Sony Music releases the original motion picture soundtrack of The Wolverine, composed by the Oscar-nominated Marco Beltrami. Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world, he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality...

Marco Beltrami's score for The Wolverine sees the composer enter into the superhero genre. It could be just me, but I was expecting a certain feeling from this score - as with most superhero-based soundtracks - something memorable, something thematic. But there's no real identity here, not even anything that really stands out as a strong main theme. Maybe that's a directorial choice, maybe moviegoers need things shaking up a bit, but personally I found this score a little flat.

That's not to say it doesn't have its moments. HIghlights include the short, but sweet, 'A Walk in the Woods'; 'Two Handed'; 'Abduction' (which reminded me of John Barry's music for Midnight Cowboy); the slightly thematic 'The Wolverine'; 'Sword of Vengeance'; and my favourite track on the album 'Where to?'

As much of a fan of Beltrami's work as I usually am, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed with his output for The Wolverine. When he's allowed to shine, he delivers some beautiful themes, but there are a few too many background atmospheric tracks here that stir nothing in the listener when heard outside of the movie.

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Darren Rea