John Williams vs Hans Zimmer: Who's the better composer?

Williams does a better "big but conventional, classical" score.

Zimmer does a better, "nuanced, textured, more modern, regardless of the scope" score.

And while I think Zimmer would have an easier time doing his thing with the big Williams' projects (Star Wars, Indy), I can't see Williams nailing something like Rain Man or True Romance (although Zimmer borrowed heavily from Carl Orff for True Romance). And, while Williams could probably have done something epic for Gladiator or PotC, his style would have struggled with Blackhawk Down or The Dark Knight.

Although some of the more epic films could have benefitted from either composer's touch, they are largely different tools for different tasks.

Like Carter Burwell. There are some pictures you can't imagine someone else scoring. But, he would be wrong for something like Star Wars or PotC.

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Is this a serious question?

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Insofar as it is possible to set aside "music, film and art do have some variances in taste", yes. Zimmer is highly prolific and influential. Many, many folks would have them in their Top 2 (and perhaps Max Steiner rounding out the Top 3 if they're really old ), although I will concede that most casual film fans will likely have John Williams their clear #1.

Doesn't mean we can't talk about it, right? It's a fricking message board.

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John Williams vs Hans Zimmer: Who's the better composer?

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Yes

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I was a Music Education major for a while and one of my classes I took actually studied Williams for half of the semester and Zimmer for the other half.

Both are very different in their approach to music and because of that you can't really compare the two - they are both prolific in what they do and both are Masters of the trade.

I put Williams as more of the "pop" sounding movie scores, and Zimmer as more of the "indie" sound. Williams generally is more catchy, while Zimmer tends to have slightly harder music that will stick with you (even if you don't walk around "humming it" like you would Williams)

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wow did not realize Zimmer did that modern warfare 2 intro as well.

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he did the whole game

Unfair to Zimmer to make this comparison. Like comparing Jordan to Kobe. Both great, but we all know which is easily the GOAT.

This is the most ridiculous question I've read in ages.


John is Hans' daddy.

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Williams as more of the "pop" sounding movie scores, and Zimmer as more of the "indie" sound. Williams generally is more catchy, while Zimmer tends to have slightly harder music that will stick with you

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This is a great way to put it. Williams has those instantly recognizable, iconic scores that everyone has mentioned. But man, the scores for inception and interstellar alone are incredible. They really heighten the stakes of those films.

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Williams has made multiple that are so iconic they are considered the very best in film history.

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I mean…not really. Star Wars was lifted from other composers and Indians Jones/Superman were just derivatives of that

You really can’t compare the two.

They are both masters in their own style of composing. You can be a fan of one, both, or neither, but you can not say one is better than the other.