The Lone Ranger

The majority of this score comes in the form of Hans Zimmer's tribute to classic western scoring filtered through his own more modern mannerisms. There's brutally engaging action, Jack Sparrow/Sherlock Holmes-adjacent material for Depp's Tonto, wacky saloon music, a wonderful Morricone tribute, and a sweepingly cathartic (if a bit derivative) finale. What elevates this score from an 8/10 to a 9, however, is the centerpiece action cue. Geoff Zanelli's reworking of the William Tell Overture Finale for the film's action climax is a ten minute, fully symphonic whirlwind of through composed action and many of the score's themes blended expertly with the famous Rossini material. Sometimes the overture's themes are bursting forth with full bravado; sometimes the rhythmic pattern plays a supporting role while Zanelli and Zimmer let rip with some of the score's original material. Effing fantastic piece, one of the best in film music history.