored Kingsman and Captain America: The Winter Soldier).
Unfortunately Jackman didn’t get to work on Days of Future Past (2014), because a director from the distant past (yes I meant to say that) was brought in, Bryan Singer – who has his own musical collaborator in the form of composer John Ottman. The two of them have a Spielberg/Williams thing going on. It’s a shame that Magneto’s Theme never got brought into the sequel but who knows if it would have worked as well. There’s something very old fashioned about the First Class soundtrack and being set in the 1960s, I know it wasn’t unintentional.
Though ironically, Ottman’s score for Days of Future Past did feature a recurring X-Men theme, from X2 (2003) – which was part of the original X-Men movie franchise and nowhere near as moving, for me anyway.
I know I haven’t mentioned much about the other tracks on the soundtrack but that’s not to say I don’t like them. I just really, really, really like Magneto’s Theme (if you couldn’t guess that).
I’d say the main theme simply called ‘First Class’ is the next best score on the album and I’ve actually heard it played over the top of TV shows since hearing it for the first time, but that often happens with strong scores from movies, you start hearing them all over the place – from Britain’s Got Talent to a documentary about Tourettes.
And can I just say that no matter how cool and talented and handsome Mr Michael Fassbender is, NO-ONE can make this pose look cool.
I always giggle at this scene, always. Corny as hell. HAHAHAHAHA.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
This is a great score from Henry Jackman…love the Winter Soldier’s soundtrack as well. Just a shame his work on Captain America: Civil War and Kong: Skull Island aren’t as memorable!
Fantastic isn’t it! I’ll have to check out those sub standard scores for Kong and Captain America as I’ve not seen the films.
Em, I really love these soundtrack posts of yours, I can’t even tell you how much 😀
Awwww….Zoe!! That really made me smile!!! 😀 😀 😀 <——–that's me!
So glad you said that, really does mean a lot. I'll be reviewing another one ASAP! 🙂 thank you.
Nice choice there Emma.
Thanks brother 🙂
Nice choice. Drive is probably my favourite.
Nice choice also 🙂 I have the Drive soundtrack on CD so it will be making an appearance soon! (maybe sooner rather than later now I know you like it! Are you feeling better?)
Can’t wait 🙂 I am feeling better. How about you?
Yay! 🙂 much better now, just a bit of a pesky cough 🙂
Some good clips you posted there, I might have to seek this out and give it a listen.
Ooh please do Geoff!! Though I’ve posted the very best ones really, I guess.
Soundtracks often get overlooked. HVe you heard of Two Steps From Hell?
No I haven’t, but I’m google-ing now!
Hoping you like what you find!
This is the only X score I don’t have. Good review! I need to pick this one up asap! Thanks Emma!
You really do need to asap Victor! This is the best one of the lot!! Have you ordered it yet? 🙂 countdown starts now!
Already ordered! Instead I may just go down to Amazon and grab it off their shelves! 😊
That is fantastic!!!! So pleased, but has it turned up yet or are you quick footing it to the Amazon warehouse as we speak?! 🙂
Haha! I didn’t have to order it. Amazon Prime has it to stream for subscribers, so it’s in my library. plan on listening to the cd in it’s entirety this week. can’t wait!!! 🙂
Woo hoo!!! Please let me know what you think? Particularly of Magneto’s Theme, Not That Kind of Bank and Frankenstein’s Monster? And you are styling with Amazon Prime!!! 🙂
I will Emma! I moved in up in my library so I can get to it this weekend. Amazon Prime is the shiz lol 😁
I need to get on that Prime shiz Victor!! 🙂 Definitely, listen this weekend and report back to me, I will be waiting!!
You bet!
🙂
All other X-Men soundtracks pale in comparison to First Class’s. The main theme of the originals is the dullest superhero main theme, ever. It’s very generic, and not very memorable, which is why it baffles me that they still use it over the vastly superior animated series theme.
I will have to watch that vid when I get home Mr Other Critic, but thank you! 🙂 you probably know a lot more about the films than me, but I’m glad to hear you’re a fan of the First Class soundtrack 🙂 the other X-Men themes are rather generic, you’re right.
P.S I have got your email re our post! I’m not ignoring you, I love your ideas and will reply over the weekend.
Didn’t think you were ignoring, no hurry, reply on your time.
The cartoon theme is basically just electric guitar shredding, but it’s awesome in its own “extreme 90’s” way.
I think I know exactly what you mean by “extreme 90s” and the description, actually sounds awesome will go listen now 🙂
P.S thanks! I will get there soon lol.
I haven’t seen the film, therefore haven’t heard the soundtrack.
So why am I commenting? I’m just that sort of bloke. An occasional pointless commenter!
As ever, Pete. xxx
Oh Pete!! You’re not a pointless commenter and I know I have some comments still to catch up with you and some of your posts too!! I feel like a rubbish friend, sorry! I appreciate EVERY lovely comment you give me and the kisses too 🙂 it’s always super to hear from you.
As ever back 🙂 xxx
Don’t worry, Em. Nobody’s counting comments or catch-ups. xxx
Thanks Pete 🙂
Hope you’re having a good weekend? We’ve been lucky with some nice weather!! 🙂 xxx
Great weather here, honey but I am bloody ill again! See the latest post for details…
Not much fun getting old, as they always say. xxx
No! 😦 oh gosh Pete, I’ll check your posts out. Hope your’e okay dear ranty Pete 🙂
xxx
No, that pose rules. rules. I make it every day before I leave the house.
Haha! I LOVE this comment Mike, if you could see me now you’d see me with a huge grin on my face 🙂
Okay, you’re the exception alright? You make that pose rule 🙂
HHAHA ok deal 🙂
Deal 😀 I was still thinking about that when I drove home from work the other day, you doing that pose before you leave the house haha! You are the only one that makes it great 😀