Hans Zimmer & Friends: Film Review

Paul Dugdale’s Hans Zimmer & Friends is an amazing tribute to his compositions and the power of film and music.

His influence in the way we perceive film scores nowadays cannot be underestimated.

It should be no surprise, then, that a film concert centred on Zimmer ends up being a rather impressive and entertaining experience. Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert is not only a tribute to the famous musician, but to the concept of composing music for motion pictures. It’s a celebration of creativity, and an excellent selection of some of Zimmer’s most popular themes, all played live at the Coca-Cola arena in Dubai. It’s the perfect movie for film score lovers, but also for those looking for a visually impressive concert experience.

Now, said concert is interspersed with interviews with some of Zimmer’s collaborators, as well as performances set in and around Dubai, especially in desert landscapes. The former can be quite interesting, and feature the likes of filmmaker Christopher Nolan, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actors Zendaya and Timotheé Chalamet, and musicians Billie Eilish and Phinneas. Clearly, all of these people enjoyed and keep enjoying working with Zimmer, and are glad to be part of this quasi-documentary, detailing their experiences crafting music and telling stories with the help of his memorable themes.

Elsewhere, the smaller performances outside the stadium feel like a breath of fresh air, as if director Paul Dugdale was afraid that audiences would get bored of the stadium concert. They feel more intimate, they usually make sense given the music that’s being performed, and they’re usually visually impressive. Take the first scene, in which we see the Dune theme being performed, rather appropriately, on a sand dune, with the first drum beat transporting us to the aforementioned stadium. From the beginning, we get the sense that Dugdale wanted to do something more than a simple concert film, intending to convey the same sense of wonder and excitement with his production as the movies Zimmer has composed for.

This is also evident in the big concert itself. The performances are all energetic, with the musicians and singers looking like they’re really having fun; like they’re feeling the performance, instead of going through the motions. Editing is on point too, usually moving at the rhythm of the music being played, or emphasising certain movements or interactions between players.

And that’s precisely where most of Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert’s power resides: we get the feeling that we’re watching people who are really passionate about their jobs and their art, performing in front of a captive audience. It’s pretty awesome, for example, to watch amazingly talented female musicians playing Wonder Woman’s empowering and powerful theme, or Hans Zimmer himself playing the keyboard, surrounded by, appropriately enough, his friends. The energy and potency of the music and the players come through the screen, something that doesn’t always happen with any old concert film.

If Hans Zimmer & Friends has any flaws, it’s that its pacing can be a bit uneven at times. A couple of interviews feel out of place –especially whenever Zimmer and his colleagues talk about something unrelated to the music that’s about to be played–, and some of the slower themes aren’t too exciting to see being played live. Still, if you’re fans of the films Zimmer has composed for, you will appreciate the way Dugdale shows Man of Steel’s main soaring theme, for example, or The Lion King’s emotionally potent music. It’s powerful stuff, especially if you remember these scores from your childhood or adolescence.

At more than two and a half hours in length, Hans Zimmer & Friends is a rather long concert film; a bit too long, perhaps, for impatient viewers. But considering the wealth of music at hand and the appearance of renowned filmmakers and musicians talking with Zimmer about their experiences, I don’t believe there’s a lot that could have been deleted from the movie. Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert is one of the most impressive concert films or music documentaries I’ve ever seen, and the ultimate proof of the composer’s relevance and talent. Cinephiles and soundtrack lovers alike will feel like they’re in heaven.

Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert will be available to watch on digital platforms September 19, 2025