Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

The music for this third chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a traditional, efficient action score that, due to the film's setting, occasionally incorporates light Asian touches. The popularity of Hans "Long John" Zimmer (all the credits in the CD's liner notes include pirate-themed nicknames, like the roll call in a Simpsons Halloween episode) isn't in doubt--he sure is one in-demand composer--but afficionados are divided about his artistic worth, and this score isn't about to reconcile them. Some think that Zimmer relies too much on his stable of composers and sticks to tried-and-true recipes; others admire his capacity to weave themes in and out of cues, creating a whole made of subtly interrelated parts. At World's End feeds both camps: Seven of his collaborators are credited with writing "additional music," and the album feels by-the-numbers at times; but those inclined to listen very closely will be rewarded by the way Zimmer sneaks in bits of two main melodies (especially variations on the first track, a pirate theme titled "Hoist the Colours" and cowritten by director Gore Verbinski) throughout. The use of electronics is so light as to be almost undetectable, which will please fans of a more organic orchestral sound. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

love it

This is a great CD, I'm a huge POTC fan. I listen to it as I run, it really helps me focus and I find myself running longer. Definitely a good buy if you like soundtracks. August 8, 2008

More of the Same Dribble

The first POTC movie was great; well written, well acted, entertaining, fun and had a decent story to boot. Both of the sequels were utterly abysmal on all of the formerly mentioned levels. As for the soundtracks, Curse of the Black Pearl was composed by Klaus Badelt, who while obviously a different person than Zimmer, is a clone from the same studio. Still, this was by far the best of the three, providing the groundwork for the well-known theme that would late be expanded upon and butchered at times. Dead Man's Chest was absolutely horrific, with non-stop bombastic clashes of drums, symbols and low strings. At World's End offers little more, with Drink Up Me Hearties and Up Is Down being the only worthwhile listens. Hans Zimmer is falling down the same path as James Horner, consistently producing music that sounds too similar. However, James Horner does have a dynamic range and complexity that Zimmer seems to lack. The new score for The Dark Knight is his best work of late, almost entirely because of the (unfortunately) few additions by James Newton Howard.


If you are a fan of the movies, you may enjoy this score, because it is certainly better than the atrocious films. If you are a fan of Hans Zimmer, this may be a mixed bag because it is clearly represenative of the composer's style, but lacks the substance of his truly fantastic works like the scores for The Last Samurai, King Arthur and Crimson Tide. But on a musical level, it really is quite a disaster. July 14, 2008

Not as good as I was hoping, great for background music at work.

I loved the music from the film, and I can tell when some of these tracks were played in the movie, but it was like a lot of the more instrumental soundtracks - a bit more repetitive than I was expecting. It's not bad, but knowing what it's like I wouldn't buy it again. July 7, 2008

Least Favorite Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack

I didn't LOVE this CD. It only has 3 or 4 good songs. The only reason they are good is because it sounds like the other 2 Soundtracks. It didn't blow me away, either. The best tracks are the following : 1, 5, 12, 13. Even so...the first song is not even complete.

I was expecting the very best of Hans Zimmer...but it disappointed me. So far, the best Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack is the first.

If you are a complete fan of these movies..then its just good for your collection, and even so, its probably going to be in a corner collecting dust. If you just like the movies and and thinking of buying this CD because of the music and previous experiences of the other soundtracks, then don't bother with this CD, you are not missing out on much. Its not going to change your world. Trust me, if you have the option of buying the single tracks online, then do so. Its really the best option, and it saves you money... Just buy the singles that are listed above. June 20, 2008

Arrrrg Pickles

This is a great soundtrack. You can't help but picture the whole movie as you listen. Much more varied than the first movie's soundtrack. June 2, 2008

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