I suppose a generally well-readable new novel by a German fantasy great, laid out & backgroundwise couched in some pomp (to align it with the "royal" precursors Star Wars & Dune?), as well as indications by a non-s.f.-consuming friend that I might be reading too many comics, made me wonder whether musical themes of s.f.(-like) movies might not also be worthy of a more critical listen...

So, apology to the virtual mentor of this blog (cf. blog name) up front, I herewith go into rant mode on a random sample of three. ('Tis fun!)

Zimmer's hammering on the new Batman trilogy

When you hear the blare of Mr. Zimmer's fanfare theme for the best detective in the (comic) world, your manly cockles - insofar as you possess some - rise. You think of your hard life, trying to retain some semblance of ethics in surroundings of great egotism, especially by your male colleagues/friends - "see how (much better) I do things, isn't it great?!". Of how you train at night, with just your computer - and perhaps some small flying mammals for company - to keep your mind focussed, as well as open for new scientific aids to a more reasoned & reasonable life! You vow to battle against hate & humans turned by it, and hope some cat-like wisewoman will pick you out of your funk, and carry you away to Paris. Macho factor: 6 out of 10 cockles.

Strauss's super triumphal fanfare at the 'dawn'

Kubrick didn't trust modern composers to give his "good s.f. film" - his challenge to author Clarke at the inception - a truly grand tonal accompaniment. So he opted in Strauss, and his operatic ode to a German superman, dreamt up by radical thinker Nietzsche... Earth & moon roll out an ever louder crescendo - the rising sun gets the heavily beaten timpanies. All of this right at the beginning to break your protective awe sheath and get you wallowing deferentially the rest of the movie!

Goldsmith's introduction of the new warlike Klingons

Hey, Star Wars reanimated the s.f. movie scene with its wild action and special effects, so no wonder the Trekkies at 20th C. Fox decided to add a little more "Wars" to their franchise, when they finally saw a profit margin for a first Trek movie, little later! The pepper in the philosophy soup was this hair-raisingly simple scene introducing the new "fiercer look" Klingons - getting clobbered by their own special methods of diplomacy... Rrrrang-ring-rang!

Zimmer's ode to a Wonderful fem icon

(This one hasn't really started yet. The ranter stares, seeming to have lost his voice. Steadily, as the e-guitar wails on, on the advent of Truth, tears come to his eyes...)