I've never been a huge fan of John Powell's music, but...wow. What he's done for the third X-Men is really remarkable. This score is packed with powerful, sweeping themes, rousing percussion, and a surprising amount of emotion, which the first two scores seemed to lack, though Ottman's score was considerably better than Kamen's.

The dominant theme, heard first in the rousing "Bathroom Titles" is given some great treatment throughout, though my favorite use of it is in "The Funeral" and "The Last Stand." With these tracks, Powell turns this action cue into a beautiful and moving theme--a technique that Powell is more than capable of doing, and doing it well.

My favorite theme by far, and quite possibly the best cue Powell has ever written, is the Phoenix theme. Not only is it very powerful, but is given some great treatments in "Dark Phoenix's Tragedy" and "Phoenix Rises", which makes use of some nice choir. I get goosebumps listening to it.

I vote this is as one of the best scores to come out in 2006, and definitely John Powell's most accomplished work to date. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this guy.