First of one should know that I am already NOT a fan of the Galdiator score. I found it many times distracting and quite annoying. Other times very fitting and beautiful(mainly the guitar/voice parts).

All in all CTHD is a much better score. I find it deeper emotionally and more exciting due to the amazing DRUM FIGHT songs. It worked 300% in the film while the Gladiator score WAS JUST THERE. I love the CTHD score. It sounds like nothing I have heard for a while...Gladiator although good on some scenes, was distracting, expecially during the first battle sequence.

I say CTHD knocks out Gladiator in the 6th round with a left-right combo to the skull as Gladiator lets the guard down.

Seriously, I can compare because I don't have CTHD and I haven't even watched it. The Asians think that the movie is just an expensive kung fu movie.

On the other hand, Gladiator is growing in me. I listen to it almost every day like what I did for The Rock. The "victorious" music (the end of Barbarian Horde) just makes you feel like conquering the day.

I agree that in some moments (esp. The Battle) is not an easy listen to non-score fans and to some score fans too. To enjoy it, one must like the movie, and know the music in the movie well (which I did). Anyway, the same goes for other scores out there.

But we all know that MISSION TO MARS, by Morricone, is by far the best score of 2000 - too bad the movie was such a box-office flop...

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But we all know that MISSION TO MARS, by Morricone, is by far the best score of 2000 -too bad the movie was such a box-office flop

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indeed, spoken like a man of fine taste and sensiblity!

but I also loved The Cell.... :-(
I'm torn!

CTHD=Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

I do not care which film you think is better or worse, I am only going on SCORE here, in score, especially theme,and in every major score movement, CTHD wins in my opinion. It fits better in the film. It is smooth with the film and flows nicely while Gladiator's score is just there, nothing amazing. CTHD score makes you listen to it while you are watching the film even though you are paying attention TO the film. That is why CTHD should win.

to Andre on M2M

"The Asians think that the movie is just an expensive kung fu movie."

Will, how often do you listen to "The Asians" when deciding whether or not to like something?

I've only heard one track from CTHD so can't comment on this score.

More importantly I'm off this Saturday to see main man Morricone in concert in London!...I can't wait

p.s. Gladiator was so dirivitive of Holst and Wagner that I just couldn't take it seriously as an original score!

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Seriously, I can compare because I don't have CTHD and I haven't even watched it. The Asians think that the movie is just an expensive kung fu movie.

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To realise your own analysis of the film, you need to watch CTHD on your own terms and not develop opinions based on what your friends think. Your sense of individuality is at stake here while allowing blinded conformity to prevail.

Finally, a handful of Asians do not speak for all Asians. By your logic, assuming you and your friends like 'Gladiator'...then all Asians do.

Whether or not Asians like an Asian film neither 'authenticates' or derides it.
Ditto, for Western audiences and their respective films.

Both 'Gladiator' and 'CTHD' speak universal themes of love, loyalty, spiritually, betrayal, and the triumph of good over evil.

Kross hits the nail on the head when stating.."race has nothing to do with a film being good or bad".

Finally, I get much pleasure from listening to both scores but I hope Tan Dun wins the Oscar. Mine being one opinion in a system of many.

Regards,
Rochelle

Cheers to you Rochelle!
Not only bright but also very beautiful!

"Gladiator" has its merits but it cannot compare to the mastery of "Spartacus" or "Ben Hur" as music or as a film score. This is not meant to take away from what is overall a good score. But much of what doesn't sound like Holst and Wagner (and note that Zimmer claims that this is intentional so don't blame him because it sounds like a Ridley Scott decision), sounds like plenty of other Zimmer scores, especially "Prince of Egypt".

The only thing marring the CD of CTHD is having both the pop songs next to each other on the disc. Small quibble, but I would have put the Mandarin version at the head of the CD and the English one at the end.

And, I am so tired of reading about how non-action scores are not interesting. There is much to be said for the beauty of the music in CTHD as much as there is for the interesting Battle Waltz of Gladiator.

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Originally posted by Lancelot:
That's one small step for chauvanism....

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Is it, Lancie?
Do you think she is gonna sue me for that?

Damm! A man can't even say that a girl is cute this days...

CTHD is the better score, based on criteria that a score should first and foremost fit the images it is composed for. Guys, I know this may be news to some of us...but the listenability of a score is really not an issue here. Gladiator is very listenable (and I love the Battle parts not because I have seen the movie, but because it is a driven piece and raises my adrenaline to new hights), yet, to me, so is CTHD. But, again, this all doesn't matter that much...sure for us insane collectors...but we are a unique breed...for a score must be judged first in conjunction with the film.

Scott