Menu
What's new
By:
Filters

Is Hans Zimmer overrated as a composer?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Parsifal666 said:
This whole "ghostwriting" thing...I'm not sure what people call "ghostwriting" is any different from what Alfred Newman (an undeniably great film composer) often had to do because of being super busy...that is, relegate certain duties to others to help expediate music for that specific film.
Click to expand...

I don't know of any modern composer who has taken so many people along with him. You really should do your research because Hans has helped so many other writers and players and always given them credit.

This kind of thread is depressing and why I have stayed away from VI for the past couple of years. Bummer, really.
 
All the great film composers needed help at some point in their careers, even Williams, Herrman, Goldsmith, you name it. That does not mean they could not write all the music if they had the time.

I was pointing out (and obviously joking) this ludicrous idea that Hans can't write or orchestrate his own music and needs ghostwriters to do most of the heavy lifting. I was questioning myself if I should talk about this or not but fuck it. A few years ago I had an assistant and very close friend working at Remote Control. It's not every day that one of your own gets to a place like that so we talked a lot about what goes on behind the scenes. I can't get into details but I was told that every single note you hear in Hans' scores comes from the man himself. He either writes them or gives detailed notes on what he wants from his orchestrators. There are no "artistic liberties" being taken there. You may not like the music but it's either 100% Hans or the "ghostwriter" will get the credits.

Hans takes a lot of heat from people that don't like the direction film music took after he became the go-to composer in Hollywood and his music was in every director's temp folder, but the truth is that there are a lot of misinformation and crap being thrown around straight out of scorn and jealousy.

I particularly like that Hans does not give a single fuck about any of this. Suck it ;)
 
These are all the wrong questions. This whole question misses a way larger and more relevant point. Hans is amazingly relatable, for most of us composers and more importantly still, humans who watch film and listen to film music. I'm so sick of this shit, questioning whether Hans is worth a shit. Here's a WAY more important and less-answered question; Are the rest of us worth a shit? I ask myself this every day, every hour, every minute. You will be WAY better served asking what holes you want to fill in your own game, not in Hans'. Hans, love you man, and all that you've contributed. This thread is truly shit. Perhaps it wasn't with bad intentions but it is never-the-less.
 
marclawsonmusic said:
Hi, Chr!s,

Can we please hear some of your writing?

Thanks,
The Internets
Click to expand...

Sure, I've posted it most recently over in the member compositions.

What do I have to do with this, though?

I'd still like to be Nickelback, or anyone else who is "overrated" and also rich, successful, and have an army of women clawing to get at me
 
Last edited:
rottoy said:
I think even Hans would agree that he's a bit overrated, in regards to the extreme oversaturation that comes with the entire film industry eating out of your hand at any given moment.
However, therein lies the very reason he's far from overrated as a craftsman.
Hans is reliable, has an immense talent for churning out catchy compositions that linger in popular culture, not to mention giving up-and-coming composers a chance to elbow their way into the industry by working under/alongside him at Remote Control Productions.

TL;DR Hans is prolific to the point of oversaturation, but he's not overrated as an artist.
Click to expand...

I read an interview with him many years back, and he was quite critical and self-condescending regarding his work. He's self-made, inspired a lot of people, made millions... if want the real answer, ask his kids!
 
Is Hans Zimmer overrated as a composer?

Depends on how you rate him.

If you rate him as a good composer, who has a good eye for music to picture, who knows how to add color and texture to a film, and who knows how to move the story along, then he's not overrated.

If you rate him as one of the best composers ever, and put him in the same league as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Bernard Hermann, then he is overrated.
 
Objectively he is clearly NOT overrated. The rest is just personal opinion. The fact that big production studios still hire him and pay him big $ is because they know they get something for their money, not because his name is HZ. People may go for a movie if it's done by a certain director but do they go for a movie because of a certain film composer? I doubt it. As long as we see his name in movies and as long as big studios pay him for the job he is worth every penny and certainly not overrated. Either way, he is already a legend in film music and that's a fact!
 
It’s pathetic really.
The same jealous folks would kiss the ZMans Ass is they thought it might help them in their career.
 
HelixK said:
All the great film composers needed help at some point in their careers, even Williams, Herrman, Goldsmith, you name it. That does not mean they could not write all the music if they had the time.
Click to expand...

Not all of them. EM. Just sayin’.

In a sense isnt it the goal of someone in the film or music business to be highly rated or preferably overrated? That’s kind of how you get the job and the confidence from those who are paying you.
 
marclawsonmusic said:
I don't know of any modern composer who has taken so many people along with him. You really should do your research because Hans has helped so many other writers and players and always given them credit.

This kind of thread is depressing and why I have stayed away from VI for the past couple of years. Bummer, really.
Click to expand...

I sure am glad you're here to set me straight.
 
Dietz said:
That theme from "Inception" is a perfect example: How could one overrate a man who is able to evoke a whole universe of emotions by means of just four chords (or actually their constant alteration)? ... I mixed this and the rest of the gala concert for TV a few weeks ago, and it sent shivers down my spine every single time I heard it during the process:

Click to expand...



As silly as this thread is, I love this video. Just ace to see someone having such a good time listening to and playing their own music.

:thumbsup:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom