“Quite A Talent You Have There.” – The Music of X2

It has been 5 years since director Bryan Singer and composer/editor John Ottman teamed up. The film back in 1998 was Apt Pupil and it produced a very dark film as well as an equally dark yet stunning score. After Pupil it was speculated that Ottman would return to his usual post of editor and composer for the first X-Men film. However due to Ottman’s tied up schedule with directing, editing and scoring his first feature, Urban Legends: Final Cut he was unable to be attached to X-Men. Composer Michael Kaman was called in to score the film. Personally I was and still am not really, a fan of Kaman’s score to the film and I was very happy to hear that Ottman was coming back to score and edit X2.

In being realistic, this is really Ottman’s first big action film. Most of his other films, like Suspects, Apt Pupil, Lake Placid, and Incognito were primarily suspense films, with X2 it really gives him a chance to spread his wings and expand his musical palette with a good old fashioned big effects blockbuster of an action film. Personally I think he delivered. The score works especially well in the film. Oh god did the score rock! The CD holds up but I think it will mean more to you if you have seen the film.

The disc by Superb Records comes with a very generous release of 60 minutes worth of music. I’m going to go through the disc and pick out the cues I like, because a review of every cue would be a very long review. But just so everyone knows, every track here is good.

The disc opens with “Suite from X2.” The suite employs the X2 main title, which, ironically sounds somewhat like Kaman’s title. I think it’s a nice touch by Ottman to connect the films together musically, if only for the main title, it’s always a good thing. The main title it’s self is very loud and bombastic, a solid piece of action music. The track runs a good seven minutes in length and carries with it all of the themes and some of the textures used thought the score. The track even introduces us to a choir! I love Ottman choral stuff.

Next on the list is “Storm’s Perfect Storm” a very cool track that uses a choir with some heavy brass and light string backing. Ottman’s string work is great here; a nice piece of string action music is always a good thing. The track ends with a nice long choral fade out piece.

“Sneaky Mystique” is a very interesting track using a lone female vocal to accent the loads of strong string work. The track beings sounding like something out of Suspects, then the main title is heard and we go into some brass and a bit of drums, then slides into the string work with the long vocal, very Cruel Intentions like on the vocal too. (I’d actually call that vocal “Mystique’s New Theme.”) The music begins to pick up then, with the brass and now choir coming into the mix. The cue becomes very action oriented then fades out using the same lone female vocal.

“Cerebro” brings in some deep bass in the form of cellos. The track is very light and is a nice change of pace for the moment. Soft string and brass are played throughout the cue with a very light backing of a choral element. The track is peaceful and somber. The cue is also very effective in the film too.

Aaahh, the “Mansion Attack.” This sequence was made very popular in the teaser trailer that Ottman edited for Comic Con and runs a nice 7 minutes long. The score here is very action oriented with a heavy brass backing. The cue makes a distant reference to the main title and this cue really kicks. It’s a very high octane track with loads of good brass and string work. All action all the time. The tone of the track really adds a lot. You can tell by the mixture of music the emotion of the characters. On one hand the track is suspenseful and action packed (our heroes) yet on the other it has its more emotional moments (the kids in the scene). The cue functions to serve both parties in the scene, always a good thing. It doesn’t blast you with one emotion but walks the tightrope trying to give you both. Once again, Ottman’s editing work comes into play during the film. A very exciting and well cut sequence, the music only adds to heighten the power on screen.

Many of the later tracks on the CD are for the most part solid action and a dash of emotional cues with choral work. A lot of these cues appear towards the end of Act 2 and most if not all of Act 3 of the film (from what I could tell). All of these cues carry with them great orchestral textures and make great use of the X2 theme and Ottman’s choral work. All the tracks really lend to themselves and in my opinion, all completely rock the house. I think I’ve yakked too much already but I’ll talk about the last cues anyway.

All the action and emotion come to a boiling point in “Goodbye.” The cue is in my view; one of the most powerful cues in the film. For a finale cue, Ottman really steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park. The track for the most part is dominated with brass work with strings thrown in for good use, Ottman’s choral work even makes yet another appearance (not that I’m complaining mind you.) The aggressive string work is apparent through out the cue and really gives an emotional impact, especially on screen. The music is grand yet somber. Toward the end of the cue, the choral steps up and delivers one final breath. Finally the cue ends with a very somber low string and brass work really highlighting the texture of the scene. The somberness of this cue also continues into “We’re Here to Stay.” That final cue rounds out the CD with a great performance of the X2 theme.

Here’s the short of it: The score rocks. If you’re an Ottman fan, then you should already have this. If you’re not really a fan then see the film at least. Personally, I thought “X2” really delivered in both film and score. I think the whole team on the scoring stage and mixing room totally stepped up to the plate and just hit this one out of the park.

A special thanks to Casey Stone for his great recording and mixing of the score. This score is truly a pleasure to listen to, thank you. Also to John Ottman, thanks for your great score and also a great cut of a film. You amazed me once again.

Bring on X3.

Rating 4 / 5
Favorite Track: 1