In a blockbuster supercut of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s greatest hits, covering all 23 films released in the series since 2008, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents an incredible array of action and spectacle at Hamer Hall.
Conducted by Nicholas Buc, the premiere artist in live film music, the event was a thrilling combination of music and projected film clips as the evening whizzed through a swathe of different composers, accompanied by the most exciting sequences of each film within the MCU.
Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert
- When: Until Saturday 18 October
- Where: Hamer Hall
- Tickets: here
View this post on Instagram
On a technical level, the concert was impeccably crafted, with the selected clips offering a brisk, thrilling overview of a gigantic assembly of action-packed comic book movies.
It was also a joy to actually hear the music, as each entry in the MCU has a tendency to drown out their scores with an overbearing array of loud, colourful sound effects. Allowing the orchestra full range to match the projected film clips in terms of sheer spectacle was a wonderfully immersive experience.
Marvel films are not often regarded for their catchy themes – notable exceptions being Black Panther and the Avengers theme – as their musical identity is somewhat homogenised across such a massive expanse of tightly interconnected films. Here, though, it was surprising to closely observe the distinct character represented by each film as we swept through the entire MCU from Iron Man to Avengers: End Game.
A standout was the first Captain America entry from 2011, where Buc gave a rousing, Technicolor rendition of Alan Silvestri’s playful and brawny score.
As an opportunity to showcase the diversity and energy of the MCU’s many film scores – and this time without being buried in sound effects – the MSO gave a hero’s performance that keenly serves the legacy of cinema’s greatest heroes.
Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience performs at Hamer Hall until Saturday 18 October. Get your tickets here.
