> Pitch Black - *1/2

Never actually heard this score but the theme at the end stuck in my memory even just watching the film way back in the day, simple but effective. Of course, you get that plus some actually listenable other music in the sequel, so I hope you don't skip that one.

> Titan AE – ***

This was such an odd movie for Don Bluth to go out on, in retrospect. Can't remember a lick of the score in this instance.

> X-Men - ****

I'm kinda surprised you like this one so much, doesn't seem like your sort of thing at all (and given your qualms about Kamen you expressed earlier). Haven't checked out the expansion yet, but I don't honestly remember it being particularly heroic, thematic or action-packed, although the melody in "Logan and Rogue" is lovely.

> The 6th Day - *****

I've only heard the main theme from this, which is great (I may like it more than his two themes from Armageddon even). But even better, it uses a sample that's also in the music for Age of Empires (and would go on to be in HGW's Spy Game too)! That just tickles my brain in all the right ways.

> Proof of Life - ****1/2

> As far as
> brooding, very percussive pulse-pounding music goes, Elfman never did any
> better.

Not even the very next year?

> Vertical Limit - **1/2

> James Newton Howard has scored a lot of great action thrillers. He’s also
> scored a lot that were surprisingly…boring? I hate to use that word with
> such a talented composer but stuff like Vertical Limit is just…kinda
> boring. It goes through all the motions you expect and when it’s over you
> realize you can’t recall or remember a thing about it. Meh.

This score got shafted by its album, which left out the best and most substantial action cue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGbmuc8VIHM

I don't think it's as good as a lot of the other JNH action/adventure efforts from the same era, but it's decent. The main theme is pretty memorable I think.