Alan Silvestri |

Avengers: Endgame (2019) by Alan Silvestri

Get it: If you’ve enjoyed Silvestri’s previous work in the MCU and would like to hear those themes take their next step.

Don’t get it: If you want a fresh take on the film that doesn’t rely on the past music of the series.

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Avengers: Endgame is the epic finale of the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there is quite a lot riding on the soundtrack to deliver. Fortunately, they got Alan Silvestri to provide the music for this film, and he was the perfect choice given his previous involvement in this franchise (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War).

First, we take a look at the new. This score continues the sound established in the previous film, Infinity War. There’s a sadness to it in parts, partly due to where the heroes find themselves in the beginning of the film. You also hear a call to action in there as well. Some still new music from IW return as well, particularly one relating to an Infinity Stone.

The main attraction (and the biggest success) of this score, however, is the return of the known cues. Individual characters get brief and subtle, yet noticeable, references to their own themes, such as Ant- Man and Captain America. The music for the title card is an evolution of those up to this point, only this time possessing a flare of glory fitting that of the finale.

Perhaps the most memorable track of the music is Portals. This one track encompasses the journey these heroes — and the audience — have taken recently. You have the reminders of loss. You have the heartbeat of the drum. Then, finally, you have the sounds of renewal and restoration. Then it happens, what everyone has been waiting for in both the music and the film. The main theme makes its grand appearance, more epic than used ever before. The music narrates the characters having their moment of glory and triumph in a way satisfying to all.

Then, at the movie’s conclusion, we get one more take on the theme during the end credits that are an absolutely perfect match to what is happening on- screen (for those who haven’t seen, the end credits are a little different from normal). In the end, this music delivered in a way only Silvestri could and provided the emotion and narration essential to this film. It really is the life of this series, and anyone would be hard-pressed to write a better conclusion.

The soundtrack to Avengers: Endgame can be found here.

Listen to the score for yourself here.

The Avengers Soundtrack Cover (Alan Silvestri)

The Avengers Soundtrack by Alan Silvestri (2012)

Get it: If you love action and consistent suspense in a soundtrack and like the occasional splash of the main theme

Don’t get it: If you are looking for a soundtrack that is good to listen to without any visuals and are hoping for a large range of melody

The Avengers was the movie of 2012. The world was watching and waiting for something great. Alan Silvestri had an enormous task in writing a s0undtrack that not only matched the film, but also matched the audience’s excitement and anticipation. Silvestri delivered on those points.

At the very beginning of the soundtrack, Silvestri incorporates an excellent “uneasy” feeling. Also in the beginning, although it continues throughout, he teases the listener with hints of the famous main theme. Overall, this soundtrack is very good action music. The highlights are when he gives hints of the main theme, but otherwise it feels a little empty. This is not placing any blame on Silvestri since he was just matching the script which did not allow for a broad range. In fact, even director Joss Whedon said, “Alan has provided a score that is so specific and so narrative-based,” which, again, isn’t a bad thing. It doesn’t, however, leave much room for a melody worth listening to without visuals. Whedon continued to say that the score is powerful and great. Power really did come through when Silvestri used brass and strings in such a way that evoke a true sense of might. The rhythm has the qualities of rather generic action movies, but even still it is done well. It also seems that there are one or two fun references to Captain America’s theme thrown into the score, which is a nice reflection of Silvestri’s other work in the series.

This gives a great mood for the film, but isn’t really one to listen to without the film to accompany it. There are multiple splashes of excitement in the soundtrack, but they only last for a relatively short time. The rare use of the main theme is understandable given the movie context and the characters not truly uniting until closer to the end. When it gets exciting, though — it gets exciting.

Then comes the main theme. The rhythm of the strings is exhilarating. The entrance of the brass only adds to the already awesome sound. When the percussion enters, it is almost slightly startling but more than welcome. It slows for a moment, again allowing for anticipation to build for one last time. Then, at the height of the track, the music becomes a symbol of power, might, and invincibility. Hearing this almost makes the listener want to go out and save the world. Anyone who has seen the film can clearly picture the heroes gathered together in the middle of the battle at that pivotal moment. This track is truly the theme for those characters. Anyone would be hard-pressed to write another theme that suits the heroes as well.

Click here to listen to the Main Theme

Click here to shop for the soundtrack

Tag Archives: Alan Silvestri

Avengers: Endgame (Alan Silvestri)

The Avengers (Alan Silvestri)