Thomas Newman to return?

http://omegaunderground.com/2017/09/15/skyfall-spectre-composer-thomas-newman-expected-return-bond-25/

If true, I guess we can look forward to more sterile sounding rehashes of Skyfall. Aside from a few cues (Shanghai Drive, Tennyson), I've long maintained that the music was one of only two letdowns in SF.

If you had asked after Skyfall, I'd have said yes but then you get what Spectre became. Even David Arnold shook it up a touch but now coming back for a third? Not sure. I preferred Skyfall over QOS and Casino Royale for various reasons -Tennyson was the real deal. Though I figured Newman was a director's composer, i.e Mendes as Zimmer is with Nolan. Can't imagine the producers put the music that high up on their list nowadays.

Just wish Spectre had had a bit more flair musically as opposed to snippets of Skyfall.

While I prefer Skyfall to Casino Royale, I prefer Quantum of Solace to Skyfall (in terms of music). There was a nice cultural aspect to QOS's score, and it had that melodic 'I Never Left' motif weaving in and out. Not to mention, the exceptional 'Inside Man' theme and 'Night Of The Opera' track. 

I only really truly like 'Donna Lucia' and 'Los Muertos Vivos Estan' from SPECTRE's score, with a soft spot for 'Vauxhall Bridge' and 'The Eternal City'. Everything else is the usual sterile compositions I've come to expect from Thomas Newman. Almost every soundtrack he has composed I've never liked (with the exception of a few tracks), and find him totally unfit for Bond. It's so minimalist, which is inconsistent with Bond's thirst for life. Though maybe it's aligned with Craig's interpretation of the character?

FieldsMan wrote:

While I prefer Skyfall to Casino Royale, I prefer Quantum of Solace to Skyfall (in terms of music). There was a nice cultural aspect to QOS's score, and it had that melodic 'I Never Left' motif weaving in and out. Not to mention, the exceptional 'Inside Man' theme and 'Night Of The Opera' track. 

I only really truly like 'Donna Lucia' and 'Los Muertos Vivos Estan' from SPECTRE's score, with a soft spot for 'Vauxhall Bridge' and 'The Eternal City'. Everything else is the usual sterile compositions I've come to expect from Thomas Newman. Almost every soundtrack he has composed I've never liked (with the exception of a few tracks), and find him totally unfit for Bond. It's so minimalist, which is inconsistent with Bond's thirst for life. Though maybe it's aligned with Craig's interpretation of the character?

For some reason it's not letting me edit my post. 

I also though that Newman coming in for SF and SP was because of his working relationship with Mendes. I wonder if this is indicative of Mendes' return then? He said he wouldn't come back for SP but he did, and perhaps he's adopting Craig's attitude of wanting to finish on a high? But that's another topic. 

Regardless, I'll wait for Arnold to return.

Something tells me Arnold will return though he got passed over for the second Independence Day movie. You'd hope Broccoli has a long memory.

He dodged a bullet. The ID sequel was the worst of last year's summer blockbusters.

FieldsMan wrote:

http://omegaunderground.com/2017/09/15/skyfall-spectre-composer-thomas-newman-expected-return-bond-25/

If true, I guess we can look forward to more sterile sounding rehashes of Skyfall. Aside from a few cues (Shanghai Drive, Tennyson), I've long maintained that the music was one of only two letdowns in SF.

To be fair, it was Mendes' decision to use Skyfall tracks in SPECTRE. They were used as temp-tracks at first, but then Mendes liked them so much he decided to keep them.

Still, I'll keep my fingers crossed for Arnold. I just can't get tired of Quantum of Solace's score.

Walecs wrote:

FieldsMan wrote:

http://omegaunderground.com/2017/09/15/skyfall-spectre-composer-thomas-newman-expected-return-bond-25/

If true, I guess we can look forward to more sterile sounding rehashes of Skyfall. Aside from a few cues (Shanghai Drive, Tennyson), I've long maintained that the music was one of only two letdowns in SF.

To be fair, it was Mendes' decision to use Skyfall tracks in SPECTRE. They were used as temp-tracks at first, but then Mendes liked them so much he decided to keep them.

Heh, interesting. Didn't know that. How did you find that out? 

Walecs wrote:

Still, I'll keep my fingers crossed for Arnold. I just can't get tired of Quantum of Solace's score.

I've always liked the QOS score, though I've been replaying it in my mind recently. I really dig this track:




What I'd really love is a soundtrack like that of Tomorrow Never Dies or The World Is Not Enough. So much more melodic, interesting and fun than anything since 2006.

FieldsMan wrote:

Heh, interesting. Didn't know that. How did you find that out? 

https://www.provideocoalition.com/art-of-the-cut-with-lee-smith-on-cutting-007-s-spectre/

FieldsMan wrote:

Walecs wrote:

FieldsMan wrote:

http://omegaunderground.com/2017/09/15/skyfall-spectre-composer-thomas-newman-expected-return-bond-25/

If true, I guess we can look forward to more sterile sounding rehashes of Skyfall. Aside from a few cues (Shanghai Drive, Tennyson), I've long maintained that the music was one of only two letdowns in SF.

To be fair, it was Mendes' decision to use Skyfall tracks in SPECTRE. They were used as temp-tracks at first, but then Mendes liked them so much he decided to keep them.

Heh, interesting. Didn't know that. How did you find that out? 

Walecs wrote:

Still, I'll keep my fingers crossed for Arnold. I just can't get tired of Quantum of Solace's score.

I've always liked the QOS score, though I've been replaying it in my mind recently. I really dig this track:




What I'd really love is a soundtrack like that of Tomorrow Never Dies or The World Is Not Enough. So much more melodic, interesting and fun than anything since 2006.

Indeed, that and with the Bond theme prominent in places (Come in 007, Your Time is Up for example or All in a Day's Work).

Walecs wrote:

FieldsMan wrote:

Heh, interesting. Didn't know that. How did you find that out? 

https://www.provideocoalition.com/art-of-the-cut-with-lee-smith-on-cutting-007-s-spectre/

Great read, that! Thanks for sharing. 

Hilly wrote:

Indeed, that and with the Bond theme prominent in places (Come in 007, Your Time is Up for example or All in a Day's Work).

Exactly. Even cues like Hamburg Break In or Body Double where the Bond theme isn't as prominent, it's still used and lends the film a much fuller sound, as opposed to the sterile efforts of CR and SP, and to an extent, SF and QOS.

I'd prefer to have Arnold return than Newman, if only because the break is now long enough for a fresh approach (not that he is guaranteed to give it). However overall I'd like someone new and a sound that is distinctive and yet not too heavily a pastche of Barry's. Tom Tykwers 'The International' was an interesting change of sound, but I think Dario Marianello or Alberto Iglesias could evoke the mood without overly repeating what we have had before.

After Tinker Tailor I was particularly keen for Iglesias to do a Bond score. Shame we can't have 'period' Bond's (i.e 1950s looking Bond, Moonraker) as I dare suggest he could do that quite well.

I've long thought Dario Marianelli would be an excellent composer for Bond, and I think if Joe Wright directs one of the films, he'd bring his composer along too. And cinematography by Seamus McGarvey. 

Alberto Iglesias would be great as well, but I'm more keen on Arnold or Marianelli. All three would be a big improvement on Newman's work.

I liked Newman's score for Skyfall but thought Spectre very weak. So like
others, I'd love D Arnold to make a return for Bond 25.

If Arnold can do something like TND-DAD, QOS, then yes, bring back Arnold. Newman has a small handful of tracks in both SF and SP which I like (Shanghai Drive, Tennyson, Donna Lucia) but I don't care for most. Doesn't help that he recycled a lot of his music in SP.

I don't know who should take over these days.

Though admittedly I thought of a huge what-if this week: Goldsmith having done a Bond score. If only!!!

Unless EON have taken a liking to Newman's approach enough to want him back, I don't see it happening. He joined because Mendes invited him, and Mendes is now gone.

Speaking of Arnold, what the hell happened to that guy? He hasn't done a lot of theatrical films lately lover the years. Even his regular collaborator Michael Apted seems to have dumped him in favor of other composers. Seems a lot more content to just do TV work these days.

Perhaps Arnold was unwilling to relocate to LA. He did some work for the 2012 Olympics though, so maybe Danny Boyle will bring him back.

Erica Ambler wrote:

Perhaps Arnold was unwilling to relocate to LA. He did some work for the 2012 Olympics though, so maybe Danny Boyle will bring him back.

Good point. 

At least I can look forward to something in Bond 25.