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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to explain what makes these tracks awesome. A video link is not context. Identifying when a track plays is not context. A single adjective is not context. WHY are these tracks AWESOME?
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Works to which Zimmer has contributed with their own pages:
[[index]]
* ''AwesomeMusic/CallOfDuty''
* ''AwesomeMusic/TheDarkKnightTrilogy''
* ''[[AwesomeMusic/XMenFilmSeries Dark Phoenix]]''.
* ''AwesomeMusic/DCExtendedUniverse''
* ''AwesomeMusic/DuneDenisVilleneuve''
* ''AwesomeMusic/{{Interstellar}}''
* ''AwesomeMusic/JamesBond'' (specifically, ''Film/NoTimeToDie'')
* ''AwesomeMusic/KungFuPanda2''
* ''AwesomeMusic/KungFuPanda3''
* ''AwesomeMusic/TheLionKing1994''
* ''AwesomeMusic/TheLionKing2019''
* ''AwesomeMusic/{{Madagascar}}''
* ''AwesomeMusic/PiratesOfTheCaribbean''
* ''AwesomeMusic/ThePrinceOfEgypt''
* ''AwesomeMusic/TheRoadToElDorado''
* ''AwesomeMusic/SpiderMan''
* ''AwesomeMusic/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun''
[[/index]]
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* The [[https://youtu.be/RZIVphczMbY Finale]] of ''Film/TheLoneRanger'': a beefed-up version of the William Tell Overture mixed in with variations and Zimmer's original compositions. One of the few saving graces of the film.
* ''Film/TheThinRedLine'':
** "[[https://youtu.be/TG9-j3eevL4 Journey to the Line]]" starts as a weird repetitive pinging sound in the background; builds to a heart-rending climax.
** Probably his most unified orchestral work,[[note]]thanks in part to the contributions of John Powell[[/note]] the album flows seamlessly with the visuals from beginning to end. But that is easily the most [[StandardSnippet famous snippet]] from the film and can be heard in other film trailers.
** [[https://youtu.be/rdvA0jgjwA0 "Coral Atoll"]] when Witt is AWOL in the [[{{Arcadia}} Melanesian village]] and reflecting on [[{{Foreshadowing}} his mother's death]]; [[https://youtu.be/PG3kJuvmqw0 "Light"]] is probably the most contemplative piece about the aftermath of a battle; [[https://youtu.be/Wj_enTaVk0Y "Stone in my Heart"]] when Witt floats the wounded soldier downriver; And then the [[https://youtu.be/-a2jugsYQXM Melanesian]] [[https://youtu.be/xA1naOcQo7s singing]] [[TearJerker/{{Film}} kicks in]] at the [[BookEnds beginning and end]]...
* ''Film/BlackHawkDown'' has a great score from start to finish, but the climax is with the last two pieces. The first is a beautiful song, "[[https://youtu.be/lDdPGfvsfyI Gortoz a ran (I Await)]]," sung in Breton, and you can ''tell'' that it's a song of grief and loss even without understanding the lyrics (and they play it as they show the flag-draped coffins of the dead soldiers, the epilogue appears on screen, and an unknown soldier tells his wife to "be strong, tuck the girls in bed, and give them a kiss from daddy"). The second is "[[https://youtu.be/yJi0H7D17IM The Minstrel Boy]]", which runs as the credits begin. It has to be heard to be appreciated. Another music piece that stands out is "[[https://youtu.be/-u3Ux6ky57Y Tribal War]]", which is a more action-oriented piece. However, it subverts the typical "awesome" battle music by becoming immensely menacing in tone. It sounds less like an epic battle is happening and more like a monster is on the loose.
* ''{{Film/Gladiator}}''[='=]s musical finale is also extremely touching, climaxing with the track [[https://youtu.be/vHAvjaHtlMA Now We Are Free]], which is sung in a language that no one can understand but conveys the ''exact'' message as the title. [[https://youtu.be/ZAOTSO9ioZk The Battle]] is ten minutes of pure AWESOME.
* ''Film/KingArthur2004'' [[WhatCouldHaveBeen sadly didn't quite come off]] because of [[SoOkayItsAverage the script]]... but Zimmer's score and Clive Owen makes you feel it at the end: [[https://youtu.be/tloVx_b-YIs "All Of Them" (Marriage of Arthur and Guinevere).]] And as for [[https://youtu.be/nsRgOS1K--c "Budget Meeting"]], face it - that sheerly epic instrumentation is the sole reason (aside from scrumptious donuts) that people would even bother to ''attend'' budget meetings in real life.
* For a film that is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, ''Film/MuppetTreasureIsland''[='s=] "[[https://youtu.be/RisL9l8HzmM Shiver My Timbers]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/2jZCAAzgSV4 Professional Pirate]]" are some great pirate songs. Then again, music composed by Hans Zimmer and sung by Tim Curry is automatically bound for awesome.
** The ''Muppet Treasure Island'' main theme is a great example of a rousing pirate score.
** The incomparable, [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments gut-busting]], and [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment completely random]] "[[https://youtu.be/F-bbbQDjkTY Cabin Fever]]".
* From ''Film/TheDaVinciCode'': "Chevalier du Sangreal." Also a TearJerker. Say what you will about the rest of the movie; the last scene [[https://youtu.be/KcfNpfaGejA WINS.]] It's so good that it's become Robert Langdon's theme, appearing prominently in the subsequent two films, usually to close out the movie as well.
* ''Mission Impossible 2'' had a pretty fantastic score, and not only because of Zimmer's badass reworking of the main theme. "Mano-A-Mano" is pure epic, and the track "Injection" made the scene it was used in surprisingly moving - especially considering the silliness of the plot.
* ''Film/{{Backdraft}}'' definitely deserves to be on here, if only for the song [[https://youtu.be/Kg1IjbIBXZQ "Show me your firetruck"]], which, Creator/FoodNetwork watchers [[Series/IronChef might recognize...]] (Sadly, the rights expired for the use of Zimmer's score, and the old episodes of ''Iron Chef'' shown in reruns now use different music.)
* ''WesternAnimation/SpiritStallionOfTheCimarron'' is an animated movie about a horse. The horse, amazingly, never speaks more than a bit of narration. It doesn't matter, because Hans Zimmer wrote the score, and co-wrote several of the songs, and it is AWESOMELY expressive:
** "[[https://youtu.be/wIt0WCWcZWQ Homeland]]" is equally graceful and majestic, especially with the big musical swell at the 2:46 mark. It helps that this track is basically an instrumental version of the film's [[ThemeSong thematic anthem]], "[[https://youtu.be/crYGDqtTtho I Will Always Return]]."
** "[[https://youtu.be/GlfCzxSTAKU Reunion]]" -- it perfectly expresses Spirit's unbridled (pun intended) joy at seeing that Rain is OK, and finally being able to go home (though there ''is'' a brief moment where he shares a tear-jerking goodbye with Little Creek).
*** For that matter, there's "[[https://youtu.be/2RW2bP8V4J0 Swimming]]," a sweet piece that plays over the scene where Spirit and Rain begin bonding. Both tracks are instrumentals of the song "[[https://youtu.be/QPVOKCnMcOg Nothing I've Ever Known]]," which narrates Spirit's conflicting feelings over his deepening love for Rain and his desire to return to his homeland.
** "[[https://youtu.be/I6HphiEUx1I Canyon Chase]]" must be, by far, Zimmer's greatest chase cue to date, after "[[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Stampede]]." It never fails to get your adrenaline pumping.
*** Almost immediately thereafter, we have "[[https://youtu.be/pgDzqM-JliY Leap of Faith]]" -- the icing on the cake.
* While he is known largely for his movie soundtracks, he also composed the soundtracks for {{Creator/HBO}} shows''Series/BandOfBrothers'' and ''Series/ThePacific''. The latter's opening theme, [[https://youtu.be/0P47yvI7SWM Honor,]] is particularly breathtaking.
* For an action movie example, ''Film/TheRock''. The first half of [[https://youtu.be/qXmu-aLu3Mw "Hummell Gets The Rockets"]] (from the opening scene) is an emotionally powerful piece.
%%* ''Film/TearsOfTheSun'', particularly [[https://youtu.be/F3thngs2mbw "Cameroon Border Post"]].
%%* From ''Film/TheLastSamurai'', "A Way of Life", "Red Warrior", "A Small Measure of Peace", and "The Way of the Sword".
* ''Film/AngelsAndDemons'':
** The first track, [[https://youtu.be/RuzdgFCSE1c 160 BPM,]] also known as the Illuminati theme, is something diabolically epic and yet again entirely different from Zimmer.
** [[https://youtu.be/Cf3Rv9x5WX4 "Election by Adoration",]] carried by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell's solo, and an awesome backing on the organ.
%%** [[https://youtu.be/KNM3mFRsdcw The God Particle]], especially at the beginning.
* The score of ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda1'' deserves a mention for its awesome combination of Western and Chinese motifs.
** [[http://www.wat.tv/video/kung-fu-1yd7m_1xtbh_.html "Sacred Pool Of Tears"]] (stops at 2:55) is incredibly moving at the beginning, then made of awesomeness. [[https://youtu.be/cdjnonJdxtM "Oogway Ascends"]] is a tear jerker.
** Tai Lung's Theme, which appears at various points throughout [[https://youtu.be/IKbGrvxZSjY "Tai Lung Escapes"]], "The Bridge", and "Shifu vs. Tai Lung" (Not to mention all the cool kung fu fighting music!).
** [[https://youtu.be/KuC9qt_3jts "Panda Po"]], [[https://youtu.be/Ft5OyaX_c0g "Hero"]] are also [[ShapedLikeItself legendarily]] [[{{Buffyspeak}} legendary]] pieces.
** From ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', the track [[https://youtu.be/Rq3EKVxYtpk "Po Finds the Truth"]] where he finally learns how he became an orphan and [[TookALevelInBadass takes a level in badass]]. Epic, heartwarming, and tear-jerking all in one.
%%** Also from the sequel, [[https://youtu.be/mHNCURegik8 "The Invasion Begins"]] and [[https://youtu.be/BS3vRuZBlLA "Zen Ball Master"]] (which is a remix of "Hero").
%%* ''Film/RainMan'', primarily for "Las Vegas".
%%* His work on the soundtrack for ''Film/ThePacific'', particularly the opening theme, [[https://youtu.be/XpdffyOFJso "Honor"]].
* ''Film/{{Inception}}'':
** [[https://youtu.be/Z0kGAz6HYM8 "Time"]]. [[https://youtu.be/LqRZ2_w56U0 This ten-hour loop]] has over ''five million'' views. That's more than a quarter of the views on the official video.
** "Half Remembered Dream"; best introduction music ever made.
** The most epic of all: [[https://youtu.be/VqoGc-4Uxbg THE LIVE]] [[https://youtu.be/tIY8sZs1i4s CONCERT.]]
%%** [[https://youtu.be/OReELb8wtsE "Dream is Collapsing"]].
%%** [[https://youtu.be/EbwNnJ7UMek "528491"]].
%%** [[https://youtu.be/tj-f8h3e-8o "Mombasa"]].
%%Administrivia/WeblinksAreNotExamples.
* ''Film/CrimsonTide'': [[https://youtu.be/RAeyBi-vgMs "Roll Tide"]]. And an even more EpicRocking version by Music/{{Nightwish|Band}}: [[https://youtu.be/VKmb4-iesh8 "Roll Tide"]].
* The ''Film/SherlockHolmes2009'' soundtrack, especially "[[https://youtu.be/b1WKLy84amg Psychological Recovery...6 Months]]", which gets bonus points for being more than [[EpicRocking eighteen minutes long]]. If you haven't got that kind of time, [[https://youtu.be/cJwLGXfajuc Discombobulate]] manages to encapsulate pretty much everything you need to know about the Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Holmes, the setting, and the music for the rest of the film in one quirkily awesome two and a half minute package. And while it's more sedate at the beginning, [[https://youtu.be/NgzRXTZ36lg#t=192s the last three minutes of "Catatonic"]] build up to an absolutely furiously paced climax that must have set a more than a couple violins on fire.
* Mention should also be made of Hans Zimmer's first collaboration with Lebo M., ''Literature/ThePowerOfOne'':
** The opening track, "[[https://youtu.be/PFp_puk7cRs The Rainmaker]]" is absolutely EPIC. If ever there was a piece of music that could be described as the spiritual predecessor to "Circle of Life," this would be the one.
** [[https://youtu.be/GvC1LxBF2OQ Both]] [[https://youtu.be/PZNp6AFBKdg versions]] of "Mother Africa." Pure musical ''gold''.
** There's also the gentle, somber "[[https://youtu.be/7tr7t04QBwA Of Death and Dying]]."
** Three words: "[[https://youtu.be/65fXqyhO5fQ Penny Whistle Song]]." Playful, jaunty, and utterly hummable.
* From ''WesternAnimation/{{Rango}}'', "[[https://youtu.be/PIGzvc5eiRY Bats]]." Pretty interesting use of public domain music.
** Also, "Music/RideOfTheValkyries" ''on banjos.''
** [[https://youtu.be/hiXyKU70iuc Walk Don't Rango]] will make you want to rango all day long.
%%* His incredible theme for ''Film/{{Broken Arrow|1996}},'' which Marco Beltrami would later (controversially?) [[RecycledSoundtrack recycle]] for ''Film/{{Scream 2}}.'' [[https://youtu.be/J0X8oKr6Hso Give it a listen.]]
* His work on ''Film/TwelveYearsASlave'' brought many into tears, particularly with the track, "[[https://youtu.be/jfQUmHwkg5c Nothing to Forgive]]".
* ''Drop Zone'' has [[https://youtu.be/_e_a-bS7ugA Too Many Notes, Not Enough Rests]] and [[https://youtu.be/qpq-JQNt9tc After the Dub]], both of which would later become RecycledTrailerMusic. The former also [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong sounds similar to]] [[https://youtu.be/s17XDrKuqc4 He's a Pirate]] from ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean''.
%%* Hans Zimmer's score to ''Film/BlackRain''. [[https://youtu.be/ur4kYdHHm-s An example]].
* The beauty of his contibution for ''Series/PlanetEarth II'' will give you chills. [[https://youtu.be/c8aFcHFu8QM Just watch the trailer and cry]].
* ''Film/{{Dunkirk}}'': [[https://youtu.be/n1VJ39nVIBk "Supermarine"]] is appropriately tense in regards to both the intensity of the dogfights over the English Channel and the race against the clock the gigantic evacuation is.
* His theme for ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'', equal parts his score for ''Film/DrivingMissDaisy'' and Music/GeorgeGershwin, complete with a clarinet glissando right out of "Rhapsody In Blue." It perfectly encapsulates the BigApplesauce feel of the show.
* ''Film/DrivingMissDaisy'' has easily one of the best all-electronic scores of any major motion picture. Even cooler is that there's not a single other musician playing in it other than Zimmer himself. Every note of it is him on synthesizers (it eventually got a proper orchestral version during his ''Live In Prague'' show and still managed to sound catchy).
* [[https://youtu.be/QEAiRutzej4 "Skipping Stones"]] is a collaboration with Dan Reynolds of Music/ImagineDragons fame. If that doesn't convince you it's awesome, the rich violins and Dan's crooning voice will. It's probably the most heartwarming Hans Zimmer song this side of "Aurora".
* One of Zimmer's earliest TV scores is that for ''[[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtbPqxr-6l36G--GhjutrvorE5RHU6MEe Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World]]'', in 1992. The score to this series boasts such musical gems as "[[https://youtu.be/W0zhb5ovmhA Stories for a Thousand Years]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/ipHNARK169s The Journey Begins]]" (the latter of which was later used as the [[RecycledTrailerMusic trailer music]] for ''Film/FlyAwayHome'').
* ''Film/TopGunMaverick'', the [[SequelGap long-awaited]] sequel to ''Film/TopGun'', not only has Harold Faltermeyer returning to do the score, but also ups the ante by having him do a collaboration with the one and only Hans Zimmer. The best examples include [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztWuAKte8nk "Canyon Dogfight"]], which plays in the epic FinalBattle against [[TheDreaded the 5th generation fighter]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXjziluIx8 "The Man, The Legend"]], a perfect and heartwarming theme for when Maverick and Rooster return to the aircraft carrier as heroes, their mission accomplished, and finally, the TriumphantReprise of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zq7ujKwuRY "Top Gun Anthem"]], which will most likely be leaving you with a big smile on your face as the credits roll.
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