Carl Roberts 
Showcasing the legendary composer’s epic journey through Dubai, Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert is a must watch for movie fans.
There are concert films. And then there’s Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert. Audiences around the world can’t fail to recognise some of the superb music the composer has provided over the years. From the haunting theme ‘Time’ from Inception. The mythic music from Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. The exciting additional themes he brought to Wonder Woman 1984. And, of course, his sterling, unforgettable work for The Lion King. These classic pieces of music trancend the course of time and make an indelible mark on us. These pieces of film music history are all here as well as some more of his classic music.
The film isn’t limited to just the concert. Along the way, friends of the legendary composer, including Billie Eilish. Jerry Bruckheimer. Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve appear in filmed conversations. They discuss the work they have done with Zimmer and the movies he scored for the filmmakers concerned. Although at times, this takes us out of the experience we are viewing, it doesn’t distract from the sheer emotion we feel throughout. These conversations also open up what lies behind the composer’s epic compositions, the thought behind them, and what they brought to the films he provided the score to. Additionally, there are sequences filmed across the desert dunes, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
THE CONCERT
With a runtime of two hours and thirty-eight minutes, twenty minutes of the film are dedicated to conversations with artists and filmmakers whom Zimmer collaborated with over the years. That leaves us with almost 140 minutes of watching Zimmer and his orchestra, The Disruptive Collective, perform some of the best movie music ever created. Just from watching the concert footage, we see the orchestra and Zimmer himself don’t actually play the classic themes. They FEEL them, diving head first emotionally into the compositions. This isn’t one of those appear on stage, play the music and get out. This is something that impacts the orchestra and the audience with an emotion that cannot overstated.
Even the sequences filmed outside and away from the main concert hit us with wave after wave of emotion. Some of these scenes play outside of the arena before combining with the concert itself. It is incredible. Watching Lisa Gerrard appear and perform her vocals from Gladiator cannot help but blow us all away. Seeing Loire Cotler provide the chanting for Dune and discovering she nearly ruins her throat every time she performs it is incredible. And the revelation of what Zimmer put a musician through to get the screeching melody for The Joker’s theme in The Dark Knight is hilarious while also showing the length the composer will go to to get that perfect melody. As is the revelation that Christopher Nolan actually had to stop Zimmer from providing more music for his Batman trilogy when Zimmer thought it wasn’t enough.
THEMES
Everyone has their favorite composition by Hans Zimmer. Many of these are performed during concerts, including those from the two Dune movies, Wonder Woman 1984, The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean Gladiator, Interstellar, Inception, and more as we sit and listen to these compositions being performed. The orchestra’s passionate rendition has us anticipating a surge of familiarity and admiration for what we know cherish. When it comes, such the Batman theme, blast of Pirates of the Caribbean theme, Wonder Woman‘s theme, and Man of Steel, we are blown away.The orchestra plays them with passion and emotion, which transfers to us.
The performances of the music from Dune and Gladiator have us eating from the palm of Zimmer’s hand. But, of course, he then throws us into a frenzy. The outstanding vocals Of Lebo M, beginning the presentation on stage of The Lion King, hits us in the gut. We can’t fail to have shivers down our spines as the vocals and the music erupts in front of us. The audience in Dubai rightfully screams in sheer joy as we are given something we have been hoping. As do we as we watch such an epic presentation of the work.
VERDICT
This is as close as we will come to being astounded with the works Of Hans Zimmer unless we are lucky enough to have a ticket to one of his live performances. This is pure emotion from the start. We can’t say we are watching the film. We are experiencing it. The joy, the raw emotion, the genuine flood of feeling we get during the film. We don’t watch the concert. We FEEL it, from the top of our head to the tips of our toes. This isn’t simply a concert movie, this is an experience that we never knew we’d have. Although i’d rather have it end with The Lion King performance, it doesn’t distract from the joy that is to be had. Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert is that rare gem that we didn’t realise, as film fans, we needed. It is incredible. See it in a screen that has the best sound system around to get the full, unadulterated effect. This Diamond In The Desert is the real deal. A rare gem indeed.
Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert will be screening from March 19th. Check your local listings for times, venues and dates. Or visit HANSZIMMERFILM.COM
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
