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JOHN OTTMAN Superman Returns Rhino ****

Having provided memorable scores as well as film editing duties to nearly all of Bryan Singer's films, the multi-talented composer John Ottman excels himself on Singer's new Superman Returns. Incorporating themes from John Williams's score to the original Superman (notably the Copland-esque Fanfare and Superman March), Ottman lets loose with a dynamic score of bold colours (notably brass and strings), strong melodies, and lush orchestration. Main Titles, So Long Superman and Memories knowingly celebrate the neo-romantic impulses of Williams's 1978 score, while the dramatic Not Like the Train Set and The People You Care For recall the genre-savvy Ottman's recent brooding score to House of Wax, and Bank Job and Saving the World evoke the playful exuberance of his score to Fantastic Four. Superman Returns is serious fun. www.supermanreturns.warnerbros.com

Jocelyn Clarke